Does Orange Juice Affect ADHD Medication?
The Big Picture
Consuming orange juice significantly impacts the effectiveness of amphetamine-based medications such as Adderall or Vyvanse, whereas there's a negligible effect on Ritalin or Concerta users, as these medications are more stable in acidic environments.
In Depth
There are actually two major pathways by which orange juice impacts ADHD medication. Firstly, Adderall and Vyvanse are 'ionized' by a small change in acidity caused by Vitamin C. Once they are ionized, its much harder for them to cross the intestinal wall meaning some portion of the dose never reaches the bloodstream. Secondly, and more importantly, Vitamin C is particularly good at turning urine acidic. Once urine is acidic, the kidneys filter out Adderall and Vyvanse and they cannot be reabsorbed. Ending your dose prematurely.
The Science
Acidifying agents such as Vitamin C act as double interactions that impacts both absorption and metabolism. Greatly reducing efficacy.
Ritalin and Concerta have a different mechanism of delivery; unlike Adderall, they do not rely on being recycled in the kidneys. Instead, liver enzymes convert the drug into ritalinic acid immediately. Because ritalinic acid is inactive - its eventual removal by the kidneys has no impact on the medication's effects.
