Cold Medications Safe To Take With Adderall And Zoloft

It can certainly be tricky trying to find safe over-the-counter cold medications when taking prescription drugs. This is especially true for medications such as Zoloft (sertraline) and Adderall (amphetamine salts), which affect numerous neurotransmitters in the body. 

We have written extensively on cold medication use with Adderall and Zoloft. Those articles can be found here:

• Cold Medications With Adderall
• Cold Medications With Zoloft

Below is a short recap of those articles.

Cold Medications To Avoid On Adderall And Zoloft

It is true that the one class of medications you nearly always want to avoid are MAOI drugs, which stands for Monoamine oxidase inhibitors. Although there are a few concerns with MAOIs, we are generally most worried about hypertensive crisis (dangerously high blood pressure) when used with CNS stimulants (such as Adderall) or drugs that affect neurotransmitters (such as Zoloft).

Other medications that should be avoided, or at the very least used with extreme caution include:

• Dextromethorphan
• Sudafed
• NSAIDs
• Alkalinizing agents

Dextromethorphan

Dextromethorphan should be used cautiously with Zoloft. Dextromethorphan can have serotonergic properties (i.e. affect the neurotransmitter serotonin), especially when used in high doses. There have been rare reports of serotonin syndrome, a rare, but serious medical condition.

Although Adderall may have mild serotonergic effects too, there isn't much concern about combining it with dextromethorphan.

Sudafed

Sudafed (pseudoephedrine) should be used cautiously with both Adderall and Zoloft. Sudafed is a CNS stimulant and can raise blood pressure and increase heart rate, as Adderall can do as well. In addition, Sudafed has rare reports of QT prolongation, a type of arrhythmia. Zoloft has been associated with arrhythmia, although rarely, in certain patients.

NSAIDs

NSAIDs include Advil (ibuprofen), Motrin and Aleve. They can increase the risk of gastrointestinal bleeding when taking SSRIs, such as Zoloft.

Alkalizing agents

Antacids, such as Tums, can increase the absorption of Adderall, potentially increasing side effects.

Cold Medications Safe To Take With Adderall And Zoloft

Antihistamines

Acetaminophen

Mucinex (Guaifenesin)

Zinc/Vitamin C

Cough Drops/Honey

Final Words