whether patients on stimulants for ADHD can take cough, cold, and allergy meds containing decongestants
April 2011
We're getting questions about whether patients on stimulants for ADHD can take cough, cold, and allergy meds containing decongestants.
Both stimulants (methylphenidate, etc) and decongestants (pseudoephedrine, etc) can increase blood pressure and heart rate...so combining them might increase cardiovascular risk further.
Recommend an alternative to oral or nasal decongestants for patients taking stimulants. Suggest a nasal saline spray for congestion due to colds...and a nasal steroid for chronic rhinitis.
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