Because of its dehydrating tendencies, stimulants may deplete your potassium stores. Other common nutrient deficiencies in patients with ADHD include vitamin D, zinc, and magnesium. Common stimulant prescriptions include Adderall, Vyvanse, Concerta, Metadate, and Ritalin.
Drug-Induced Nutrient Depletion is Widespread
Many drugs, such as the stimulants Ritalin (methylphenidate) and Adderall, are prescribed for attention deficit disorder. These can reduce appetite. This, in turn, decreases the intake of beneficial nutrients.
These studies have also shown that MA toxicity is highly dependent on dose, route of administration, and the frequency with which the drug is taken. Long-term use of MA may deplete dopamine levels, decrease dopamine receptors, and lower dopamine transporter levels (Yang et al., 2018).
The largest body of evidence demonstrates stress-induced depletion of magnesium and zinc, although several studies (both human and animal) demonstrate the effects of stress on calcium and iron concentrations.
Stress and anxiety: Magnesium plays an important role in regulating the body's response to stress. Chronic physical or mental stress depletes your body of magnesium, and low magnesium levels intensify stress — creating a vicious cycle.
Some studies have found people experiencing anxiety have lower levels of vitamin B12, and that people with anxiety and depression at more likely to have a vitamin B12 deficiency.
Because of its dehydrating tendencies, stimulants may deplete your potassium stores. Other common nutrient deficiencies in patients with ADHD include vitamin D, zinc, and magnesium. Common stimulant prescriptions include Adderall, Vyvanse, Concerta, Metadate, and Ritalin.
Hypomagnesemia occurs with both loop diuretics (furosemide, bumetanide, torsemide, and ethacrynic acid) and thiazide diuretics (chlorothiazide, hydrochlorothiazide, indapamide, and metolazone).
Steroids and Antidepressants
Imipramine, a tricyclic antidepressant, and Zoloft, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) deplete magnesium. In brain and mood health, if you do not have enough magnesium, serotonin levels in your brain suffer.
Stimulants like alcohol and nicotine can also deplete magnesium levels by preventing absorption. Diet changes can help restore some magnesium levels, but the patients who are on magnesium-depleting types of medications also need a magnesium supplement.
Long-Term Effects of Adderall
A weakened immune system and insomnia are other long-term impacts. It is important to discuss the long-term effects of Adderall with a doctor before using it. The drug should never be used more than prescribed.
Stimulant drugs like methylphenidate (Ritalin) and amphetamine/dextroamphetamine (Adderall) make you less hungry and make your body burn calories faster than usual. Some of them are even used to help people lose weight or treat binge eating.
People who misuse high doses of Ritalin every day can become paranoid or hallucinate. This seems to go away when they stop using the drug but this may take some time. Sometimes these effects don't completely go away.
Many medications—such as medications for ADHD—deplete magnesium. So does the intake of alcohol, caffeine and soft drinks.
Magnesium deficiency is diagnosed via a blood test and sometimes a urine test. Your doctor may order the blood test if you have symptoms such as weakness, irritability, abnormal heart rhythm, nausea and/or diarrhoea, or if you have abnormal calcium or potassium levels.
Stimulant medications can also lead to dehydration. Adults should drink between 9 and 13 cups of water a day to stay hydrated.
Since citric and ascorbic acid (vitamin C), in either supplements, juices, or foods can prevent absorption of ADHD stimulant medication, try taking the medication on an empty stomach, and avoid vitamin C an hour before and after taking medication.
Key points about vitamin B12 deficiency anemia
Symptoms include weak muscles, numbness, trouble walking, nausea, weight loss, irritability, fatigue, and increased heart rate. Treatment may include vitamin B12 supplements. It is also important to eat a well-balanced diet.