Adderall & Caffeine Pills

Adderall is a stimulant medication prescribed to treat attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD. ADHD affects 4.1 percent of the adult population, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. Symptoms of ADHD include difficulty concentrating and focusing, which Adderall helps to treat. Caffeine pills contain caffeine, which is a drug that also has stimulating effects on the central nervous system. Consult a physician before you make any dietary changes with your medication.

Adderall

A combination of amphetamine and dextroamphetamine is sold in the United States under the brand name of Adderall. Adderall is addictive and has the potential for abuse in some people. It helps people with ADHD concentrate but has some possible serious side effects. Because it is a stimulant, it can cause insomnia and rapid heartbeat. Other serious side effects include fainting, seizures and high blood pressure. Less serious and more common side effects are a headache, dry mouth, loss of appetite and sexual problems.

Combining Adderall and Caffeine Pills

According to Drugs.com, no interactions between Adderall and caffeine pills, or caffeine in any form, have been noted. However, both drugs are stimulants and have similar side effects which can be intensified when combined. Although no contraindication exists, avoid caffeine pills when first starting Adderall to allow time for your body to adjust to the stimulant medication. If you experience any side effects, you will know it is related to Adderall and not a combination of the stimulants.

Anxiety and Insomnia

More than 5 percent of adults and children taking Adderall reported difficultly sleeping. Caffeine pills also disrupt sleeping patterns. Taking caffeine pills before bedtime or throughout the day can cause delayed sleep, less total sleep time or disruptions in sleeping patterns. Even if you take caffeine pills earlier in the day, the medication may still affect sleep. Anxiety is another common side effect of Adderall, affecting more than 5 percent of adults that take it. Some caffeine pills contain extremely high doses of caffeine, which may increase anxiety and induce panic attacks.

Irregular Heartbeat

Tachycardia, a rapid heartbeat, is a relatively common side effect of Adderall. More than 5 percent of adults prescribed Adderall report an irregular heartbeat. According to John Hopkins Bayview Medical Center, high doses of caffeine can also cause tachycardia. A high dose of caffeine is considered 200 mg or more. It is important to research the amount of caffeine in the pills before taking them with any other medications. To prevent any possible interaction between caffeine pills and Adderall, do not take the drugs at the same time.