Can you drink coffee on Azstarys?

In this article:

• Azstarys and coffee
• Azstarys and taste
• Coffee and other ADHD meds
• Best practices for Azstarys
• The bottom line

In this article

• Azstarys and coffee
• Azstarys and taste
• Coffee and other ADHD meds
• Best practices for Azstarys
• The bottom line

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is commonly associated with children. However, an estimated 15.5 million adults in the United States currently have an ADHD diagnosis, half of whom were diagnosed in adulthood, according to the CDC. All that to say, there are plenty of people taking medication for ADHD who also start their day with a cup of coffee. 

One commonly prescribed drug for ADHD is Azstarys, which is a combination of serdexmethylphenidate and dexmethylphenidate. Azstarys is a central nervous system (CNS) stimulant that’s meant to increase attention and reduce impulsiveness and hyperactivity in people with ADHD. It’s recommended to take this medication in the morning (read: the same time as your daily joe), so its benefits last throughout the day.

While coffee won’t hinder the effectiveness of Azstarys, you should be mindful of the amount you consume while taking this medication. Here’s why.

Save up to 80% on Azstarys with SingleCare

Different pharmacies offer different prices for the same medication. SingleCare helps find the best price for you.

Azstarys 39.2-7.8 mg (30 Capsules)

23666 - Hampton, VA

$385.07

i Price with signup

Get free coupon

$385.07

i Price with signup

Get free coupon

See Azstarys prices at all pharmacies

Can you drink coffee on Azstarys? 

“It’s generally advised to limit or avoid caffeine while taking any stimulant medications,” says Jason Kellogg, MD, psychiatrist and Medical Director of Hotel California by the Sea in Orange County, California. The reason? Caffeine is also a stimulant, so combining the two could exacerbate the side effects of Azstarys. 

“This could potentially lead to effects like increased heart rate, anxiety, insomnia, or jitteriness, particularly in sensitive individuals,” explains Ozan Toy, MD, psychiatrist and Chief Medical Officer with Telapsychiatry, a virtual mental health practice. That’s because “both substances cause these effects directly,” Dr. Toy continues. Additionally, both Azstarys and coffee cause decreased appetite, which could result in unintended weight loss when combined.

In other words, while there’s not a direct interaction between coffee and Azstarys, the two together can exacerbate their common side effects. So if you’re prone to getting jitters or having trouble sleeping from drinking coffee alone, there’s a strong chance you’ll experience these side effects from combining it with Azstarys. That said, there are some important considerations:

• The amount of caffeine: Stick with the FDA-recommended limits of less than 400 mg daily, which is about two to three 12-ounce cups of coffee daily, depending on how strong your brew. Avoid large amounts of caffeine, such as from caffeine pills or energy drinks. If your standard two cups of coffee are making your side effects worse, you can drop your intake to one cup or switch the second to decaf. 
• The dose of Azstarys: Higher doses of stimulant medication carry a greater risk of side effects, which could increase when combined with caffeine. Dr. Kellogg suggests spacing out your medication and your coffee to reduce symptoms, such as waiting at least an hour after taking your Azstarys before drinking your first cup of coffee.
• The preexisting medical conditions: The most serious side effects of combining these two stimulants are increased heart rate and high blood pressure. People with a personal or family history of circulation problems, heart disease, or other heart problems may need to avoid caffeine completely if taking a stimulant medication.

If you don’t experience any side effects from caffeine, you should be okay to consume some while taking the ADHD medication. “Everyone is different, and some may be more susceptible to the effects of caffeine combined with ADHD medications than others,” Dr. Toy notes. The safest bet is to seek medical advice from your provider and then try a trial period to determine how exactly the two are affecting you. 

“If ADHD makes it difficult for you to recognize or recall, keeping a log of symptoms and comparing when you had caffeine and refrained would be beneficial for reviewing,” Dr. Kellogg adds.

Does coffee taste different while on Azstarys?

If your go-to coffee drink tastes a little different after taking Azstarys, it’s not in your head. In fact, it’s likely a result of dry mouth, which is a common side effect of most stimulant medications used to treat ADHD, including Azstarys. 

“Dry mouth may change the oral balance of the mouth, especially the taste buds’ capabilities,” Dr. Kellogg explains. “Individuals will try to eat their favorite foods after saliva hasn’t been properly produced, and they often notice a difference (even a metallic taste).”

Does coffee interact with other CNS stimulants?

There are many different treatment options for ADHD, including both stimulant and nonstimulant medications. In general, coffee will interact with any stimulants the same way as Azstarys, potentially worsening or exacerbating side effects like anxiety and changes in blood pressure or heart rate. Common stimulants that could interact with coffee include:

• Adderall (amphetamine/dextroamphetamine)
• Ritalin (methylphenidate)
• Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine)
• Focalin (dexmethylphenidate)

Nonstimulant options are less likely to interact with and are thought to be safer to combine with caffeine, such as:

• Strattera (atomoxetine)
• Qelbree (viloxazine)
• Kapvay (clonidine extended-release) 
• Intuniv (guanfacine extended-release)

“Non-stimulant replacement medications may have a lower likelihood of interaction and are thought to be safer taken with caffeine,” Dr. Kellogg says. 

Best practices for taking Azstarys

To get the most benefits with the fewest side effects, experts recommend the following strategies for taking Azstarys:

• Take it in the morning: “To maximize the efficacy of Azstarys, take it in the morning, as directed, to align with the medication’s peak effectiveness during daytime hours,” Dr. Toy says. 
• Be consistent: Azstarys can be taken with or without food, and should be taken around the same time every day. 
• Prioritize sleep: “Maintain a consistent sleep schedule and avoid late-day dosing of Azstarys and/or caffeine to ensure quality rest,” Dr. Toy adds. 
• Drink lots of water: “Stay hydrated to avoid dehydration and minimize dry mouth.”
• Avoid certain foods close to your dose: “Coffee, soda, and even vitamin C supplements have an acidity that interferes with stimulant absorption,” Dr. Kellogg says. “High-fat foods may also delay medication’s immediate release.” You don’t have to eliminate them from your diet; just eat them later in the day.
• Share a complete list of all prescription medicines and over-the-counter supplements with your healthcare team: Azstarys has some drug interactions, such as with monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) and certain antihypertensive drugs (medicines used for high blood pressure). 

The bottom line

Ultimately, it is generally safe to drink coffee or other caffeinated beverages while taking Azstarys for ADHD. Caffeine won’t hurt the drug’s ability to do its job. But if you tend to react strongly to caffeine, experiencing side effects like jitters, anxiety, or a quickened heart rate from a cup or two, there’s a good chance that combining coffee with Azstarys (or any of the other stimulant medications frequently prescribed to treat ADHD) is going to make these symptoms worse and you might want to shift your habits accordingly. 

That said, every person is different. It’s important to listen to your body and maintain active communication with your healthcare provider to develop a personalized ADHD treatment plan that fits you and your lifestyle.