Does Adderall Break A Fast?

The short answer is no. Adderall does not contain any nutrients or calories that would cause it to break a fast.

In fact, Adderall can even help improve focus and concentration during a fast, making it an ideal medication for those who are fasting for religious or weight loss reasons.

What is Adderall?

Adderall is a prescription-only medication that is often used for the management of ADHD and narcolepsy. It is a central nervous system stimulant that works by increasing the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain.

These chemicals are responsible for regulating mood, motivation, and focus.

Does Adderall Contain Calories?

Tablet preparations of Adderall do not contain any calories. However, other forms such as the Adderall XR extended-release capsules do contain small amounts of sugars and other ingredients that may have caloric value.

Adderall is also available in syrup form, which is sweetened to make the taste more palatable, and hence – usually has some amount of sugar in it.

Will Adderall Raise Blood Glucose Or Insulin Levels?

There aren’t many studies showing the relationship between Adderall consumption and blood sugar levels. However, one study did report that related compounds could lead to a reduction in fasting blood glucose levels, as well as an increase in insulin release from the pancreas.

This means that taking your medication in the morning as is normally prescribed will not cause an increase in blood glucose levels, but will do the opposite and lower blood sugar.

Will Adderall Affect Autophagy?

There is no evidence that shows Adderall usage will stop autophagy. However, since studies of this nature are limited, it is fair to assume that autophagy will continue at the normal rate as it would as when in the fasted state.

Can I Use Adderall on Fasting Days?

Adderall is a prescription medication and should be used exactly as was prescribed to you by your physician. This includes days that you are fasting.

Yes, it can safely be taken on days that you are fasting as there are no adverse effects to report from consumption under such conditions. In fact, it is even usually prescribed to be consumed first thing in the morning on an empty stomach.

Final Words

Adderall is a medication that does not exert a significant net difference on your goal of fasting. It does tend to reduce blood sugar levels, but apart from that, there is no evidence that it has any significant caloric value or will affect autophagy.

Adderall can actually be beneficial for some people who are fasting as it can help with focus and concentration, which tend to suffer when calories are limited.

Curious what else might break your fast? Read these:

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Michael Jessimy, BSc(Pharmacy)

Michael is a qualified Pharmacist with over 10 years experience dealing with a range of both prescription and alternative remedies. He is also an amateur heavyweight bodybuilder and loves spending his spare time hitting the gym. He strives to help others build the best body possible through fitness, health and nutrition consultation and has several published books under his name.

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