Peptide interaction with ADHD Medication

Skibbidi-S*gma

Skibbidi-S*gma

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Hey everyone,

I'm at a crossroads between tirz and reta right now. Honestly, I'm leaning toward giving at least 1 of them a shot. My goal is dropping 30-40kg.

But lately I've been considering restarting ADHD meds, specifically vyvanse. Back when I was twenty, I got diagnosed with ADHD and stayed on the medication for roughly 7 months before stopping. A big part of that decision came from my parents being against it, plus I wasn't entirely sure there wouldn't be long-term brain effects from continued use. I was also deeply depressed at the time, so I figured maybe what I was experiencing was just depression. The expense of seeing a psychiatrist was another factor (these days GPs can prescribe it).

Now, years down the line (I just turned 25), I feel like I should give them another try. The diagnosis seems legitimate to me since I still have all the symptoms. While medicated, it didn't cure my depression, but it significantly reduced those symptoms. Socializing especially was like night and day. Right now my main worry is my career, so I'm thinking about testing it out.

So my question is: does anyone here have firsthand experience using ADHD meds alongside either of those? Or could someone point me toward any resources that look into this?

Would it maybe be smarter to get lean first, then stop and restart the ADHD meds?
 
It's always a good idea to discuss possible interactions with your doctor.

From what I've experienced combining it with extended release ADHD meds, the effect comes on somewhat later than normal, so I ended up changing the timing of when I took them.
 
maokai said:

It's always a good idea to discuss possible interactions with your doctor.

From what I've experienced combining it with extended release ADHD meds, the effect comes on somewhat later than normal, so I ended up changing the timing of when I took them.
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so the vyvanse hit later? That tracks if digestion is slowed down. Probably best to take it right after getting up.
 
Unless the rules in WA differ from Victoria, I'm fairly certain GPs aren't allowed to prescribe stimulant medication—or at least can't initiate it—unless a psychiatrist has already prescribed it first. Most wouldn't do so anyway without a psychiatrist's recommendation or initiation, just to be cautious, since these drugs carry a fairly high addiction risk. I also believe there are special requirements for GPs even to co-prescribe it, and this is relatively recent, so it's worth checking the official local rules online. Since my psychiatrist is 84 years old, I should probably verify this myself.

Several months before starting ozempic, I began taking dexamfetamine (the same drug as vyvanse, just not the slow-release form) to try to help with treatment-resistant depression—officially for ADHD, which may well be accurate anyway—alongside a couple of other antidepressants. When I started ozempic, it clearly diminished the dexamfetamine's effect. Initially, I could tell a dose had kicked in after a while, but once on ozempic that sensation vanished and the effect was weaker. This is partly from slower absorption and partly because GLP-1 agonists change dopamine signalling in the brain's reward circuitry, reducing the effects. Rodent studies have demonstrated GLP drugs' impact on amphetamine responses, and human studies show they also cut amphetamine abuse. In theory, higher doses could fairly easily overcome this, but given prescribing and dosing restrictions, that's probably not possible. As far as I know, there are strict caps on the maximum doses that can be prescribed.
 
lessthanhalf said:

Unless the rules in WA differ from Victoria, I'm fairly certain GPs aren't allowed to prescribe stimulant medication—or at least can't initiate it—unless a psychiatrist has already prescribed it first. Most wouldn't do so anyway without a psychiatrist's recommendation or initiation, just to be cautious, since these drugs carry a fairly high addiction risk. I also believe there are special requirements for GPs even to co-prescribe it, and this is relatively recent, so it's worth checking the official local rules online. Since my psychiatrist is 84 years old, I should probably verify this myself.

Several months before starting ozempic, I began taking dexamfetamine (the same drug as vyvanse, just not the slow-release form) to try to help with treatment-resistant depression—officially for ADHD, which may well be accurate anyway—alongside a couple of other antidepressants. When I started ozempic, it clearly diminished the dexamfetamine's effect. Initially, I could tell a dose had kicked in after a while, but once on ozempic that sensation vanished and the effect was weaker. This is partly from slower absorption and partly because GLP-1 agonists change dopamine signalling in the brain's reward circuitry, reducing the effects. Rodent studies have demonstrated GLP drugs' impact on amphetamine responses, and human studies show they also cut amphetamine abuse. In theory, higher doses could fairly easily overcome this, but given prescribing and dosing restrictions, that's probably not possible. As far as I know, there are strict caps on the maximum doses that can be prescribed.
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I appreciate you passing along what you've been through.

From what I gather, WA now has some GPs with the right training who are able to take this on. The rationale, as I understand it, was to improve access for rural regions and offer a less expensive option than going through a psychiatrist. That said, it's a recent development (as of early 2026).
 
Yeah, I take both at the same time. Right now that means methylphenidate alongside tirzepatide. Ideally, a GLP1 wouldn't be in the mix while you're still titrating, since it can change both the intensity of the effect and how quickly it starts working. Even so, I began using it before my titration was complete.

I've come across the idea that the IR form of the medication might lessen those problems, though for a few reasons that wasn't something I was willing to try.
 
Before anything else, bring up the slower absorption of medications caused by GLPs with your doctor. That's the main thing to watch out for. On top of that, stimulant meds on their own can drop weight quite quickly, so if you begin with one of those, a GLP might not be necessary at all? A handful of folks I know turned somewhat erratic while on ADHD meds — sudden bursts of anger for no clear reason — which is why I'm not really on board with them, but I hope you find the answers you're after.
 
I'll be honest — part of why I went on dexamfetamine was hoping it would curb my appetite. Back then I'd already dropped 70 kilos without any GLP medication, and I was hungry all the time. Sadly, it made no noticeable difference, although it was up against the hunger that comes with losing a huge amount of weight, which can get pretty severe. Luckily, GLP drugs did help with the hunger, even though they interfered with how the stimulants worked.
 
Skibbidi-S*gma said:


Hi all,

Currently I'm still deciding whether to go with tirz or reta. I think I'm pretty set on at least trying them out. Aiming to lose 30-40kg.

However, I've recently been thinking about hopping back on ADHD medication, specifically vyvanse. I was diagnosed with ADHD when I was twenty and took the medication for maybe 7 months before coming off it. On my part a lot of this was opposition from my parents and I wasn't fully convinced there wouldn't be any long term harm to my brain if I were to keep taking it. At the time I was extremely depressed also so I was thinking that maybe the symptoms were just from depression. There was also the substantial cost of having to see a psychiatrist (now they can be prescribed by GPs).

Years later (recently turned 25) I've been thinking I should hop back on them. I'm pretty sure the diagnosis was legit because I still show all the symptoms. When I was on the medication, while it didn't solve my depression it make a substantial impact on mitigating those symptoms. Social interactions in particular were day and night. At the moment I'm just very concerned for my career more than anything so thinking of giving it a go.

My question then is if anyone has personal experience with taking ADHD meds while on one of the above? Or if there are any resources examining this I could be directed to?

Maybe it would be a better idea to focus on getting lean first and then hop off and go back on the ADHD meds?

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At worst, GLP's effect of slowing gastric emptying means Vyvanse starts working a little later. Its strength isn't reduced, and absorption isn't blocked at all. Practically speaking, if you keep your morning dose at the same time and shift things around as needed so it takes effect when you want it to, there is nothing more to worry about.

Within 2 years of quitting GLP use, 95%+ of people with obesity put the weight back on.

Like insulin for a diabetic, thyroid hormones for someone with hypothyroidism, or testosterone for hypogonadsism, these are exogenous hormones.

After blood sugar is under control, a diabetic doesn't "hop off" insulin. Nobody else using exogenous hormones for a hormone related problem does either.

This isn't a "diet pill". A maintainance dose is required.

Should your insurance cover it, and you should verify this rather than assume yours doesnt, you'd be better off obtaining a prescription while you still qualify, since after you lose the weight, insurance coverage won't be an option later unless you regain enough weight to qualify.
 
To be clear, I'm not saying that combining GLP medications with stimulants is an issue. It does change how they get absorbed and how they act, though that doesn't automatically mean they become ineffective.

Since the OP lives in Australia, insurance typically isn't relevant there. What's available, apart from trying low-dose ozempic at 1mg/w on prescription — which isn't too costly at $145/month, in the diabetic-oriented form that doctors are discouraged from prescribing for obesity but may still choose to — comes down to either very pricey tirz at $690 month for 15mg/w, or black market tirz or reta.

I also agree that, for most people most of the time, GLP drugs address a long-term problem with a long-term solution. Using them to shed weight briefly and then quitting tends to work about as well as any other weight loss approach that gets abandoned after a while — most people regain the weight sooner or later.
 
Vyvanse has been my prescription for inattentive ADHD for the past 14 months, and 6 months ago I added peps. At first the Vyvanse did cause a bit of weight loss, but my appetite returned once my body adjusted to it. I genuinely need Vyvanse to focus, and it has done wonders for my career. Personally, I have not run into any negative interactions. Reta got me past a weight loss plateau, and I am really enjoying a SS31/MOTS-c/NAD+ stack (the energy it gives feels different from stimulants). CJC / Ipa has also been fantastic for deep sleep and post-gym recovery. From my experience, it is all synergy.
 
In a few weeks I'm supposed to begin medication titration. Based on what I've seen on Reddit (yes, I'm aware!), it seems a lot of folks who have ADHD report that the glp1 actually improves their ADHD. I haven't really looked into it or done proper reading on the subject (which I ought to do now that my appointment is on the books), but I can't remember hearing any complaints? Perhaps only that meds get delayed because of slower GI. Could be worth checking there as well (I know!!!).
 
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