Can Adderall cause yeast infections?
By
Dr Natalia Marceli Stephanes (PhD)
Author bio
Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes PhD is a Pharmacist with expertise in Drugs Administration and Toxicity; Discovery of New Drugs; Cancer Treatment; Biochemical Analyzes and Hematological Analyzes. She writes and reviews content on these topics.
Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes’ Highlights:
- Pharmacist at the Department of Health of Santa Catarina State, Brazil
- PhD with a focus on oncology treatment
- Years of experience in commercial pharmacy
- Bachelor, Master and PhD degrees in Pharmacy at the Federal University of Santa Catarina
Professional Experience:
From her undergraduate studies to her Master’s and Doctorate degrees in Pharmacy, Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes has participated in numerous scientific studies in the field of oncology and onco-hematology at the University Hospital of the Federal University of Santa Catarina, Brazil. Her research has focused on understanding the molecular and biochemical bases of malignant neoplasms and investigating safer and more effective therapeutic alternatives.
Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes has also served as an assistant professor of haematology for undergraduate students at the Federal University of Santa Catarina. Additionally, she held the position of professor of Hospital Pharmacy at the Qualificar Technical School in Brazil, where she developed instructional materials for use in the Pharmacy Postgraduate Program at the Leonardo Da Vinci University Center.
In addition to her academic experiences, Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes possesses a strong expertise in commercial pharmacy, with in-depth knowledge of medications, their routes of administration, desired effects, adverse effects, and toxicity.
Currently, Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes works as a Pharmacist at the Health Department of Santa Catarina State, where her role entails providing pharmaceutical scientific consulting services to judges.
Education:
- 2016 Bachelor in Pharmacy at the Federal University of Santa Catarina, Brazil
- 2018 Master in Pharmacy at the Federal University of Santa Catarina, Brazil
- 2023 PhD in Pharmacy at the Federal University of Santa Catarina, Brazil
The main publications of Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes are:
Falchetti M ; Delgobo M, Zancanaro H, Almeida K, Das Neves RN, Dos Santos B, Stefanes NM, et al. Bishop Omics-based identification of an NRF2-related auranofin resistance signature in cancer: Insights into drug repurposing. Comput. Biol. Med [Internet]. 2023; 152:106347.
Feuser PM, Matos dos Santos PC, Cordeiro AP, Stefanes NM, Walter LO, Maioral MF, Santos-Silva MC, et al. Antineoplastic activity of free 4-nitrochalcone and encapsulated in poly(thioether-ester) nanoparticles obtained by thiol-ene polymerization in two human leukemia cell lines (Jurkat and K562). J Drug Deliv Sci Technol [Internet]. 2022; 67:102924.
Jacques AV, Stefanes NM, Walter LO, Perondi DM, Efe FL, Souza LFS, Sens L, et al. Synthesis of chalcones derived from 1-naphthylacetophenone and evaluation of their cytotoxic and apoptotic effects in acute leukemia cell lines. Bioorg. Chem [Internet]. 2021; 116:105315.
Duarte BF, Vieira DSC, Lisboa ML, Stefanes NM, Grando LJ, Santos-Silva MC. Características clínico-epidemiológicas de pacientes portadores de carcinoma de células escamosas de boca. Arquivos Catarinenses de Medicina. 2021; 50(2): 232–245.
Machado V, Jacques AV, Stefanes NM, Santos-Silva MC, Biavatti MW. Anti-leukemic activity of semisynthetic derivatives of Lupeol. Nat. Prod. Res. 2021; 35(22):4494-4501.
Bigolin A, Maioral MF, Stefanes NM, Mascarello A, Chiaradia-Delatorre LD, Nunes RJ, Yunes RA, et al. A novel sulfonamide derivative as a strong and selective apoptotic agent against hematological malignancies. Chem. Pap. 2020; 74:2965–2976.
Bigolin A, Maioral MF, Stefanes NM, Zatelli GA, Philippus AC, Falkenberg MB, Santos-Silva MC. Cytotoxic mechanisms of primin, a natural quinone isolated from Eugenia hiemalis, on hematological cancer cell lines. Anticancer Drugs. 2020; 31(7):709-717.
Maioral MF, Stefanes NM, Neufeldt PD, Chiaradia-Delatorre LD, Nunes RJ, Santos-Silva MC. Aldehyde biphenyl chalcones induce immunogenic apoptotic-like cell death and are promising new safe compounds against a wide range of hematologic cancers. Future Med. Chem. 2020; 12(8):673–688.
Perondi DM, Jacques AV, Stefanes NM, Maioral MF, Sens L, Pacheco LA, Cury NM, et al. A novel thiosemicarbazone as a promising effective and selective compound for acute leukemia. Anticancer Drugs. 2019; 30(8):p 828-837.
Rengifo AFC, Stefanes NM, Toigo J, Mendes C, Argenta DF, Dotto MER, Santos-Silva MC, et al. PEO-chitosan nanofibers containing carboxymethyl-hexanoyl chitosan/dodecyl sulfate nanoparticles loaded with pyrazoline for skin cancer treatment. Eur. Polym. J. 2019; 119:335-343.
Rengifo AFC, Stefanes NM, Toigo J, Mendes C, Santos-Silva MC, Nunes RJ, Parize AL, et al. A new and efficient carboxymethyl-hexanoyl chitosan/dodecyl sulfate nanocarrier for a pyrazoline with antileukemic activity. Mater. Sci. Eng. C [Internet]. 2019; 105:110051.
Maioral MF, Stefanes NM, Bigolin A, Zatelli GA, Philippus AC, Falkenberg MB, Santos-Silva MC. Miconidine acetate, a new selective and cytotoxic compound with synergic potential, induces cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in leukemia cells. Invest. New Drugs. 2019; 37:912–922.
Srefanes NM, Toigo J, Maioral MF, Jacques AV, Chiaradia-Delatorre LD, Perondi DM, Ribeiro AAB, et al. Synthesis of novel pyrazoline derivatives and the evaluation of death mechanisms involved in their antileukemic activity. Bioorg. Med. Chem. 2019; 27(2):375-382.
Maioral MF, Bodack CN, Stefanes NM, Bigolin A, Mascarello A, Chiaradia-Delatorre LD, Yunes RA, et al. Cytotoxic effect of a novel naphthylchalcone against multiple cancer cells focusing on hematologic malignancies. Biochim. 2017; 140:48-57.
You can view some of Dr Natália’s work below and links to her professional profile below.
Research Gate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Natalia-Stephanes
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nataliamarceli/
Can Adderall cause yeast infections?
No, Adderall does not generally cause yeast infections. This side effect is not reported in clinical trials or any other research studies. However, people may respond differently to medications. If you think you have a yeast infection, talk to your healthcare provider.
Some women may think they have a yeast infection because of vaginal itching. However, skin dryness can also make you feel that way. It’s important to consult a doctor for a proper diagnosis.
Adderall, in general, does not affect your vaginal health or make you susceptible to infections when use properly. While Adderall is a prescription medication to treat attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), it is a controlled substance which should not be used without a prescription. (1,2)
Potential causes of a yeast infection
While Adderall itself does not directly cause yeast infections, there are certain factors that can contribute to an increased risk of developing a yeast infection while taking this medication. These factors include: (3,4)
Weakened immune system: Adderall can potentially suppress the immune system, making it harder for your body to fight off fungal infections like yeast infections.
Hormonal changes: Adderall can affect hormone levels in the body, which may disrupt the balance of yeast and bacteria in the vaginal area, leading to an overgrowth of yeast.
Increased sugar levels: Adderall can suppress appetite and decrease food intake, leading to lower blood sugar levels. However, in some cases, it may also cause increased cravings for sugary foods or drinks, which can contribute to yeast overgrowth.
Antibiotic use: If you’re taking antibiotics along with Adderall, they can disrupt the natural balance of bacteria in your body, including the beneficial bacteria that help keep yeast in check. Common examples include Sulfamethoxazole, Rifaximin, etc.
Poor hygiene: Not practising good hygiene, such as wearing damp or tight-fitting clothing, not changing out of wet swimwear promptly, or using scented products in the vaginal area, can create an environment that promotes yeast growth.
To reduce the risk of yeast infections while taking Adderall, it’s important to maintain good hygiene practices, wear breathable cotton underwear, avoid irritants in the genital area, and manage your blood sugar levels through a balanced diet
How to know you have a yeast infection?
You can know you have a yeast infection if you’re experiencing the following symptoms:
- Vaginal itching and irritation
- Vulvar redness
- Burning sensation
- Painful urination
- Soreness in vagina
- Thick white or water-like vaginal discharge
If you do experience some or all of the above-mentioned symptoms, reach out to your healthcare provider for a confirmed diagnosis.
How to treat a yeast infection?
Yeast infections are treated with antifungal medications as no other medication will work to inhibit the growth of infectious fungi. For vaginal yeast infections, both topical and oral antifungal meds are used.
Topical creams and ointments are preferred for mild infections, whereas stronger yeast infections are treated with oral antifungals, like Fluconazole. Make sure you are certain that you have a yeast infection before you take medication.
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References
1.-
Faraone SV, Biederman J. Efficacy of Adderall for Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: a meta-analysis. J Atten Disord. 2002 Sep;6(2):69-75. doi: 10.1177/108705470200600203. PMID: 12142863. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12142863/
2.-
Fitzgerald KT, Bronstein AC. Adderall® (amphetamine-dextroamphetamine) toxicity. Top Companion Anim Med. 2013 Feb;28(1):2-7. doi: 10.1053/j.tcam.2013.03.002. PMID: 23796480. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23796480/
3.-
R AN, Rafiq NB. Candidiasis. 2023 May 29. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan–. PMID: 32809459. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK560624
4.-
InformedHealth.org [Internet]. Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG); Bookshelf ID: NBK543220. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK543220/
