Justin asked
I took Cold-Eeze daytime cold & flu about 1:00 PM today this morning and I took 60 mg vyvanse and 4mg of Intuniv for ADHD. Is it safe to take that cold medicine when I take Vyvance and Intuniv?
Answer
Cold-eeze, which contains zinc gluconicum (i.e. zinc gluconate), is an over the counter product used to treat the severity and symptoms of the common cold. Due to it's popularity, it is a good idea to check any potential drug interactions between Cold-Eeze and prescription medication.
Fortunately, Cold-Eeze (notabily zinc) does not have many reported drug interactions. It does not have any listed or reported drug interactions between the medications mentioned in your question (Vyvanse and Intuniv). Below, we discuss potential Cold-Eeze drug interactions in detail:
Cold-Eeze Drug Interactions
Anti-diabetic Medication
This is more a "disease state" interaction versus a specific drug one. Studies have shown that zinc may lower blood glucose levels in individuals. While a potentially positive effect for many, there is a risk of hypoglycemia due to the additive effects. Theoretically, dose adjustments to medications that lower blood glucose might be necessary.
Certain Antibiotics
Zinc is a "cation", and carries a positive molecular charge. Certain cations, like zinc and calcium can bind, or chelate to medications, making them less absorbable and potentially less effective. Antibiotics that are susceptible to chelation include:
- Tetracycline antibiotics (e.g. doxycycline)
- Keflex (cephalexin)
- Penicillin
- Cipro (ciprofloxacin)
- Levaquin (levofloxacin)
Certain Antivirals
Similar to some antibiotics, zinc can chelate certain antiviral medications, potentially causing therapeutic failure due to loss of efficacy. These antivirals include:
- Reyataz (atazanavir)
- Tivicay( dolutegravir)
- Norvir (ritonavir)
Additional Information
Cold-Eeze is relatively free from drug interactions and is safe to use in most individuals. There are no reported interaction between Cold-Eeze and Vyvanse or Intuniv.
