Why Your ADHD Medication Stopped Working
You've been taking your Adderall, Vyvanse, or Concerta faithfully, and it was working great—until it wasn't. Now you're wondering: Did I build up a tolerance? Is the medication broken? Or is something else going on?
Track what's affecting your medication
Take the Med Check AssessmentIt's Not Always Tolerance
While true pharmacological tolerance does occur with stimulants, research suggests it's less common than people think. Often, what feels like tolerance is actually one of these factors:
Sleep Debt
Even one night of poor sleep can significantly reduce how well stimulants work. Chronic sleep deprivation makes it worse.
Increased Stress
High stress depletes dopamine, making your medication work harder to achieve the same effect.
Hormonal Changes
For women, estrogen levels affect stimulant metabolism. Many notice medication works differently throughout their cycle.
Diet Changes
Vitamin C and acidic foods can reduce absorption. High-protein meals can affect timing.
Dehydration
Being even mildly dehydrated affects cognitive function and can make medication seem less effective.
Life Changes
New job, relationship stress, or increased demands mean you need more from your medication.
Signs of True Tolerance
True pharmacological tolerance has specific patterns:
- •The medication worked well initially, then gradually declined over weeks/months
- •Duration of effect has shortened noticeably
- •Higher doses are needed to achieve previous effects
- •Other factors (sleep, stress, diet) have been ruled out
What To Do About It
1. Track Your Patterns
Before assuming tolerance, track sleep, stress, diet, and medication timing for 2 weeks. You might find the real culprit.
2. Talk to Your Prescriber
Don't adjust doses yourself. Your doctor might suggest dosing changes, medication holidays, switching formulations, or adding adjunct treatments.
3. Address the Basics
Prioritize sleep, manage stress, stay hydrated, and eat regularly. These fundamentals can restore medication effectiveness without dose changes.
4. Consider Medication Holidays
Some people find weekend breaks help maintain effectiveness. Only do this with your doctor's guidance—it's not right for everyone.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did my ADHD medication stop working?
ADHD medication can feel less effective due to tolerance, sleep deprivation, stress, hormonal changes, inconsistent dosing, or changes in diet and lifestyle. It's often a combination of factors.
How do I know if I've developed tolerance?
Signs of tolerance include needing higher doses for the same effect, shorter duration of effectiveness, return of ADHD symptoms at previously effective doses, and feeling like the medication does nothing.
Can you reverse ADHD medication tolerance?
Some doctors recommend medication holidays (under supervision) to reset tolerance. Others adjust dosing strategies, switch medications, or add adjunct treatments. Always consult your prescriber.
Track what's affecting your meds
Our Med Check assessment helps identify factors that might be reducing your medication's effectiveness.
Take the Med Check