You wrote:


"Current medical status: I have taken several antidepressants and stimulants for ADD with mixed results. They all cause cardiac side effects: hypertension, arrhythmia, tachycardia, palpitations and chest pains. I take hypertension medicine to reduce the side effects, but it does not eliminate them.

Current medical treatment: Provigil 200mg, Metoprolol 200 mg, Spironolactone/HCTZ 25/25"



There are 2 main categories of drugs used for treating Attention Deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD):
I. FDA-approved medicines for treating ADHD, and
II. FDA-primary not approved (off-label) medicines for treating ADHD.
The FDA approves the following medications for treating ADHD; these are their generic names:
1. Dextroamphetamine
2. Levoamphetamine
3. Dextromethamphetamine
4. Dextrothreomethylphenidate
5. Levothreomethylphenidate
6. Atomoxetine
Of the FDA-approved medications used to treat ADHD, only Atomoxetine (Strattera, Attentin) reports no data or proof that the medication causes high blood pressure and tachycardia as a side effect. Nonetheless, Atomoxetine does have other side effects.
The second category of drugs contains medicines that can be used for treating ADHD but treating ADHD is not their primary indication according to the FDA. In this category the following can be found:
1. Amantadine-primary known as an anti-viral drug and dopamine-agonist;
2. Amineptine-tricyclic antidepressant drug;
3. Benzphetamine-psychostimulant;
4. Bupropion-antidepressant drug;
5. Clonidine-primary developed as a drug for treating high blood pressure;
6. Modafinil-primary used for treating narcolepsy. This is the drug you are taking now (Provigil);
7. Selegiline-antidepressant
Of these medications, there is no high blood pressure data for Amantadine, Amineptine and Clonidine (except when a person comes off the drug suddenly).
In general, no medication exists without a side effect. You can adapt to live with your disease and side effects from the medications you take because in your case cardiac problems do not seem too heavy and are neutralized by the Metoprolol and Spirinolactone. Nonetheless, you can continue to work with your doctors to identify the best medications possible and to, under supervision, request necessary changes to your treatment plan.