Adderall in the morning and coffee in the evening.

[Pianoplayer28]

My psychiatrist prescribed me Adderall (10mg) once a day. It tapers down after 1pm, which sucks because I feel that it is working for me so well! I try to drink strong coffee but it does nothing for me. I still drink it because I feel like I need to use something to help me stay focused and to give me energy. Even though it’s minimal… I use to take a shot of tequila every now and then but that doesn’t do anything either. And what I realize is that the stimulant gives me something that other things can’t give me. It’s like apples and oranges. If I drink a lot of coffee it will still not give me that same clarity as the stimulant would. People tell me all the time that that is how people abuse stimulants because they need more. Not me, I am not an abuser of medication. Never will be, it’s too important for me. So what should I do once 1pm hits?

[Gettingittogether]

Coffee is not a substitute for a stimulant. Tell your provider that the effect wears off early afternoon. The provider should give you an extended release version or a second prescription for an afternoon pill.

I take methyphenidate ... no way does one pill get me through the day. I take a second in the afternoon.

Do you not trust your provider? Always bring that info to them. It can take a year or more of adjusting medication before you reach your optimal medication and dosage. And frankly, part of the treatment is telling the provider what's going on, including that you're using caffeine to get you through.

[Pianoplayer28 in reply to Gettingittogether]

I trust my psychiatrist very much, I have an appointment scheduled on the 17th so I will be sure to let him know all of these things. Thank you for the information! It helps me know more options

[NekoRae in reply to Pianoplayer28]

Yeah, if you are on regular Adderall, then usually you are prescribed two doses a day because each one only lasts 4-6 hours. If you are on XR, then you may need a higher dose. Definitely talk to your doctor. It's good it's working for you for those few hours though!

[FindingTheAnswers in reply to NekoRae]

For me, Adderall IR (generic) lasts about 3-4 hours. XR lasts about 5-6 hours. But, we all have our own brain, body, body chemistry which makes us unique. As Gettingittogether mentions, he takes methyphenidate. It has no affect on me, but it works for him. -Pianoplayer28, if you're taking IR (Instant release), tell the Dr what's going on and ask for either (2) 10mg or (1) 20mg. The 20mg, just break it into 2 pieces. (1) 10mg for morning and the other 10mg at 1pm. You may still feel it taper off again in the evening. For some people, another dose at that time may mess up their sleeping (and Dr's worry about that). But you may again benefit from a smaller dose early in the evening. Sometimes I'll take 5mg at bedtime which actually helps me sleep better. Again, we all have different chemistry.

From all that I've read, which Rx, and especially the dosage is all trial and error. Your Dr may have a starting point (dosage), but it has to be adjusted from there. Male/Female, weight, age, etc, whatever-every person is, again, unique.

You're on the right path. Keep going.

[lovemypups2020 in reply to Pianoplayer28]

I echo this. My prescriber did the same thing to me when I was titrating. I think its a common practice but dang was it distracting! Definitely talk to them about the dosage/times that you take it everyday.

[AuDHD3245]

Take the adderall at about 1pm if it's wearing off. Coffee in the morning?