Questions for veterans of Adderall (amphetamine)

[mrb3000]

I guess my questions has two parts.

1. How many of you are using the name brand Adderall vs. a generic dextloamphetmine? I'm asking because I often feel like I get pills of generic that are of different strengths. I heard from a health care provider that name brands have stricter tolerances for bioavailability of the drug. I am think of changing to name brand and see how that goes.

2. How many of you are using extended release vs. two pills a day? When I take an extended release in the morning I want to go to bed by 5 pm which is not reasonable. So I get two pill and delay taking the second one until noon, but then I don't sleep as well at night. How do you guys manage this?

MRB3000

[LaughingLatka]

hi mrb3000, I just started taking 20mg of Adderall IR twice a day and I have a similar issue with not being tired. I take my first dose usually by 9:30 and have a second one around 3:30. All in all I like it, but that is the challenging part. How does it make you feel? Are you able to focus more and block our distractions?

[mrb3000 in reply to LaughingLatka]

For sure I would move that 3 o'clock down to 11:00AM or noon. As for how it makes me feel. It is not a magic bullet, but there is significant improvement. I have been on two 15mg a day, or 30 mg a day for about a year now with occasional breaks. I don't want o increase because my irritability also increases, so there needs to be some balance.

[BlessedLady]

Have you tried one extended release in the morning and one immediate release in the afternoon ? Brand is better than generic. Unfortunately, few, if any insurance companies will pay for brand when generic is made due to the cost

[mrb3000 in reply to BlessedLady]

So that is a thought. IR in the morning and Normal release at noon. It is worth a shot.

[NYCmom2 in reply to mrb3000]

I have a similar approach with extended release in the morning. Then in the afternoon, if my evening schedule is demanding, I take a super low dose (for me it’s 5 mg) immediate release as a “booster” to get me through the evening but not so much that it affects my sleep.

My son also has ADHD and takes only the morning extended release medication. His Dr tells us that once he’s in high school and the homework becomes more demanding he often prescribes this “homework helping” booster.

[mrb3000]

A bit off tangent, but I have had much improvement with micro dosing as explained by Dr. james Fadiman. Three months of huge improvement, but I have not tried without the stimulant yet. Soon though.

[FindingTheAnswers]

Hi. I have (2) 30mg IR per day-generic. I break them in 1/2 and take as needed. Usually the 1st dose ids when I get up, then other doses as needed. I haven't had Name Brand Adderall in years-but I've had a good response with generics. At least for the generics, the IR lasts 3-4 hours and the XR lasts 5-6 hours. I've been told I have a fast metabolism, but I can't compare it to name brand Rx. I've always had a problem with insomnia, and so I don't believe it affects my sleep (sometimes I can take a small dose of aprox 7.5mg and sleep better-because my mind isn't running 100 mph?).

-This is from an earlier Post 4 months ago: I believe every manufacturer has to 'Tweek' the formula slightly to stay away from Patent rights. I have this problem with generic Ambien for sleep. Most of the generics for Ambien don't work for me, and of course, the insurance companies don't want to pay for name brand Rx. Keep trying and find what works for you. You'll need to ask the pharmacy which drug maker supplies them for your generic Rx. Otherwise you could go to a different drug store and end up getting your Rx from the same manufacture that doesn't work for you. This may take a while. Hang in there.-

There's a string of replies on the same Post from above. The whole Post can be found at: Different manufacturers’s generic Adderalls work differently to you as well? by Leomypup•4 months ago•12 Replies

[Jozlynn]

Hello mrb3000!

1. I take the name brand, it's all my insurance covers - ironically enough.

2. I take a 30 mg XR in the morning and a 5 mg IR in the early afternoon. I work a fulltime job and and in the process of starting my own business, so I can't afford to just putter out around 5:00 PM, but I am very empathetic to that. The 5 mg IR gets me over the hump so I can keep working.

Best of luck finding the right dosage!!!

[mrb3000]

Jozlynn, This sounds like gold a golden idea. Take a large extended release in the morning and a smaller one in the afternoon. Brilliant. I to own my own business. I am a woodworker and build fine furniture. This Advice, is the first advice I am going to approach my doctor with.

[Jozlynn in reply to mrb3000]

Hi mrb3000! Just wondering if you were able to get your meds sorted in a way that was effective without messing with your sleep.

[mrb3000 in reply to Jozlynn]

yea and no. The 30 XR and 5 IR was working great … until I relapsed so I am taking a break for a bit.