I take Adderall IR- is there something better?

[etkearne]

I have been on Adderall IR, first at 10mg b.i.d., now at 15mg b.i.d. I feel that this dose works really well for what it is prescribed for (both A.D.D. and depression). The only problem is that around 6 p.m. or so, every day, I get a "crash" and feel quite ragged down. It is a shame, since most social interaction occurs after that time of day!

I think I might be on to somthing when I read that Adderall's ration of l-amphetamine to d-amphetamine increases as it drops in concentration. And, l-amphetamine is implicated in the "crash" from what I gather. Is there another medication I could discuss with my pdoc? I know there is a d-amphetamine only med Dexedrine, and another similar one, a prodrug Vyvanse. Any experiences with the crash on these meds?

I also have already tried Methylphenidate. It wasn't strong enough.

Thanks for the advice.

[Velvet Elvis]

You might want to try one of the sustained release amphetamine formulations, either Dexedrine spansules, or Wellbutrin XL (I think it's called).

There are also a number of sustained release methylphendidate preparations that might be worth a try.

IR formulations of stimulants pretty much guarantee a crash though.

[mj1127]

I don't know that even any of the long acting stimulants are going to get you past 6pm if you take them in the morning. Vyvanse will get you about to 6, but you would probably need Adderall IR to get you further. If methylphenidate was not strong enough for you, Dexedrine will not be either (in my experience it is the mildest feeling of the stimulants). Adderall XR will get you about 8hrs, but would also require a supplementary Adderall IR to get you through the evening. Most pdocs will not prescribe much more than one long acting and one short acting because of concerns about sleep with stimulants taken too late in the day, and because you start to approach dose limits for ADD/ADHD

[notfred]

I took dexadrine spansules, 15 mgs on waking and 20 mgs at noon-ish and that carried me through to bedtime. The right time to take the 2nd dose was key.

nf

[etkearne]

Thanks for the responses so far. From what you have suggested, I've already been on Wellbutrin XR. It seemed to work for about a week, then stopped. I still can't explain that haha. As for extended release Methyl., I have taken both Ritalin IR and Concerta. I was at the highest dose of Concerta (54mg I believe) and it helped, but not enough. So, I was switched to 15mg b.i.d. Adderall, which, like I said, works great except for the crash.

I have a question about Adderall XR. Why do they only have doses up to 30mg, whereas IR has pills up to 30mg, intended for taking it twice a day? What do individuals who need 60mg of the medicine do? I can't picture the doctor prescribing two extended release capsules a day.

As for Dexedrine, that sounds like it is worth looking into, at least the spanules. Like the poster above, timing of the second dose is key.

It seems like if I take my 15mg IR at 830, which is about 30 minutes after waking up, it helps my symptoms until noon or so. Then I take the next dose around 1230 or 100. That lasts a bit longer, since there is still some of the first dose left in the bloodstream. But, usually by 630, I am cranky and just want to go to bed, which is not good.

I don't want to go up in dose of the Adderall since it is harsh on one's body, etc., so please continue to help me think of things. THANKS!!

[SashaSue]

I used to take 60mg of adderall XR, one in the morning, another early afternoonish. None of the four pdoc's I saw during that time had a problem prescribing it.

[notfred]

I Dexedrine will not be either (in my experience it is the mildest feeling of the stimulants).

Adderall is d-amphetamine just like Dexadrine. (plus l-amphetamine) and the major difference, other than d and l isomers in 2 salts each, is the time release system. Adderall is a resin while Dexadrine Spansule has 3 stages (I think 3, could be 2 or 4) of time release coted pellets. I'll is all amphetamine, folks.

nf

[etkearne]

I used to take 60mg of adderall XR, one in the morning, another early afternoonish. None of the four pdoc's I saw during that time had a problem prescribing it.

So maybe what I need is 15mg Adderall XR b.i.d. instead of 15mg Adderall IR b.i.d. That actually makes quite alot of sense and I don't know why I had not thought of it. Thank you. It makes perfect sense for my situation, since I want the effects of the Adderall to last into the evening, even though this is undesirable in children. Me, taking it for ADD and depression means that the med should be present most of the day, not just the work/school day. I will run this through the pdoc when I see him on the 29th.