Hey all! Long time no see. Well I have been to see my "new" psychiatrist a couple of times now and I asked about switching from Adderall to dexedrine (both fast acting versions). Right now I take Adderall XR 20 mg in the morning and then if I need an extra boost in the afternoon (most days), I will take a fast acting Adderall 20 mg. For the 'switch' to Dexedrine, my psychiatrist prescribed 5 mg Dexedrine to "replace" the 20mg Adderall .

Is this a normal switch? I've been reading that 1/4 of Adderall is in fact dextroamphetamine, which in this case my Adderall dose would be 5mg dex... However, what about the other 15mg? Anyway, I tried it and I felt nothing. I know you aren't supposed to "feel" the medicine working, but I just did not feel as "sharp" as I would on Adderall .

I called to ask my psych about upping the dose of dex and naturally, he is on vacation. Anyways... I would appreciate some feedback on this to see what you guys think... If you've had similar experiences and whatnot. Thanks so much!!:)

Dexedrine is slightly stronger than Adderall because dextroamphetamine is more potent than the other components in Adderall on a mg for mg basis. But it isn't a huge difference - maybe 20% - so I would expect 15mg of dexedrine to feel similar to 20mg of Adderall - roughly. Your Doctor may be trying to work you up to the right dosage? Why did you ask to switch from Adderall to dexedrine? Just curious.

Well for one it is incredibly cheaper with my dad's prescription plan.
90 adderall tabs= about 40 dollars
90 dexedrine tabs= about 10 dollars

I just heard that it was very similar, so the price, plus I thought that this might work even better for me. Ya never know!

Anyway, I'll let you know how it turns out. I'm expecting a phone call from him on Monday.

The price difference if most likely because the Dexadrine is a generic and the Adderall XR is a Brand with no generic available. What about going with regular Adderall (XR is time released while regular is immediate) which is available generically in all strengths? Sounds like his insurance plan is 40.00 for Brand medications and 10.00 for generic.

That's what I thought - Generic dextroamphetamine is way cheaper, and probably just as effective as adderall for most people. In my opinion anyway, the generics are the same - the drug is the same in both - and in many cases may be made in the same reactor as the name brand. The difference in cost is due to marketing costs and increased profit margins. Some people do feel there is a difference, so you may as well.

Hey there again. The two of you did not read my fisrt post thoroughly. I take Adderall XR in the morning no matter what. Then IN ADDITION to the XR, I will take a fast acting Adderall (generic, amphetamine salts). This generic adderall is $40 for 90 pills. The 5mg of dextroamphetamine (generic dexedrine) is about $10. Just a difference in the drug/price. Both are generics.

Don't go generic, its not the best dex out there.

the best dex? what do u mean? wouldn't it be the exact same thing?

how is the dexedrine working out for you? does it feel differenly compared to the XR's?

I'm going back to the dr on wednesday, so i'm trying to get input from people...
Thanks!

btw...i'm glad to be meeting another fellow plano student...
:)

Kevin

You can read this thread for a discussion of generic v. brand name dexedrine.

http://www.addforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=6993

They also discuss the perceived differences between different manufacterers of generic dexedrine.

Greetings. If my name is unfamiliar, you will find it by following the link posted by wheezie above, which I suggest you do.

To update my last post, and respond to some previous posts on the current thread:

1) In spite of what many pharmacists, and the FDA, may tell you, there is indeed often a difference---sometimes dramatic---in quality between brand name drugs and their generic versions. For example, many p-docs will not prescibe any but brand Ritalin because the generics tend to beunreliable. The reasons have to do with things like "bioavailability" and some other fudge factors I won't get into here.

2) Dextrostat is NOT a generic but some pharmacists think it is because it's a lot cheaper than Dexedrine (one reason being that it's available in 10mg instead of just 5mg.)

Actually, Dextrostat is a brand of d-amphetamine put out by Shire. (You wouldn't know that from visiting their website (http://www.shire.com/shirepharma/Products/index.jsp) because they've stopped promoting it in favor of Adderall, their much hotter (and more expensive) amphetamine mix.) But it is, take my word. Potent as Dexedrine, but with a slightly differenct "feel".

3) An even better and cheaper Dexedrine clone is the d-amphetamine made by Mallinckrodt (http://pharmaceuticals.mallinckrodt.com/Products/ProductList.asp?BusinessUnitID=1) (thanks to Downing2Dexies for this tip). I tried it, it works great . PROBLEM: many drugstores don't stock it because it's more expensive than other generic Dexedrine copies, like the one made by Barr. But accept no substitutes! Many druggists will order the Mallincrockrodt from their distributers if you insist on it. Takes a couple days, but it's worth it!

4) Of course, if price is no object, then stick to the Dexedrine. Or if your present generic works for you, by all means ignore me.

5) As for Adderall, my doc put me on it for a time, and I found it to be not only fantastically expensive, but no better than Dextrostat, and not as "pure" feeling in effect, somehow. Others may disagree. But I'm suspicious of all these impressive "scientific" reasons you'll hear why these expensive, gimmicky mixtures work better than the straight stuff. The proof of the pudding is in the eating, I say.

Philidor

Hi Kevin... Sorry I didn't get back to you in time. How did your doctor's appointment go? I'm going back to mine next Monday the 13th. Dexedrine seems to be okay, but like I said before, I think I like the Adderall better (for fast acting help) The XR has been working out nicely for me, taking it on my school days. I've been doing great so far. Feel free to PM me and we can talk more about it if you'd like.

PS- Yeah, it's good to know someone here from Plano too! haha! Talk to you soon.

2) Dextrostat is NOT a generic but some pharmacists think it is because it's a lot cheaper than Dexedrine (one reason being that it's available in 10mg instead of just 5mg.)


Actually, Dextrostat is a brand of d-amphetamine put out by Shire. (You wouldn't know that from visiting their website (http://www.shire.com/shirepharma/Products/index.jsp) because they've stopped promoting it in favor of Adderall, their much hotter (and more expensive) amphetamine mix.) But it is, take my word. Potent as Dexedrine, but with a slightly differenct "feel". Until today I didn't know that Adderall and Dextrostat were made by the same company (feeling dumb now). Wow. The price difference, for me, was amazing because the real Adderall cost me a co-pay of $40, but Dextrostat was only a $10 co-pay and it was twice as many pills, too.

3) An even better and cheaper Dexedrine clone is the d-amphetamine made by Mallinckrodt (http://pharmaceuticals.mallinckrodt.com/Products/ProductList.asp?BusinessUnitID=1) (thanks to Downing2Dexies for this tip). I tried it, it works great . PROBLEM: many drugstores don't stock it because it's more expensive than other generic Dexedrine copies, like the one made by Barr. But accept no substitutes! Many druggists will order the Mallincrockrodt from their distributers if you insist on it. Takes a couple days, but it's worth it! Have you been on both Mallinckrodt's and Dextrostat? Just wondering if you know of how the 2 compare to each other. Are you saying you think Mallincrodt is the best of all generics, or best of all of the dextroamphetamines, including dextrostat and dexedrine? I know that individual response varies of course, but I am just curious of your experience.I tried very hard to get that mallincrodt generic, but no pharmacy would order it for me :( One told me they could do that, and when I got there, they acted like I was crazy and that was not possible to do (diff. employee) :mad: BARR has taken over! I hated their generic Adderall so I said no way would I touch their generic Dex.

5) As for Adderall, my doc put me on it for a time, and I found it to be not only fantastically expensive, but no better than Dextrostat, and not as "pure" feeling in effect, somehow. Could you please elaborate on the differences in how you felt between the two? And was the dosage about the same, or were you on less Dex?

Sorry to ask so many questions! I'll understand if you don't want to answer.

has anyone that is currently taking any dexs taken concerta in the past? I am taking concerta 27mg and its doing squat for me. I was thinking of switching but not sure as to what to switch to. I was considering adderall xr but i am tired of wasting money and time with drug after drug, is this dextrostat generallyconsidered the best ?

Hi,

I've tried ritalin and dexedrine (by Ciba and Celltech)

I find Dexedrine is longer lasting, smoother and reduces my anxiety/fog more than Ritalin (which actually increases my anxiety levels).

SB

anyone else?

For me, Dexedrine works way better than methyphenidate (Ritalin, concerta). Their mode of action is different, and amphetamines have a greater effect on noradrenaline, as well as dopamine. Many people find that one drug works better than the other due to different brain chemistry, etc. The amphetamines will raise your blood pressure more than Concerta, and they may make anxiety worse if you're the anxious type (aren't we all??). Trail and error seems to be the best way to find out what works, I'm afraid to say.

Just a qualifier here...Addreall XR - mixed amphetamine salts is actually a 3:1 mixture of dextroamphetamine:levoapmhetamine.

As to switching from Adderall XR to Dex'....we poor, poor Canadians have had to do that in many cases!! My son(13) got Concerta and needs 72mg after only 20mg of Adderall XR...I switched from 40mg to Dex' 20mg morning and 20mg at 2-3pm. The effects for me are "similar" - but the downside is that if I get busy then I forget to take the afternoon dose and usually remember around 5pm when I become horrible "befuddled" and realise I forgot - it I take it then it's too late to get a good sleep! So I usually go for a Venti Latte with 4 shots of espresso.....enough for the long drive home in heavy traffic!

For me the long acting was "easier".

Hugs if you need them,

lilmama

Can get you get dextroamphetamine spansules in Canada?

Yes of course you can it's from Glaxo Smith Kline......they haven't suspended that one......well yet anyway...lol

Were you wondering for a specific reason Chadwick?

lilmama

is Dexedrine safer than Adderall I personally
regret taking Adderall and should have been on
a lower dose when starting it instead of 20 MG...
I should have started at 5 MG. Also after taking
Adderall with no holidays atleast for XR anyways
is you get reclusion, depression, you sort of lose touch
with what's best for you. Anyways with any of these stimulant
medications make sure you take holidays and if you ever get
reclusion talk to your doc immediately.
Also if you exprience extreme grandious, or if asked,
if you say yes that you do feel a special feeling of like
I don't need this or I'm fine and or just in your own little world...
try with your hardest to stop Adderall completely,
and seek a long vacation from it.

Dexedrine and Adderall should be pretty much the same as far as safety goes - they are so similar. Dexedrine contains dextroamphetamine sulphate only, whereas Adderall contains 25% each of dextroamphetamine sulphate, dextroamphetamine saccharate, amphetamine sulphate & amphetamine aspartate. The differences in practical terms are small and subtle - Adderall is reported to be "smoother".
You don't have to take drug holidays if you don't want to, but if you find that you are depressed, reclusive, loose touch with reality or suffer from illusions of grandure or manic/hyper-manic behaviour you should stop taking it and talk to your doctor, as there is likely something more than ADHD causing problems and Adderal could possibly make it worse.