I am undiagnosed but I know I have ADD. Anyways, I am thinking about getting diagnosed and am curious about what drugs can do for me. I have an ADHD friend who takes Dexedrine and I was wondering if it would be safe and effective to try one of his meds just to see how much of a difference there is.
If it makes a big difference, not only would that confirm to me that I do in fact have ADD but also give me an idea of what its like to think clearly like someone without ADD, which I'd really like to know. I have heard that lots of people discover their ADD by trying their childrens medication or someone elses.. I'd kinda like to try that.

I just want to make sure that it is not going to harm me in any way.
Can any give me any information about this?

Trying someone elses meds is dangerous and may not actually work anyway. So many of the new meds for ADHD take 2 to 4 weeks to build up in your system before you see the full effect that it becomes impossible to just "Try" your friends meds. It's not like taking Excedrin for a headache and you know 2 hours later if it worked.
ALSO
The same medication works differently on everyone. So, while it may work very well for your friend it might not work at all for you. And the side effects could be staggering.

The best advice is to get a formal diagnosis and have a doctor prescribe and monitor your treatment.

I wish I would have had that advice 8 years ago when I was in the same place you are now.

If you do have a bad reaction and get rushed to the hospital both you and your friend will be in legal trouble. Unless your friend plays stupid and says that you stole the medication then you would be in major trouble.

Taking saomewone elses prescribed meds is illeagal and can get you both into trouble. I would wait and formal diagnoses then look at getting drugs.

This would not be a good idea.
It is my understanding that Dex promotes alertness in everyone (that's why truckers used it), not just those of us with ADD, so it would not be a good test anyway. This is aside from all the reasons mentioned above, which I agree with.
Go to your doctor and let him/her decide what would work best for you.

Best wishes.

Ok, I'll take that advice. Thanks everyone.

I'm not sure what Canadian statutes dictate, (which everyone seemed to forget, how they might be different, from US statutes, lol !!! as far as 'legality') but I can safely say, that the ramifications of taking a prescription drug, which is not yours, might cause irreversible damage, at times, physically speaking.
In general, if you aren't diagnosed with ADD/HD, you will be taking a pill, which has the same composition, as either speed/amphetimines (Adderall, Ritalin) or cocaine/methylphenidate (Concerta). So you will go through the same biological effect, as if, you had ingested either compound.
It works differently, if you are diagnosed, as the meds (whether Adderall, Concerta, etc. don't give you that so called 'rush'
Actually, I've been known to yawn alot, on them.
Stratterra is not amphetimine/methylphenidate in compound, so it doesn't have the same restrictions, as Adderall, Ritalin, or Concerta, etc.

I would agree with everyone else. Don't take prescription meds, unless you know what they will do to you, biologically.
Be a little embarassing to end up at a hospital, and have it stated forever, in your medical charts, which follow you everywhere, that you informally 'OD'd, wouldn't it ?

Be smart, sweetie..
Get diagnosed first.
And let me be the first, to let you know...being ADD/HD is 'no picnic, nor fad'...
Nova

The Canadian laws are about the same - perhaps the penalties are less draconian.
I, of course, agree with all of the above - not a good idea to take others meds. We ADHDers have enough trouble getting stimulant meds - primarily due to the illicit use of those meds by others. The DEA, et al, is paranoid enough as it is and if the black market in stimulants gets worse, so with they.
For sure get a diagnosis "keys" - you will be glad you did and you will know for sure. It takes a little while, but once you've got a solid diagnosis in you medical records, you shouldn't have trouble getting treated from then on. Plus, being Canadian, you won't have to cough up $75/hour for a psychiatrist to do the diagnosis - your own GP may even be comfortable diagnosing you, depending on his/her experience, etc.

I'm not a doctor. You ought to see your docotor about trying dexedrine.

You may wish to read the material at this link: http://www.mentalhealth.com/drug/p30-d04.html#Head_3


Here is the bad part...

Dexedrine is a powerful stimulant and an amphetamine. In the 60's it was widely used as a diet pill and abused as "speed". It can be rather addictive, and is easily abused. It has been popular with truck drivers and college students for many years as a "stay awake" drug for those occasional long night vigils. Theraputic levels of dexedrine are not considered "addicitve", but need to be closely monitored by a physician.

Amphetamine is a "schedule 2" drug. This means that it is tightly controlled by law, and you may not posess it without a prescription from a doctor.


Here is the good part....

Quite a few adults have discovered that they might be ADD by trying their child's medication, and subsequently finding that things got "better".. This often prompts them to seek professional advice and the discovery of adult ADD....

If you elect to take dexedrine without the aid of a doctor you are taking a chance of some very bad effects that you might know nothing about without some prior knowledge of the drug.


I would suggest reading up on dexedrine, and learn what it's effects, contraindications, safe dosage and recommended uses are before you try it.

Oh, and if you take dexedrine for any length of time, you probably need to be careful how you stop taking it. That can VERY, VERY bad, as well.

If you can please see your doctor FIRST.

Please read the link below:

http://www.mentalhealth.com/drug/p30-d04.html#Head_3


Me :D


I am undiagnosed but I know I have ADD. Anyways, I am thinking about getting diagnosed and am curious about what drugs can do for me. I have an ADHD friend who takes Dexedrine and I was wondering if it would be safe and effective to try one of his meds just to see how much of a difference there is.
If it makes a big difference, not only would that confirm to me that I do in fact have ADD but also give me an idea of what its like to think clearly like someone without ADD, which I'd really like to know. I have heard that lots of people discover their ADD by trying their childrens medication or someone elses.. I'd kinda like to try that.

I just want to make sure that it is not going to harm me in any way.
Can any give me any information about this?
All about dexedrine (http://www.mentalhealth.com/drug/p30-d04.html#Head_3)