First i would like to say that i am new here and would like to say Hi to everyone.
Ok, so my question is this: I was diagnosed with ADD and my doc gave me 25 mg XR tabs, taking just one cap in the morning. I have not yet taken one but have been doing research and it seems that this might be a large dose to start with and was wondering if i could open up one of the caps and take half of the little beads inside.
I know that you are not supposed to do this but have read some posts on people doing this and wondered how it worked for them.
So let me know what you guys think about taking a half of the 25 XR or if you think i should just stop worrying and take the whole thing. Thanks everyone

Dont know if this site has been posted before but it talks about all the interactions with adderall. Its pretty informative.


https://www.ppsrx.com/ppsrx/hn/Drug/Mixed_Amphetamines.htm

Two things: 1) Valuing what you've read on the Internet somewhere over what your Doc has told you seems like a really, really bad idea. She's done a workup on you right? I'm guessing that she's learned *something* in 4 years of Med scholls, 3 years of residency ands a few years in practice that you might not be put her a few steps ahead of you and whatever web site you were reading, no? I'd suggest you rethink this very, very carefully. 2) If you still want to divide the caps -AFTER you've talked to your Doc and gotten approval, of course- ther isn't much to it. Dump it out on to a piece of paper and separate the little beads into two equal piles.

OK I hope I make sense

During a recent workshop to keep my license given by a pharmacist I have worked with in the past I brought this very question up as I see it a lot in the forums.

What I was told is that in XR drugs the beads are often the same color and size, so you do not know if your getting a bead that may be immediate release or a time release bead. Another problem is they are the same size but a different color and you don't know which color resembles which release form.

So, the person breaking open a capsule, splitting the beads in half is never getting the same dosage twice sending themselves on a very nasty ride of ups and downs which your body cannot accomodate. From what I've learned from knowledgable people is that this is a very dangerous practice not only to your body but your mental stability as well and I would not advise you follow the advice of anyone over the net pertaining to this practice.

If in doubt always ask your pharmacist when the subject in question pertains to meds.

Good luck,
Cherity

I didnt mean to get people so angry over this question. I am by no means saying that I am smarter than my doc. It was just a question to see if i can talk half cause i am scared of taking so much. I will have to talk to my doc about this.
Another question: If i drink citric acid or orange juice when i take my med will it totally reduce the med so i will not feel it all or will it reduce it by a precentage so that i will feel some of it and it will not be as powerful?

i have read some sites on adderall, and it says it is unwise to open the caps and divide the dose. i would consider asking your doc to lower the dosage. i also found the following on the Yahoo health web site (from the Chadd of northern california newsletter):<tt>

Taking dexedrine or Adderall with an acidic drink like orange juice may reduce its effectiveness.

Taking stimulant medication with a high protein meal will extend its effectiveness.

</tt>take care....<tt>
</tt>

Futs pretty much summed it up. Since there are two different kinds of beads, some with time release, some without, there is no way to effectively separate the doseage in half.

However, I take instant release Adderall, and one of the greatest things about this form of the drug is that every pill is scored with an X pattern, so it can easily be broken into halves or quarters by hand. So I can break my 10mg pill into 2.5, 5, or 7.5mg doses. I find this very useful if I absolutely must take a dose later in the day, such as when I had to make a policy presentation at a dinner a few months ago, and a 5mg dose would be better. In fact, when I first started taking Adderall, my doctor instructed me to break the pills in half and take a 5mg dose each time for the first week to make sure that there wouldn't be any nasty side-effects and so that I wasn't overwhelmed.

Unless there is a specific reason for why you must take the XR version, such as needing a pill that will last all through a school day, you might consider asking your doctor if you can switch to the instant release version, because you feel that the dose is too high and would like to be able to take a lower dose if necessary.

I didnt mean to get people so angry over this question. I am by no means saying that I am smarter than my doc. It was just a question to see if i can talk half cause i am scared of taking so much. I will have to talk to my doc about this.
Another question: If i drink citric acid or orange juice when i take my med will it totally reduce the med so i will not feel it all or will it reduce it by a precentage so that i will feel some of it and it will not be as powerful?


Nobody is angry!!!!! We are just concerned for your physical and mental safety. Remember we too are ADD and have trouble sometimes communicating our feelings and desire to help in words let alone in the toneless world of forums. :faint:

I've heard that citric acid can cause severe stomach upset when taken with Adderal. but, that one is only rumor I have no facts. ;)

Becks, do an advanced search using [adderall and orange juice] and there are lots of results.