Hi, I'm Brian, 28 yrs old, and have had ADD my whole life. I was only diagnosed a year and a half ago, and was put on Ritalin. Just 3 weeks ago, the ritalin seemed to be working less then when i first started. So my doc put me on Adderall, 20mg, 3 times per day. From the getgo, it has had horrible side effects and it was a lot less effective then the ritalin. I've tried it for 3 weeks, hoping my body would adjust, but it hasn't. I can't stand the stuff and stopped taking it 2 days ago. The withdrawal symptoms were so bad, that I couldn't even get out of bed today because I was so tired and out of it. I finally took one dose tonight because I couldn't take it. I know my first mistake was stopping the medication cold turkey. But I don't know at what rate and dosage I should ween myself off of it. Has anyone had experience with this? Please let me know. Thanks.

Hey Brian,

First the usual disclaimer, you should always work w/your doc before discontinuing any prescribed medication. :soapbox:

I'm on Adderall 20mg/3x day. A web site I visit to research my psych drugs is @ crazymeds.org. Go there, scroll about half way down on the left hand side navigation column, and click on "How to Stop Taking Crazy Meds Safely". That'll tell you what you need to know. ;) If you scroll back up a little ways, you'll also find "Adderall" (and all the other stim medications). You'll need to find the half life of Adderall to plug into the discontinuation formula.

After doing A LOT of research, I chose Adderall because it's one of the newer stim drugs that's reportedly "smoother" (no sudden drop off feeling when it's wearing off). Maybe you needed to ease into it a little slower OR you got one of the crappier generic versions. Lots of people hate Barr brand (generic Adderall). I'm taking the generic "Ranbx".. don't remember the "long name", the abbreviation Ranbx is what's on my pill bottle.

One thing I know for sure, for me brand name Adderall is totally different/better than the generics.. way smoother and I don't have to take as much of it, but it flippin' costs 3-4 times more. If you go to the manufactuer's, Shire, web site, you can score a coupon for a free one months supply. AND, if you have your taxes done (which I don't since '04 :eyebrow: ) and can prove you're poor, Shire will sell you Addie at a reduced cost.

Fo' sure, talk to your doc about it. All the best to ya!

leese :cool:

In my unqualified opinion, for ADHA, the only medications fit to put in you r body are methylphenidate (~15mg/day) and an SSRI (~5mg/day for prozac) to counteract the seratonin inhibitory effects of the small but significant amount of additional unlisted ingredients. You have to do the rest with herbs and coaching. In the mean time: drag yourself out of bed and go for a long slow jog. It seriously works my friend. Also, avoid drinking too much liquid, makes the muscles cramp.

I'm always quite surprised when docs start meds at a higher dose.

Many people start meds like Adderall at lower doses, like 10 mgs. When gradually increasing the dose - it decreases side effects and helps to determine your "optimal dosage"

It's very possible that the 20mgs dose was too high. You should talk w/ your doc.

Courtney

Hey Brian,

First the usual disclaimer, you should always work w/your doc before discontinuing any prescribed medication. :soapbox:

I'm on Adderall 20mg/3x day. A web site I visit to research my psych drugs is @ crazymeds.org. Go there, scroll about half way down on the left hand side navigation column, and click on "How to Stop Taking Crazy Meds Safely". That'll tell you what you need to know. ;) If you scroll back up a little ways, you'll also find "Adderall" (and all the other stim medications). You'll need to find the half life of Adderall to plug into the discontinuation formula.

After doing A LOT of research, I chose Adderall because it's one of the newer stim drugs that's reportedly "smoother" (no sudden drop off feeling when it's wearing off). Maybe you needed to ease into it a little slower OR you got one of the crappier generic versions. Lots of people hate Barr brand (generic Adderall). I'm taking the generic "Ranbx".. don't remember the "long name", the abbreviation Ranbx is what's on my pill bottle.

One thing I know for sure, for me brand name Adderall is totally different/better than the generics.. way smoother and I don't have to take as much of it, but it flippin' costs 3-4 times more. If you go to the manufactuer's, Shire, web site, you can score a coupon for a free one months supply. AND, if you have your taxes done (which I don't since '04 :eyebrow: ) and can prove you're poor, Shire will sell you Addie at a reduced cost.

Fo' sure, talk to your doc about it. All the best to ya!

leese :cool:


What do others think about this? It was my impression that generics are basically the same as brand name adderall?

I was on the 20 mg Obetrol tablets as an off label med in 1992 (the Adderall 20 mg brand tablet without the AD) when I was 12 when it was still the diet pill and it was 20 mg 4 times per day for me then and it was different then the new one was better actually. I was on Dexedrine prior to that. I find the brand Adderall tabs (was on 4 of the 30 mg brand name tabs per day recently) to be superior to any of the generics. The pink 30 mg generics are unbearable. Barr makes an impressive Generic considering their generic to dexedrine is particularly nasty. The withdrawal for me was rough for two days any time and I guess it is what it is. You can lower or increase your dose and see if that will help. Ask the doctor.