I am in my late 20's and I have had add for my entire life. I just started taking meds for the first time last year. I went on and off the genric version of Adderall, but developed some sort of weird vocal tic (although I think that was becuase I didn't take the meds daily, once I started to take meds daily I stopped. ) I switched to the ADDERAll xr and went through different strengths. first at 2 30 mg tablets in the am, now I'm taking either 1 or 2 20 mg pill in the am. I am getting weird effects with this XR, my teeth are grinding so hard they are actually chipping. I can "feel" everything in my mouth in vivid detail, I know it sounds weird, but little bumps and rough spots in my mouth feel very vivid to me now. But the teeth thing is really weird, I went to Walgreens and bought a plastic guard to keep in my mouth, but I have messed my teeth up in some spots and now have to pay to have the chips fixed, but I"m nervous to do that becuase I don't want to fix it, and then mess them up again. This is a new thing for me I've never done this before.

My Dr said, well you can stop taking it if you want...

But I don't, I like being able to do what I want to do, and need to do, but this side effect is really really weird. If I were to go back to Adderall not the XR and not genric do you think it could help?

Few Questions I really need this community to help me one:

Does XR cause different side effects then the regular Adderall?

Is 20 2 times a day alot for the XR? If I were to go down with that help with this weird effect and still take the XR?

Do you notice different side effects with the generic version of Adderall then the retail name brand?

Is the teeth stuff something that will go away over time?

What can I do in the mean time to help with the mouth/teeth stuff?

Thanks so much, I'm scared to death that i've messed myself up taking these meds I just want to get on the right dose, meds and that's it.
Thanks so much

rick4him,

On occasion I felt my teeth more acutely but I haven't ground my teeth.

Does XR cause different side effects then the regular Adderall?I've only used IR (Instant Release). My sister started on IR but was switched to XR and hated it because it caused her anger and moodiness. She switched back.
Is 20 2 times a day alot for the XR? If I were to go down with that help with this weird effect and still take the XR?Your correct dosage is determined by its effectiveness and not by how much you're taking. [Click here for further discussion (http://www.addforums.com/forums/showpost.php?p=368445&postcount=15).]
Do you notice different side effects with the generic version of Adderall then the retail name brand?
I've only taken the generic. [Candid discussion of differences (http://www.crazymeds.org/BvsG.html).]
Is the teeth stuff something that will go away over time?Teeth grinding (http://www.webmd.com/drugs/drug-63163-Adderall+Oral.aspx?drugid=63163&drugname=Adderall+Oral) (bruxism) is a listed rare side effect. "Tell your doctor immediately if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur: mental/mood/behavior changes (e.g., agitation, aggression, mood swings, depression, abnormal thoughts), uncontrolled movements, continuous chewing movements/teeth grinding, outbursts of words/sounds, change in sexual ability/desire."
Thanks so much, I'm scared to death that i've messed myself up taking these meds I just want to get on the right dose, meds and that's it. (webmd.com) So your doctor knows about the teeth grinding? If not let him know. Your doctor will be able to advise you on the duration of this side effect. He will also be able to use this information to adjust your dosage if necessary. During the trial and error phase side effects are weighed against benefits.

It sounds like you are responding well to Adderall but definitely tell your doctor about you teeth.

SL :)

Let me get this straight?

Your newly medicated and you STARTED with 2 30mg XR capsules a day?

Thats 60mg per day or TWICE the highest dose made. Even 40mg (2 20mg capsules) is very high.

These are the doses made:

SR (tablets, take every 4-6 hours)
5mg
7.5mg
10mg
12.5mg
15mg
20mg
25mg
30mg

XR (capsules, take every 8-12 hours)
5mg (?)
10mg
15mg
20mg (You are HERE times 2)
25mg
30mg (you started here times 2!!!)


Now I'm NOT saying that people should never take a dose this high but the point is you work up to it. You start with the lowest effective dose and move up every month or so.

I'm your age. I'm also newly medicated (not since grade school). My doctor started me with 30mg methylphidate per day... this is about half the streath of adderall so we are talking 15mg a day.... give or take for the purposes of this posting. After about four months I'm still only taking about 30mg a day.... but I also have taken meds in the past and that makes some differance.

Now I'm not a doctor nor do I claim to be one but it's very neglegant to start someone on about 3-6 times the prudent starting dose. Your experienceng almost all the side effects of a mild amphatamine overdose and perhaps none of the benifits. Fourtunatly adderall is a very, very safe drug and you will likely be just fine... other than your teeth.

What should you do?

Personaly I would drop it all at once cold turkey for at least a week and idealy a month or more... You will likely feel like crap for a few days. I would do this just to restabilize your body.

Then I would get new doctor (and maybe a lawyer). Perferably one that can READ the perscribing information in a physician desk referance.

THEN I would start on NO MORE than one 10mg or 15mg XL capsule PER DAY.... try it for a few weeks and work up no more than 5-10mg at a time and NEVER more than ONE capsule per day!

The problem here is your doctor has perhaps set you up with a BIG and unnessesary tolerance to a powerfull stimulant. This is a complicated issue becuase other doctors may not want to treat you... it would be wrong for me to tell you not to relate these issues with a new doctor but they should know. It would be best to see a phyciatrist if possible.

You may have a malpractice lawsuit on your hands.... and you perhaps deserve at a minimum compensation for your dental bills. I may add to this post later.

I'm so very very sorry to hear what you have gone through.

As always I'm not a doctor and you should legally forget everything I have said here....and never make any medication changes without the advise of a QUALIFIED doctor.

wow thanks for the info. My question is what do you think if I took 2 10 mg SR Pills? I understnd that some people have weird side effects with taking XR vs. the SR ones. Have you ever heard of any issues with this?

The best advice to be given is to talk with your doctor. Maximum doses are only guidelines. A minimum dose may be too much for some, and a max dose may not be enough. I am finding it very common that people go over the 30mg recommendations. Ask your doctor about switching to another med. Sounds like you are sensitive to the Adderall. Not every med is good for everyone.

Hey thanks so much. I'm going to a new Dr. tomrrow. any advice on what to do , this is my first visit with him. Should I try the stright Adderall, not the xr? I hear people do different with the different ones. Also is there another med that is good? I still have some of my adderall left, do they usually get you started on new meds on your first visit with a new dr? The main side effect is the teeth grinding, hard. Is this a sign of to much meds?

2 10mg capsules would be a much better dose to start on. If you are grinding your teeth or experiencing other rare effects you mentioned you likely are taking too much!. Keep in mind that the XR caps last 8-12 hours and dispense half their payload every 4-6 hours. Thus a 10mg cap once per day is like taking a 5mg IR twice per day. I also fear that your doctor may have read the PDR for IR tabs and dispensed XP caps by mistake... or something... It's also not nessesary to take 2 caps at once when one larger cap will do the same thing, unless you are taking two per day witch is rare with the XR formulation. Now I know that alot of people are going to say that doses over 30mg are common... fair enough but the point being is these people never START with high doses. Also there is very little differance between the effects of XR vs. IR when compared. The XR simply lasts longer, indeed some people have more side effects with the IR as the concentration levels are not quite as smooth (through comparible). Common since needs to be employed sometimes! You are showing CLASSIC TEXTBOOK symtoms of amphetamine overdose!!! It's also possible that adderall just is not for you but weather or not it's working you are likely getting at least a mild euphoria from it that some may misinterpret as theraputic. You may want to start a trial of a non-stimulant such as stratera or something less conventional such as wellbutrin SR (while technicaly a stimulant it's not classified as one) for a short time before moving back to adderall. Certainly no reasonable doctor would keep you on it with the effects you disscribe. I hate to sound like a narc but it's possible that you have devoloped a phycological addiction to non-theriputic doses.... through amphetamines have extreamly low addiction potential in those who truely have ADD. It should also be noted that shire does not recomend nor have they studied doses higher than 30mg per day. Through perfectly acceptable to perscribe doses higher than this are concidered "off label". Your new doctor should know of all your side effects and I think at minimum reducing your dose is a good idea through if you have a tolerance it may take a while for a lower dose to be effective if ever. You should NEVER be getting the type of side effects you have described with any theriputic dose.