I hear over and over again that dexedrine is in many people's opinion much better than Adderall. What precisely is the difference - in effects I mean?

I can see how Adderall is more aggresively marketed as it has a huge potential profit (especially XR). Dexedrine is out-of-patent and therefore not that big a money maker for the drug companies. But what I hear is that dexedrine has much fewer side effects than Adderall - which seems to me would be better.

I've been on Adderall for over a year now, and have tolerated it well. But I still could do without the incredible thirst and the few points of BP and heart rate that it increases.

Any thought on the relative merits of Adderall vs. Dexedrine? Thanks in advance.

It is a calmer version, less side effects and although I am sensitive and notice each of the 4 salts in Adderall kicking in, some people don't notice any difference at all. It seems more mental, less rage.

Less sleepy when it wears off. Less abusable, too.
I got an uncomfortable euphoria with my first dose of Adderall, and then I was dangerously narcoleptic=like when it wore off. I remember feeling so tired that someone's lawn looked comfortable, should i be unable to avoid passing out.

IMNSHO, Adderall is way way more abusable than Dexedrine, for those prone to addiction.

Dexedrine does not seem to produce a Strong Rush like Adderall or Ritalin, and it does not make me crash into unwanted sleep when it wears off.

The extreme stimulation of Adderall makes a sleepy crash inevitable.



Remember: What goes up (in stimulation), must come down (in sleepy crashes). The more and the stronger the stimulant you take, the more it will cause debiliating FATIGUE and SLEEPINESS when it wears off...

Interesting. I figured Dexedrine would be the more abusable since it acts more centrally (like Desoxyn). I don't experience the rebound/crash from Adderall XR (I take 25mg twice a day) but I have tried Concerta 54mg for a few weeks and it was ok for the first few days then it started making me very very tired. At one point while driving home from work (as the med starts wearing off) I got so drowsy I had to pull into a supermarket parking lot, parked the car and fell asleep for about an hour. Not good. I'm sticking with Adderall.


J

I see my pdoc tomorrow - and he generally listens to my wants and desires. I really love the way Adderall has helped me, but some of the side effects have been way too physical - if not typical.

1.) I need tons of water each day. To the point where I need to carry around a portable urinal.

2.) Adderall usually makes me calm - but on some days (especially when I am tired) it makes me a bit jittery - but manageable.

3.) When the Adderall wears off, I feel like crap. I do not understand this one at all - but seems to be comonly reported here. I get a headache, then jittery for sure, then increased heart rate - all when it wears off!! No problems when it is in my system. A few hours later I am back to normal - but cannot concentrate. I thought this might be an age problem (I'm 50+), but it seems to be common. I can easily tolerate 80mg a day when it is working - but when it wears off - forget it.

I've told this to my Dr. and he is essentially clueless - he basically wants me to get a script and go on to the next patient.

It sounds like Dexedrine might be the way to go. I take 60mg Adderall a day - so from the equivalences I've seen here - basically a 4:3 ratio - that would mean 40mg Dexedrine.

Any idea? Any comments? I really want this end of day funk to go away. My wife says that Adderal has really helped me, but I am a bummer at the end of the day. Basically I need lots and lots of focus!!! Before stims, I could not go beyond a post-it for organizational skills, etc. I'm talking all over the place. Now I am Mr. Organization.

Since I'm in good shape I would like to continue these (stim) meds as long as possible - many years. Sometimes I feel that the "crash" (for lack of a better word) wears me down. If what people say is true about Dex - much of this may be avoidable.

Thanks in advance.

I see my pdoc tomorrow - and he generally listens to my wants and desires. I really love the way Adderall has helped me, but some of the side effects have been way too physical - if not typical.

1.) I need tons of water each day. To the point where I need to carry around a portable urinal.

2.) Adderall usually makes me calm - but on some days (especially when I am tired) it makes me a bit jittery - but manageable.

3.) When the Adderall wears off, I feel like crap. I do not understand this one at all - but seems to be comonly reported here. I get a headache, then jittery for sure, then increased heart rate - all when it wears off!! No problems when it is in my system. A few hours later I am back to normal - but cannot concentrate. I thought this might be an age problem (I'm 50+), but it seems to be common. I can easily tolerate 80mg a day when it is working - but when it wears off - forget it.

I've told this to my Dr. and he is essentially clueless - he basically wants me to get a script and go on to the next patient.

It sounds like Dexedrine might be the way to go. I take 60mg Adderall a day - so from the equivalences I've seen here - basically a 4:3 ratio - that would mean 40mg Dexedrine.

Any idea? Any comments? I really want this end of day funk to go away. My wife says that Adderal has really helped me, but I am a bummer at the end of the day. Basically I need lots and lots of focus!!! Before stims, I could not go beyond a post-it for organizational skills, etc. I'm talking all over the place. Now I am Mr. Organization.

Since I'm in good shape I would like to continue these (stim) meds as long as possible - many years. Sometimes I feel that the "crash" (for lack of a better word) wears me down. If what people say is true about Dex - much of this may be avoidable.

Thanks in advance.I just had a brill idea :D can you doc prescribe 1 or 2 5mg dex a day, as well , so you can take them about 1/2 an hour before the other stuff wears off? That way, the dex will kick in, and you'll be fine for a few hours and have the gentle let down dex is good for:p sounds good adn simple to me..shame I'm not a Dr :D

I'm doing the switch over from dex to aderall right now. I don't know if my body is more used to dex or what, but not lovin' the aderall too much. I find it wears off a lot quicker than dex does. Or maybe it's because I kept my dex dose high taking it three times a day?

I don't know if I have to experiment with aderall or what, but I kind of want to just stick with dex.

Jonquiljo, I have the same problems than you with the thirst issue. I dirnk massively and as I take iced teas, juices, vitamin waters etc its becoming expensive. Also, as I drink so much I am very often using the rest room. When I am with people it is sometimes even embarassing!

How do you deal with it have you found any drink that lasts for longer?I am also starting to ask myself if drinking so much could hurt my kidneys. Do you know anything about it?
Finaly, did you try Dex, and if so is it better for the thirst issue?