I have never been scripted Dex, but An aquantaince is, he is scripted 8, 5mg IR, 40mgs (all we have here) 2x daily, 480! monthly. seems unusual to me.

Is this an unusual dosage script/dose?:rolleyes:

I am prescribed at 90 mg/day. Timing is important, though.

6x15mg caps?.

Dextroamphetamine is 2x the dose of Methylphenidate right?, so why is no one scripted 160+mgs Ritalin?

3x15 in the morning, then 3 more at lunch.

I have no idea about dosages. I know Ritalin did not work for me, and I was on a way-high dosage, although I don't remember what it was.

The Dex is working, though.

90mgs is a hefty dose, Arn't thoes SKF Spansules supposed to last 8-10 hours?, i wonder how long 3 Spans last you? and if sleep is a concern?, I wonder if you have been on Dex for years to have a high dosage scripted?30mgs is the PDR max-ADD, 60mgs Narcolepsy, but thats not always followed i know

I wonder what a "way high" dose of Ritalin was for you, around 5, 20mg tabs daily is the most i'v read for on Ritalin-60mgs is the PDR max.

I have never been scripted Dex, but An aquantaince is, he is scripted 8, 5mg IR, 40mgs (all we have here) 2x daily, 480! monthly. seems unusual to me.

Is this an unusual dosage script/dose?:rolleyes: unusual..a tad..max is 9 per day without special authorization from the govt..

so, he's getting 40 gm TWICE daily?

Personally? My doctor and I agree that there is no such thing as too low (unless its ineffective) or too high (unless its causing a speeding reaction) of a dose for anybody just across the board like that. What works for one person is not always what works for another. Going above what the PDR says is one way of going "off-label" and many bipolars are grateful today for the "off-label" use of neuroleptics (anti-seizure medications) because they happen to work for them as mood stabilisers.

The point is we really don't need to be sitting around pointing fingers and saying "Oh that person is taking waay too much medication (insert: must be high or addicted)" because that may be hurtful to the person being pointed at. I know this because that finger has been pointed at me, and I know perfectly well that I am NOT on "too much medication" or "too high of a dose"...and so does my doctor.

These decisions on dosing are between the doctor and the patient only, after all.

My dose fluctuates based on brand immediate release vs time release and life stress... with dex I go from 50 mg -120 mg per day dependent on issues symptoms and severity of

After having been on mostly ritalin, and adderall for a short time, over the past 6 years, i was switched to dex IR about 6 months ago....
i manage to get the 10mg Mallinkrodts.
anyway, i am prescribed 90mg IR per day....
I generally take 40mg upon waking up....
i am very interested in the fact that i never feel any "subjective" effects of this drug...
none....and never have either...
i very often take a late afternoon dose of 20mg, and have no problem at all taking a nap within 30-60 min of it...
no effect on appetite, ....
i'm just intersted in why this is the case for me...
dont get me wrong...i'm not complaining about it...
the only thing that comes to mind is what i have read about people with ADD having the reverse effects from stimulants

Dexedrine slows me right down which is why I fluctuate on it, I do lose weight but only because I ignore food due to a past which includes obesity then almost dying of anorexia to years of alternating between the purging and non-purging types of bulimia, and I am a male. I describe dexedrine as "Lithium with focus". The irony is that people get so addicted to this stuff that they sell their souls for it. I am in college and hear people say they are addicted to adderall??? that garbage drug combination of any, and it's like how? I have tried cocaine 4 times not like I'd waste my money on that and I saw these people turn into paranoid freaks and I did twice the amount they did and I just sat there thinking "My face is numb that's it, people waste their money on this crap". I however am hyperactive and have taken it for most of my life (it was the only medication I would take... ritalin was a joke at age 4)... I can sleep on it and my dose flucuates based on need now. I miss the smith kline version tablets, those were focusing and didn't make me lazy like a high dexedrine spansule dosage does. I don't get the stimulant fixation in people. I was a dumb teen and illegally distributed ritalin to a few people in high school (that prevented me from getting a prescription for awhile) and my voice mail was a suicide hotline, and I was like god to these people, for ritalin. I get addicted to just about everything but dexedrine was a drug that doctors had to convince me to take.

Craxy-feet hit it on the head: my psychiatrist said the dosage that works is the right dosage. He said there was some literature that addresses the issue that most dosages are set relative to children's needs, and that adult dosages can be significantly different for some people. I take 45 mg when I get up and another 45 at lunch. I don't generally have trouble sleeping, but I have taken the second dose late (5-6 pm) and had it affect my sleep.

But during the day while I am on the meds I am very functional. I am an attorney, so I meet clients, go to court, fight the phone, and have no problems. My desk is starting to clear up, slowly. I am doing much better with this med than I ever did with any of the others. I see my doctor tomorrow. I will probably stick with this dosage for another little while before I consider going up again.

There was a question about my prior use of Ritalin. I have forgotten what the dosage was, but we kept moving that one up higher and higher to see if we could find a level that worked. I remember that the dosage level was significantly higher than most of the ones for other Ritalin users that I saw on here. But Ritalin had no effect on my ADD. I got wired, but that just made things worse. And tremendous headaches late in the day. The higher dosage just got me more wired and made the headaches worse. I stopped taking it even before I went back to the doctor.

The only really strange side effect of the Dex I take is that I get really, really thirsty, and sometimes I feel like my tongue is tingly. That usually happens in the late afternoon when the effects start to wear off. As to duration of the effects, they sure don't last 8 hours for me.

I'm on 80mgs/day of Desoxyn. It is working pretty well for me. As long as I remember to take it, that is my biggest problem at the moment.

I'm on 80mgs/day of Desoxyn. It is working pretty well for me. As long as I remember to take it, that is my biggest problem at the moment.When you've gone this far, what's left to treat your AD/HD? It looks like Adderall and Dexedrine would be virtually ineffective at most theraputic dosages if you have to resort to a dosage of Desoxyn that high.

What is the future of treating AD/HD patients this way? Is this a game of cat and mouse between extracellular dopamine levels and downregulation of dopamine receptors?

Sorry for the cynicism, but I'm honestly curious.

I wonder how long you have been taking it? and if you take 4, 4x daily?.

80mgs Desoxyn is the highest dose i'v read of, and two other people taking that dose.

I wonder if you kept raising the dose until you got to 80mgs and found that most helpfull?.

Apparently Desoxyn is 1.5x the potency of Dex, so that would=~120mgs Dex

I've been taking it since October. I started on Dexedrine spansules 2 - 15mg capusules twice a day. But that seemed only fair at best. Then I read about the immendate release dexedrine on this forum and asked my doc to try that, and it was better, but I was having a hard time finding it, then they just downright discontinued it.

So I begged and pleaded with my doc for the Desoxyn, and my insurance company offers Desoxyn on there 3 month mail order plan. (that really helped)
I tried it and it works very well, as long as I remember to take it. I will be feeling fine until I notice it was worn off by my untactful comments, or I'd all the sudden get that dah-dah-dah feeling, and I become very stressed insocail situations, then I remember I need to take it, and I try to hide out till it kicks in.

Why I take such a high does -

I have been diagnosed as depressed my whole life. None of the drugs ever helped and the therapy sessions would drive me crazy, I was never depressed, I was a happy child, I am a overall happy person. So something has always been wrong with me, I have no friends, I can't keep a job to save my life, I can be very rude when I think I am just telling it like it is, etc.etc, etc.

I finally got in trouble (again) at work and decided to go to my general practioner who referred me to a ADHD expert. When I saw her, she hit the nail on the head - she had me pegged a mile away - and she was right. She said I was the WORST case she ever saw.

In my younger days I unknowingly was self-medicating, I've had a severe eating disorder for 19 years, (until just recently) and for a short time I had a $100.00 a day cocaine habit, but, I would do the cocaine all day - during classes at college, and during my waitressing job, (the one job I kept for any time period). I did not do the cocaine on the weekends or at night, not even my live in boyfriend current husband knew it was not a social thing for me, it was a coping mechanism for my day to day life.
In addition, I was bingeing and purging up to 15 times a day EVERYDAY. My doc said that act of binging and puring releases the same chemicals as the dex and desoxyn, and cocaine as a metter of fact. Therefore, I had my self on such a high daily does of these chemicals, but I was slowly killing myself in the process. The bulemia would kill me eventually.

So she immediately started me on 60mgs a day of dexedrine spansules, they were fair, but because they were slow to release I would purge them up and they would not be very effective.

I changed to immediate release and my eating disorder stopped dead in its tracks. It is still shocking - litterally like a light switch, for 19 years binging and puring 15 times a day - then stop - not even think about it.

I can eat (very little at a time) I am not stick thin, I do not feel guilty when I eat - I don't even bother with a scale but maybe one a week or even once ion 2 weeks. This used to consume my entire life. But if I run out of meds, I'm right back to it, not as much, becuase I will fight it with all my might, I went a couple of days with out meds before this last order was delivered and I binged and purged about 1-2 times a day, I was very disappointed with myself, but I'll just do better next time to immediately send in my new prescription the very day I get it (I forgot to mail it in for 3 days last time)

I'm not a druggy - it is just what helps me - I hate the fact it has such a bad stereotype. At least most people have no clue what desoxyn really is, and they see my big fat a** bottle and ask what it is and sometimes I'll tell them and they "never heard of it" I then change the subject.

But - I have absolutely no freaking idea how in the h*ll I made it through college or anything else binging and puring at that rate - it is amazing when I look back on it - but it is always there lurking behind my shoulder.

One other thing I forgot - I used to be an alcoholic as well - until desoxyn that is!!! One day i ahd no desire for a drink and I really did not care about it or even think about it - my husband thought something was really wrong when he noticed that. (I was the one who had bud light for breakfast)

Sorry such a long post - but I've also never been able to even dicuss my ed until recently.

Your story is touching, and i'm glad you posted:). I'm glad that the high dose of Desoxyn is helping you, I have read of others who were put on Desoxyn and lost interest in drugs and alcohol.

I'm surprised your not thin, considering your purging history, and would be surprised if you gain/maintain weight while at that dose, Desoxyn is indicated for 'Exogenous obesity' at 25mgs, and i know of the lack of desire to eat on Methamphetamine, a work fellow described it as "forgetting i had a stomach" when he was using.


"I'm not a druggy - it is just what helps me - I hate the fact it has such a bad stereotype. At least most people have no clue what desoxyn really is, and they see my big fat a** bottle and ask what it is and sometimes I'll tell them and they "never heard of it" I then change the subject."

Most DOCS don't know what Desoxyn is!, it's short for Desoxyephedrine BTW-went perscription in 1965, and was available in an OTC inhaler of 150mgs, 'Valo Inhaler' till 65'.

Thanks for your passage, and i wish you good health and continued success with your treatment:).

Bugs-n-Bunnys, thank you for that thorough response.

As you can probably tell from my last post I'm not one for tact myself, it often dawns on me in hindsight that I've responded in a potentially offensive manner.

Excuse my naivety, my question was more academic than specific and personal. Your history is moving and perhaps serves as a poster-child case for adult ADD diagnosis and medicational treatment. I hope Desoxyn continues to work for you until/if another medication or treatment comes along to effectively supplant it.

I echo attention's sentiments, and I apologize if you took offense to my previous reply.

No offense taken.
I wish more people were open to possibilities of this drug and not just look at what has happened to it on the street.

When I do think about it (which thankfully gets rarer and rarer) I am amazed that I'm not bone thin, and even more amazed I no longer have the desire to be! H*ll, I'm in my medium size clothes - :-) (I have 3 sizes of clothes)

I have been through the inpateint treatment for my ED and numerous outpatient programs. If only I'd been prescribed this long ago.

For everybody out there - if you have a friend or a loved one with an eating disorder - encourage them to explore other issues as well.

I'm not a doctor - and I would never recommend everyone with an ED get desoxyn - but - look at other issues in your life. I never knew my ED was my form of self-medication for the ADHD - H*ll - I never knew I had ADHD till May 2006.

I was one of those who said - "Please everyone has those problems."

No offense taken.
I wish more people were open to possibilities of this drug and not just look at what has happened to it on the street.


Thank you for sharing your story Bugs. I really enjoy reading about such amazing success stories, and how your treatment has been so postive for you!

I feel the same as you regarding a more open mind to the potential GOOD of Desoxyn as a therapeutic. I live in Canada and Desoxyn is not available here. Honestly, I doubt it will ever be approved here. Canada is freaked right out about "Meth," and judging by the way many pharmices now lock up cold remedies because they contain Ephedrine, I think the possibility of approval of Desoxyn for treatment of ADHD is far far away. And this is really very sad, because I bet there's people here in Canada too that could see very positive results with Desoxyn, if they were only given the chance. :(

I'm currently taking Dexedrine IR at a relatively low dose compared to some.. up to 30 mg a day. (2X 5mg IR 2X a day with a 3rd dose if I need to study in the evenings). So far Dexedrine has been very very positive for me, more so than Ritalin. I feel so much better about myself and my school work, notetaking, listening ability, and study skills are showing amazing improvements!

Interestingly though, I am still able to get the "SKF" Dexedrine IR tablets, but it sounds as though these are not available to many of us now. I don't really understand why this is... :confused: I guess it depends on where we live?

Anyways Bugs, I'm so glad to hear that you found something that is working for you and that you no longer have the need to seek dangerous ways to self-medicate. Way to go champ!

6x15mg caps?.

Dextroamphetamine is 2x the dose of Methylphenidate right?, so why is no one scripted 160+mgs Ritalin?
amphetamine's (adderal, Dex, etc) and Methylphenidate are different chemicals that both belong to the drug class of stimulants. Different chemicals = different dosage. :)

MeGgHead:

"because I bet there's people here in Canada too that could see very positive results with Desoxyn, if they were only given the chance. :( "

People in Canada and everywhere else for that matter-no doubt:S. Desoxyn is only available in USA and Chile, apparently. Most folks who need/want a stimulant drug, make do with Methylphenidate or less so Dextroamphetamine, which seem to suffice, but as Bugs as mentioned were not as sufficient as when she was introduced to Desoxyn.

Interestingly though, I am still able to get the "SKF" Dexedrine IR tablets, but it sounds as though these are not available to many of us now. I don't really understand why this is... :confused: I guess it depends on where we live?



The reason you can still get it is the pharmacy still has some left from when it ordered last. It is no longer made, period. Once your pharmacy runs out - that is it - no more. They cannot order more. So be prepared, if the Barr does not work for you ask your pharmacy to try to get the Mallincrokt (spelling?)

I went from pharmacy to pharmacy cleaning them out one by one untill I could not get it anymore. I was at a loss for what to do next. It seemed liked usuall - just my luck - find something that works than they stop making it.

That is when my insurance company (of all the people??) suggested Desoxyn!?!?! Plus I had heard a little about it on this forum. But my insurance company helped persuade my doctor - because they offer it on their 3 month mail order plan. But, they did not offer the GSK Dex IR?!?!? Go figure??

Now I can go about 2 moths without having to worry about my prescription!! (It takes them 3-4 weeks to fill a brand new prescription - unfortunately the doc cannot give refills)

But I get 1440 pills in a mega size bottle, or two , or three. This last time it was split in 3 bottles, but they are still rather large. And people give me funny looks when I whip it out and take what seems to be a handful from a distance. It is rather comical!

If Dex is working good for you the Desoxyn might be even better - it was for me!

If Dex is working good for you the Desoxyn might be even better - it was for me!


Yes, the Dex is working well for me. I think I will stick with it for the time being and give its other "forms" (Spansules, generic IR) a shot. Although Desoxyn might be better, I doubt we'll see it approved in this country any time soon. If it's ever made available here, I would consider trying it. But I'm happy with the Dex, at least for now :)

That sure is a bummer about the little orange guys. They work great. But I guess I still have the option of the Spansules (havn't been prescirbed those yet, I'm still pretty new to ADHD medications), and then there's always the generics. Barr or Mallinckrodt, not sure what my option(s) will be.

Craxy-feet hit it on the head: my psychiatrist said the dosage that works is the right dosage. He said there was some literature that addresses the issue that most dosages are set relative to children's needs, and that adult dosages can be significantly different for some people. I take 45 mg when I get up and another 45 at lunch. I don't generally have trouble sleeping, but I have taken the second dose late (5-6 pm) and had it affect my sleep.

But during the day while I am on the meds I am very functional. I am an attorney, so I meet clients, go to court, fight the phone, and have no problems. My desk is starting to clear up, slowly. I am doing much better with this med than I ever did with any of the others. I see my doctor tomorrow. I will probably stick with this dosage for another little while before I consider going up again.

There was a question about my prior use of Ritalin. I have forgotten what the dosage was, but we kept moving that one up higher and higher to see if we could find a level that worked. I remember that the dosage level was significantly higher than most of the ones for other Ritalin users that I saw on here. But Ritalin had no effect on my ADD. I got wired, but that just made things worse. And tremendous headaches late in the day. The higher dosage just got me more wired and made the headaches worse. I stopped taking it even before I went back to the doctor.

The only really strange side effect of the Dex I take is that I get really, really thirsty, and sometimes I feel like my tongue is tingly. That usually happens in the late afternoon when the effects start to wear off. As to duration of the effects, they sure don't last 8 hours for me.Hello,
I was wondering how long you have been taking 90Mg of Dexedrine spansules?
I'm trying to get a feel of how many people are 10+ years taking this without having to continually increase dosage. (or is that probably what will happen)
I ask because I currently am taking that dosage but it took me 10-11 years to reach that.
For the last 3-4 years I have been at 60-75 mg daily :partly because of the cost & partly because I did not want to increase my meds.
But I finally asked my doctor to increase it to 45 MG twice daily (brand) & it helped allot.
Unfortuately it's too expensive for me to stay at that dosage & the generic (Barr) isn't helpful to me & also doesn't cost that much less than brand name here in Fl.
I'm not sure how to go about finding the other generic brand ; every pharmacy I've checked with only carries the Barr version. None said they could order Mallinckrodt .
Apologies of this post is scattered, I'm having a hard time today. (focus wise)
Does anyone know how to approach pharmacies to carry the Mallinckrodt brand?
Does anyone know if it's worth the trouble?
GSK's patient assitance program will only cover 2 Dexedrine spansules 10 mg capsules a day.(no matter what dosage you are prescribed)
Rather close minded of them, I think. (but it's better than nothing)

I have no insurance and my perscription for dexedrine spansules is costing
me $320.00 monthly.
(and that is the lowest price available, and an hour and 20 minutes away)
suggestions welcome.

You could say that you are asking if they have the Generic Dexedrine by the manufacturer Mallinckrodt and that you need that brand because you have a bad reactions to the all the others which have dye in them and that Mallinckrodt has no dye in it(it is white).

Actually my Dex mg climbed pretty quickly to 90 mg because below that it just was not doing much. I cannot remember exactly, but I think it took around 2-3 months to get there. I cannot remember the rate I started with, but I remember thinking it was pretty "high" compared to some of the other rates I saw discussed on this site.

My insurance covers the majority of the cost, luckily.