I'm trying to find the usual dose of Adderall XL based on weight. The best info I can find is websites saying 5-60mg is the usual dose but that is quite useless. I know everyone is different and there is variance... but what is the usual dose mg/kg/day?

Um not really. While it has some to do wiht your weight. Being you would probably not dose a 10 year old with 60mg...versus a 200lb man. However, it kind of depends on your own body, severity of ADD....and a lot of other factors.

No easy answer..I am probably just as useless as the answer you got first! :eek:

I am larger than my (very hyper) older sister. Who is only about 5'6 and about 110 soaking wet....she takes a high dose....of Adderall.

I only take 20mg now...(once I got BPD dx I went down) but even before I was only on 40mg max. I went from 20mg after a month, to 30mg for a couple of months..up to 40mg. All under the guidance of my doctor.

;)

I asked for a usual dose... and in my post I said people are different. I wanted something in mg/kg/day, not a story.

WOW, Incase you didnt realize it or didnt mean for it to come out that way I thought id let ya know your reponse to justhope was pretty darn rude! We should be thankful that people even take time to read/reply to our post and not criticize the manner in which they do so.

Looks like someone needs an increase

I knew someone would come and share some stupid story about their friends and family and that's why I put what I put in my first post and then of course, I get replies that I don't want.

The dose is individual, i.e. at the age of 12 I took Adderall in 1992 when it was still a diet pill called Obetrol and I took 4 of the 20 mg tablets a day... recently I was on 120 mg of Adderall per day and I am a male who is 135 lbs and 5'8" some people that are 300 lbs only need 10 mg per day... There really is no answer to that question because, THE DOSE IS INDIVIDUAL TO EVERYONE!!!

No one understands the word "usual"

There is no "usual" dose it depends on response, there is typically a "starting" dose but it effects everyone totally differently. The FDA recommends 60 mg is that what you want to hear?

Wow, um.... yeah.

From what I heard from my psychiatrist, he usually starts patients out on 20mg Adderall XR. And he started me out at 20mg Adderall XR. Then we went from there.

*Runs the other way in fear of getting head bitten off*

I knew someone would come and share some stupid story about their friends and family and that's why I put what I put in my first post and then of course, I get replies that I don't want.
Opptimum, totally okay by me. If your request was not met, I am sure someone here will be happy to tell you what you "want" to hear. :confused:

I asked for a usual dose... and in my post I said people are different. I wanted something in mg/kg/day, not a story.
To be as blunt to your reply as you were to my answer. Your question is too broad, and there is no usual dosage to weight or just because, that is strictly followed to a tee. I have seen people here who started out on 10mg of Adderall in the beginning, or 20mg...so does that answer your question?

However, will repeat again, it depends on many factors. Perhaps your doctor can answer the question since that is part of his required education, or perhaps a call to the pharmacy ? <!-- / message -->





Let me also bring up another important point, and if you have questions on the disclaimer below, hit the link below and read the guidelines again. This might help you understand, we are not to give medically related advice here, wheather it be diasnostically related or medication related.

You will find here at the forums...most of us will offer "stupid" stories, because again ,we are not doctors.

Because I care about people, especially people who are newly diagnosed, I don't tell them something "that worked for me" will work for them wheather it's what I started on or what I am on now.
I would never want to be responsible for telling someone (to use your question as an example) you should be starting out on 60mg of Adderall because you are over 160llbs like me, and have them run and gulp 60mgs.. The possibilities to what could happen there are not worth it. That is why you have to have a medical degree to give that kind of advice. :)

Besides your question is too broad to answer for anyone here. There is not one specific answer for it. There is no magic starting dosage that works for all of us or that is given by all doctors. And likewise there is no, one medication that works for one of us.

That is why I used an example of my own family, type of ADD and severerity, and dosage. :eyebrow:

You are entitled to your opinion and you can take or leave what you want from those of us who are trying to "help" you. B
But please be considerate of the fact we are just trying to help and do try to refrain from being "rude".

You will find simply not responding to the post or sharing thanks but I would like a little more of this particular type of info..would be to your advantage for people to be more inclined to respond to you.
After all let's remember , ADD'ers do sometimes miss the point and have their "own perception" of what you are asking for.

You can also take what you want, and leave the rest of this advice as well.

I am here to help those who wish to help themselves. If you are not in need of my "stupid" stories, that's fine with me. I take no offense. ;)

Thankfully , there are many others here who do, and who's own "stories", examples, and explanations will help me.

Hope you find your answer, but I would think that the only answer that will really help you will be found in the office of your doctor.



Legal/Medical Disclaimer
The advice offered in the ADD Forums, is for informational and support purposes only. This advice is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read in this forum, or on any related web site! Advice given on this forum is the opinion of the individual posting it, and not necessarily the opinion of ADD Forums.


Just so you know I am not offended. Perhaps this link might help you research further, however it appears it kinda of confirms what I just said. Go figure. I have only be diagnosed for over 12 years, full of a family of medical professionals, and ADD people.. :D

This exerpt is found in the PDR. or Physician's Desk Reference. www.pdrhealth.com (http://www.pdrhealth.com/)<WBR>

Adderall, Amphetamines, side effects, drug interactions, overdose, dosage (http://www.pdrhealth.com/drug_info/rxdrugprofiles/drugs/add1008.shtml)
Adderall is prescribed in the treatment of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), the condition in which a child exhibits a short attention span and becomes easily distracted, overly emotional, excessively active, and highly impulsive.
... dosage Brand name: Adderall Pronounced: ADD-ur-all Generic ingredients
... Why is Adderall prescribed? Adderall is prescribed in the ...
... prescribed? Adderall is prescribed in the treatment of ...
... Recommended dosage for Adderall Whether the problem is ...
... will keep the dosage as low as possible. ADDERALL Attention ...
... raise the daily dosage by 2.5 milligrams until the condition is ...
http://www.pdrhealth.com/drug_info/rxdrugprofiles/drugs/add1008.shtml




WOW, Incase you didnt realize it or didnt mean for it to come out that way I thought id let ya know your reponse to justhope was pretty darn rude! We should be thankful that people even take time to read/reply to our post and not criticize the manner in which they do so.
Thank you Shane...I don't take offense. ;) <!-- / message -->

I never asked for medical advice. This was a general post about a specific piece of info that has no effect on anything.

Nope you didn't. Nor was that the reason why I said it. I pointed it out because you were asking for "usual" dosages of medications. Because we are not doctors, we can only offer what our own experiences are. For me it's in "story" form. It was a reference point as to why you might not get "specific" dosage info suggestions that might be misconstrued as "advice" on what you or anyone else should be starting out on, therefore not leading you or anyone else to think about changing it based on the advice of someone who is not a professional.
I realize you might not personally be influenced by what others offer...however there are a great many who do. There are so many different people here, at different stages and different ages. It's that simple.

The reference was an explanation of why I answered the way I did. To clarify what type of answers you will typically get here. And was not directed at you.

Sorry if you are getting frustrated. Hope the PDR helps. :)

Eh :/
I thought someone would come in and be like "well my doc said most people take x mg/kg" but I guess I was wrong :(

Hey, on a side note: Do you think the Lamictal ruins Adderalls effectiveness? Have you run tests of taking 1 and not the other?

Well sorry. I guess in my long winded response. That is what I was trying to say. :D Just cause I been here awhile..and be on meds a long time...
I feel your frustration though.

And no I don't have any issues with my Lamictal causeing my Adderall to not work the same? In fact I think the Lamictal balance has let me "lower' the dose of Adderall need to function effectively. Why do you ask out of curiousity?

Doc has me doing 20mg Adderall/200mg Lamictal is why I ask. Lamictal hasn't really done anything for me except maybe a little fatigue.

Oh BTW, what made me post this is I read somewhere about 0.5mg/kg of adderall being the usual dose, and then 0.25, and then 0.3 and I can't get a good number anywhere.

Also, this is weird: FDA approved Adderall for 40mg/day and XL for 30mg/day. Makes NO sense.

Oh I see. I didn't know. Can I ask why you are on Lamictal?

I had the fatigue only if I took it at night. Not during the day time.
Are you taking it at night?

He has me taking 100 morning, 100 night. If you asked me why I took it I would say I didn't know, but it is supposed to be for depression and neuropathic pain.

Oh BTW, what made me post this is I read somewhere about 0.5mg/kg of adderall being the usual dose, and then 0.25, and then 0.3 and I can't get a good number anywhere.

Reason?

There isn't one. They have dosage ranges -

ranges -Range: In medicine and statistics, the difference between the lowest and highest numerical values

now some doctors may prescribe mg/kg as an individual professional preference however I have done an extensive search and can find no official medical quotes of standardized recommended dosage based upon mg/kg body weight basis. The closest thing I can find are "normal ranges" that have been found to be of benefit.

ADHD In Suffolk (http://www.adhdinsuffolk.org/Medication.asp)

I double checked medical sites and they concur.

The specific dose of medicine and timing of medication must be determined for each individual. However, there are no consistent relationships between height, age and clinical response to a medication. A medication trial is often used to determine the most beneficial dosage. The trial usually begins with a low dose that is gradually increased at 3-7 day intervals until clinical benefits are achieved. It is common for the dosage to be raised several times during the trial.
***End Quote

more from the fda (http://www.fda.gov/cder/foi/label/2004/021303s005lbl.pdf)
DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION
Dosage should be individualized according to the therapeutic needs and response of the patient. ADDERALL XR® should be administered at the lowest effective dosage.***End Quote

You haven't been given a mg-kg/body weight because for adolescence and adults there isn't one. justhope gave you the best possible answer despite the story form she is correct in her analysis.


Also, this is weird: FDA approved Adderall for 40mg/day and XL for 30mg/day. Makes NO sense.


more from the fda (http://www.fda.gov/cder/foi/label/2004/021303s005lbl.pdf)

The maximum recommended dose for children is 30 mg/day; doses greater than 30 mg/day of ADDERALL XR™ have not been studied in children. ***End Quote

~Underlining mine~

Please note doses greater than 30mg have not been studied with the Adderall XR, seeing that the shorter acting Adderall has more than likely been studied more extensively.Besides they are adding up totally daily doses.

If Adderall regular release only last 4-6 hours and an effective dose is 20mg the dose will have to be taken a second time shortly after lunch. The frequency a medication needs to be taken to remain effective through out the day will drive up the total daily dosage also.




Other factors may also include the difference in drug releases vs absorption and what other inert ingredient come along with the active chemical.