So, my doctor prescribed me adderall xr 2 weeks ago. For the first 3 days I started with 1 10mg a day, then the next 3 days i went to 2 10mg a day, and after that I've been on 3 10mg a day.

I've tried a 30 mg of adderall xr once before (for finals) and i remember definitely feeling different than I do now. I felt a lot more awake and less of a procrastinator. Shouldn't I technically feel the same way as i did then if I'm taking in total 30 mg of the same stuff? Or does the fact that I take 3 of 10 instead of 1 of 30 make a difference?

Any sort of guidance would be very appreciated. Thanks!

So, my doctor prescribed me adderall xr 2 weeks ago. For the first 3 days I started with 1 10mg a day, then the next 3 days i went to 2 10mg a day, and after that I've been on 3 10mg a day.

I've tried a 30 mg of adderall xr once before (for finals) and i remember definitely feeling different than I do now. I felt a lot more awake and less of a procrastinator. Shouldn't I technically feel the same way as i did then if I'm taking in total 30 mg of the same stuff? Or does the fact that I take 3 of 10 instead of 1 of 30 make a difference?

Any sort of guidance would be very appreciated. Thanks!Hello, and welcome to the forums!!

First of all, what I marked in red should not matter.

3 x 10 = 30
1 x 30 = 30

Right? ;)

All I know about stimulants is that for mainly inattentive types, the effects of these drugs can decrease over time as your mind is getting used to to the stimulation effects.

My guess for you is, that the first time you took adderall XR, you jumped straight to 30, so you felt a sudden strong effect of adderall XR.

But because this time you started on a lower dose, and worked your way up to a higher dose, you are not getting that sudden high that you did the first time you took the medication.

I expected I'd get more used to the medicine as time went on but it really makes no difference taking 3 10s instead of 1 30? Yes, I know both add up to 30 but in each adderall xr pill the beads inside of it go into effect after the first few hours and then die down a bit then go on again and so on until 12 hrs are up. Does that make any sense/does anyone know waht I mean?

I've tried a 30 mg of adderall xr once before (for finals) and i remember definitely feeling different than I do now. I felt a lot more awake and less of a procrastinator.Hmmmm, did your Dr prescribe you a 30 mg dose of Adderall XR just for your finals?



Shouldn't I technically feel the same way as i did then if I'm taking in total 30 mg of the same stuff? Technically, taking three 10 mg tablets is not the "same stuff" as taking a 30 mg tablet.

For starters, different manufacturer's versions of the same drug often times effect people differently. In fact, I have even found quite noticable differences between the same manufacturer's drug of different strengths. For example, taking two of the 5 mg Mallinckrodt dextroamphetamine tablets was much more potent to me (and others here at the forums) than taking one of their 10 mg dextroamphetamine tablets. Both would contain 10 mg, however the difference is quite noticable for me, and others.

Secondly, it's quite normal for a tolerance to develop to these drugs on one level or another, especially when the dose is raised quickly. I am not trying to say that you or your Dr raised your dose too fast. However, what I am trying to say is that from my experience with these drugs, my Dr would have never allowed me to triple my starting dose in under one week from the day I started. I was always instructed to go very slow, and allow my body time to adjust to things like the initial "honeymoon" effect that often comes with these drugs.



Or does the fact that I take 3 of 10 instead of 1 of 30 make a difference? It has been my experience that this can make a difference. However, we each can and often do respond differently to these drugs. You will likely never know for sure about that until you try different stregnth pills of the exact same drug from the same manufacturer. This is something that takes time, and interest on your part to do, but it is certainlly something that has proven beneficial to me over the years. By doing this I am able to tell which drug (be it generic or brand name) and stregnth of said drug works the very best for me.

I expected I'd get more used to the medicine as time went on but it really makes no difference taking 3 10s instead of 1 30? Yes, I know both add up to 30 but in each adderall xr pill the beads inside of it go into effect after the first few hours and then die down a bit then go on again and so on until 12 hrs are up. Does that make any sense/does anyone know waht I mean?Are you talking about the release effects?

It is perhaps true that when you take 3 x 10mg capsules instead of 1 x 30mg, that the release effects could be slightly different.

All in all it should still be having the same similar effect, even althrough the release times may be slightly different.

But I think just because you broke onto the medication slowly this time, that you are not feeling that sudden effect like you did the first time you jumped straight to 30mg.

Its just like coffee.

If you have never drank coffee before, and you deside to drink about 5 cups, you are going to feel something. ;)

Where as if you drink coffee all the time, and you move from 3 cups to 5 cups, you will feel a high, but just not as big.

Hmmmm, did your Dr prescribe you a 30 mg dose of Adderall XR just for your finals?
:-/


Technically, taking three 10 mg tablets is not the "same stuff" as taking a 30 mg tablet.
Well that's sort of the point of my making this thread..bc I don't know.

Are you talking about the release effects?

It is perhaps true that when you take 3 x 10mg capsules instead of 1 x 30mg, that the release effects could be slightly different.

All in all it should still be having the same similar effect, even althrough the release times may be slightly different.

But I think just because you broke onto the medication slowly this time, that you are not feeling that sudden effect like you did the first time you jumped straight to 30mg.

Its just like coffee.

If you have never drank coffee before, and you deside to drink about 5 cups, you are going to feel something. ;)

Where as if you drink coffee all the time, and you move from 3 cups to 5 cups, you will feel a high, but just not as big.

Makes perfect sense, thank ya!

No problem, if you ever have any more questions, then please feel free to drop me a PM.

I will be more and happy to try and answer them as best as possable.

Well, since only Shire currently makes Adderall XR, I would expect that 3 x 10mg of Adderall XR to be the same as 1 x 30mg of Adderall XR. I, however, have noticed the same difference as you have. Not a major difference, but I did notice a difference. For one, the 3 x 10mg seems to last longer than the 1 x 30mg, but for some reason, the 30mg pill seems to be a tad bit more effective. I know this because during my titration, I used 10mg XR pills, and then in the end, I was placed on 30mg pills. As far as an explanation, I can't say that I have come up with one yet.

On a side note: the original post does not necessarily reflect the views of the moderation or the administration in terms of using Adderall XR without a prescription. Doing so is illegal and is not condoned by the ADDForums staff. Posts about such are at risk for removal from the forums.

I felt the reverse, in that 2x10mg XR (taken at the same time) felt more effective than 1x20mg XR.

But, because how you feel any one day can change, I'm more inclined to say our observations have nothing to do with taking more pills with less mg's than less pills with more mg's.

I felt the reverse, in that 2x10mg XR (taken at the same time) felt more effective than 1x20mg XR.

But, because how you feel any one day can change, I'm more inclined to say our observations have nothing to do with taking more pills with less mg's than less pills with more mg's.

That is quite true. It could very well simply be the normal variability that is experienced.

Mind you, I wonder why the 5mg pill seems bigger (and have more beads) than the 20mg pill. Must have quite a bit of "filler" in it.

Hmmm.... Interesting thread.

In my experience, 1 x 30mg XR felt more "potent" than 2 x 15mg XR. Maybe its just all in my head though, since the 30mg capsule is quite a bit larger than the 15mg caps. (?) Who knows?

Just my $0.02. :)