Hello all! I have some questions that perhaps someone here can answer for me. I was finally diagnosed with ADD. My doc suspected I had it as a child/teen, but never officially diagnosed/medicated me. Along with the lack of focus and motivation, I also have extreme daytime fatigue. Today was my first day on Adderall XR, 20mg. My first question is, how long does it take to feel the effects, and what does it "feel" like? So far today, it has really helped with the fatigue. I have been wide awake all day, but I dont feel speedy at all. I just feel normal and awake. However, I have not noticed any improvement in focus or motivation. When should I notice a difference in those symptoms?

My second question...is Adderall safe to take during pregnancy? No, I am not pregnant right now, however, my husband and I would like to try to concieve our third child before the year is over. Would I have to come off of Adderall before we concieve, or is it something that can be continued through a pregnancy?

Thanks in advance!

First off, welcome to the forums :)

Adderall, whether the XR (extended release) capsule or the IR tablet(instant release) is a form of a stimulant, which basically means you will feel the effects the very first time you take it and rather quickly.

Now you mentioned that your taking the XR in 20mgs. This tablet has a half-life of about 7 hours. In other words, it will peak at the highest absorbtion rate about after 7 hours of comsuption. You should notice the effects within 30 min and definintly within 2 hours. If not, then this medication isnt the right one for you, or at least not the right dose.

If you don't see significant results after like a week or so, you should contact your doctor and get either a higher dosage or a different med. :)

Hi welcome! :)
http://www.healthyplace.com/medications/adderall_information.asp
Special information if you are pregnant or breastfeeding Heavy use of amphetamines during pregnancy can lead to premature birth or low birth weight. Avoid taking Adderall unless absolutely necessary. Amphetamines do find their way into breast milk, so you should not take Adderall while breastfeeding.

As a non-doctor, I would highly recommend avoiding conceiving on any ADHD meds.
I was taking Adderall while breastfeeding, after weighing the unknown risks and benefits (There is very little definitive research on Adderall and breastfeeding, but what is there places it as the least risky of ADHD meds) on my own, then with my doctor.
My son was very, very slow to gain any weight. Now, I can't be positive that the meds were the cause, but they certainly couldn't have been helpful. If they contributed at all through breastmilk, which delivers a fairly small dosage, the effects in utero are likely to be much greater.

The main source of research on pregnancy and breastfeeding seems to be through studies of meth addicts, so they could be exaggerated risks, but I'm no longer open to taking those risks, myself.

1: Br J Clin Pharmacol. 2007 Mar;63(3):371-5. Epub 2006 Sep 12.
Links
Transfer of dexamphetamine into breast milk during treatment for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
Ilett KF, Hackett LP, Kristensen JH, Kohan R.

Pharmacology Unit M510, School of Medicine and Pharmacology, University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Hwy, Crawley, 6009 Australia. ken.ilett@uwa.edu.au

AIMS: To investigate dexamphetamine transfer into milk, infant doses and effects in the breast-fed infant. METHODS: Four women taking dexamphetamine, and their infants were studied. RESULTS: The median maternal dexamphetamine dose was 18 mg day(-1) (range 15-45 mg day(-1)). Median (interquartile range) descriptors were 3.3 (2.2-4.8) for milk/plasma ratio, 21 microg kg(-1) day(-1) (11-39) for absolute infant dose and 5.7% (4-10.6%) for relative infant dose. No adverse effects were seen. In three infants tested, dexamphetamine in plasma was undetected in one (limit of detection 1 microg l(-1)) and present at 18 microg l(-1) and 2 microg l(-1) in the other two. CONCLUSION: Dexamphetamine readily transfers into milk. The relative infant dose was <10% and within a range that is generally accepted as being 'safe' in the short term.

PMID: 17380592 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Thats all I found. Adderall is 75% dexamphetamine.

Thank you for the warm welcome and the information. After speaking with my doctor this morning, he moved me up to 40mg and I feel perfect now. I feel calm and normal. I am able to concentrate and focus. I just feel like a normal person. I dont feel speedy or excessively energetic, and I havent had any side effects whatsoever.

I am unable to breastfeed my children as it is, so I am not concerned with that aspect. Medication passes through breastmilk more easily than through the placenta. In speaking with my doctor, he said that Adderall is relatively safe during pregnancy if it is necessary. He said that if I were to concieve later this year, he would probably take me back down to 20mg for the duration. We shall see ( :

Thanks again all!

I had to get off my Concerta when I was pregnant and I expect it's the same deal with Adderall. You don't want a baby born addicted. I know you're not suppose to nurse on Adderall. I found this warning on the USA Food and Drug Administration site (FDA):

Pregnancy: Tell your healthcare professional if you are or may be pregnant because your baby may be premature or have a low birth weight. Also, your baby may show withdrawal symptoms, such as agitation and drowsiness.



With stimulent medication you usually know within an hour or two if you've got the dose and medication right. Dr. Dodson at the ADDA conference says that he only waits a day or two before changing someone's stimulent medication because you know so quickly for adults (I think he said he waits a week for kids). Most doctors will make you wait longer than than in reality, but you should know right away. When I was first given Concerta I knew within 30 minutes that it was working -- I felt calmer, a bit sleepy, I listened better and controlled my temper better.

With Adderall XR I knew within the hour that it was helping and had the dose figured out by the second day (sometimes that part takes some trial and error -- fortunately they started me close to the dose I ended up needing).

It's not like SSRI medication -- you don't have to let it build up in your system -- when it's right, you and others will usually know pretty quick.