View Full Version : Adderall IR vs Dexedrine: which is better?


luvnlife79
03-18-08, 11:39 PM
Hi All,

I am a 28 yr old female, recently diagnosed with ADD (inattentive type...hyperactivity only when trying to sleep!). My pdoc wants to try me on a stimulant (in conjunction with my 40mg Celexa for anxiety). I couldn't find a specific thread comparing Adderall and Dexedrine (maybe just impatient), so was curious to get some feedback from ya'll that have tried both. FYI, I have no insurance so the generic (IR) version is most likely what I'll be taking. So basically, which do you prefer, and why?

Also, I didn't want to miss out on any good feedback, so this is a dup post to the one under the Adderall section... Please check that thread out so you can vote in the poll! :)

Thanx for your feedback!

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ventyourpain2k5
03-19-08, 09:09 AM
I think most people prefer dexedrine because it has limited PNS action. ADHD is a disorder of the brain, so why take Adderall which has components that rather not effect the brain? That's my 2 cents. Not to mention, I think Shire realizes their Adderall is unhealthy and made Vyvanse which is basically long acting dexedrine.

jasen
03-19-08, 02:25 PM
i suffer from inattentive add as well as anxiety disorder....Adderall will give you more of a drive and a little bit more motivation....but the side effects will cause more anxiety trust me it made me go insane...dex is more calming...but it slower onset makes you have to work a bit harder for motivation and such but once you do you will be very focused and much happier..I take a combination of dex sr and ir i also take klonpin as needed or xantax as needed....go for the dex....and the ir dex is very cheap (generic) but the Sr capsules are expensive....good luck

LittlePrincess
03-19-08, 05:36 PM
Not to mention, I think Shire realizes their Adderall is unhealthy and made Vyvanse which is basically long acting dexedrine.
I disagree here. I believe Shire made Vyvanse because Adderall XR is fixin' to go off patent in 2009. Vyvanse came out just in time to get patients switched over from Adderall XR, so they can continue to have a mainstream drug on patent.

LittlePrincess
03-19-08, 05:37 PM
i suffer from inattentive add as well as anxiety disorder....Adderall will give you more of a drive and a little bit more motivation....but the side effects will cause more anxiety trust me it made me go insane...dex is more calming...but it slower onset makes you have to work a bit harder for motivation and such but once you do you will be very focused and much happier..I take a combination of dex sr and ir i also take klonpin as needed or xantax as needed....go for the dex....and the ir dex is very cheap (generic) but the Sr capsules are expensive....good luck
Yeah, I agree.... Adderall seems to give a bit more "drive" than Dex, but can also cause some anxiety. Dex IR does seem to be more "calming" than Adderall IR. A lot of people prefer Dex to Adderall for these reasons. I don't really have a preference though. Both drugs manage my symptoms very well.

DeloresMelon
03-19-08, 08:41 PM
I ditched the Dex in favor of Adderall. In fact, I ditched the Adderall XR in favor of immediate release.

Dex did little for me other than make me more alert to the fact that I was unfocused. And once it wore off, I was TIRED!

Dex didn't work for me. I don't think Adderall is a super pill but for me, it's better than dex.

luvnlife79
03-19-08, 09:19 PM
Awesome feedback!! Many thanks to you all! Interesting the subtle differences that make or break these meds... It seems like you all have tried both, is that pretty common? To find the right one?

It took me 6 different meds over 6 months to finally control my anxiety...all that switching around was hellacious on my nerves (think it made my anxiety much worse!)...sorry, got sidetracked from my own thread for a moment! :rolleyes:

Michiko74
03-19-08, 11:43 PM
Oh wow, so that anxiety I felt wasn't just me? I tried Adderall for a bit, and I thought I had some episodes where I was just super anxious. That's totally not normal for me.

I'll happily stick to my dex for now thanks!