Just curious if there’s a scientific/biological explanation for why an IR version of a med would work with some people, but the XR version would not. Is it not the same substance just delivered slightly differently?
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I’m curious because I’ve read on here multiple people who have claimed success with Adderall IR, but not the XR version. My ADD coach has had the same experience where she hasn’t had luck with XR, but IR works great. I brought it up to my Psych (he’s an ADD specialist dealing mostly with meds) and he says this is incredibly rare and shouldn’t really happen. Does the slow release technology mean that for some people you might not ever get the full amount in your system at the same time? Are there differences in how individuals absorb a slow versus an immediate release?
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I’ve been working to find the right medication program for me. I have felt relief with Adderall XR, but it’s been inconsistent. It’s still somewhat early and we haven’t been very aggressive with dosages yet, but I’ve been wondering if I’m someone who would have more success with IR. But I’d like to understand the “why” that might be the case before I ask my doc to consider it. Any insight would be helpful.<O:p</O:p

For me, it's not so much that the XR doesn't have therapeutic effects... It does. But I prefer IR for several reasons. First, perhaps paradoxically, I don't crash when I take IR, but I do when I take XR. Second, I like to have more control over when I'm medicated and not. Many times, if I'm not having a particularly challenging day, I will skip doses of my IR. I think this also helps me with tolerance.

agreed. On time released or xr meds as time goes by on a therapeutic dose I start to feel like I did after a week of football practice while lifting weights in the morning on an empty stomach in the middle of allergy season . I just thinng it wears you down. When I take ir meds I'm off asleep if I don't take a evening dose around 11pm, while the xr meds dont tend to keep me up much more I don't get that major normal tired feeling at the end of the day as a person should that I do on ir meds.

The XR versions are less potent or concentrated than the IR versions. For example, Adderall XR 60 mg releases only 30 mg right away, and 30 4 hours later. Adderall IR 60 releases it all immediately, causing a much more powerful effect that some people need. Some people do not need to have low level coverage all day, but rather shorter, more powerful coverage.

The extended release versions are also more unpredictable because of their release mechanism and how it relates to your digestion and metabolization of the drug. Sometimes, a Dexedrine spansule will not release any medication until after 6-7 hours after taking it. By that point it's worthless.

Or, it could hit you all at once and make you sick. It is just unpredictable and uncontrollable.

Whereas with the short term, you know how long a dose will last, you the onset is quicker so you can take it when you need it and time it for when you need it.

For example, Adderall XR 60 mg releases only 30 mg right away, and 30 4 hours later. Adderall IR 60 releases it all immediately,


This is true, BUT...if you are taking 60mg of XR and switched to IR they wouldn't put you on 60mg, they would put you on 30mg twice daily. So, technically, the XR aren't less potent, they are just released differently so you don't need to remember to take more meds yourself.

Just wanted to clarify so no one gets confused. :D

Granted- 60 mg XR = 30 mg IR x 2 daily. The thing that may also happen is that the thing that makes the drug release slowly may also not sit well with some people.

I take IR- 40 mg (20 mg x 2). Personally, I prefer the fine tune control I have with it.

Yes, for me I have 60 IR and usually take 40 at once in the morning, and 20 in the afternoon.

I couldn't get the same type of experience with XR. In order to get 40 at once I'd need to take 80 XR.

I'm one of those people who has success with IR meds but had terrible experiences with XR meds. My theory is that the XR delivery mechanism is just unreliable. It might release the two doses exactly as it's supposed to, in the right quantities and at the right times, but it might not.

I mean, you're relying on the medication to administer itself. That little capsule doesn't have a brain. It doesn't have a graduated cylinder. It doesn't have an egg timer. How can you expect it to measure out the proper dose and deliver it at the proper time? I think that's asking too much of a little capsule.