80-100mg (20mg 4-5 Times Daily)

[akraft]

I take 20mg of Adderall around 4 times per day (sometimes 5) 80-100mg. However, I am only supposed to take 60mg per day as prescribed by my doctor. Without the meds my performance at work suffers severely. Whenever I try to come off the meds for a day or two.....the crash is unbearable in that I feel as though I was hit by a truck and I could literally sleep for 3 days. I am 34 years old, in good physical condition from regular workouts, but sometimes I wonder if I am damaging my health....Is the dosage too high or is this typical? I have 4 kids and a wonderful wife....I would hate to find out later in life that taking this drug (so far for 6 years) has shortened my life expenctancy. I also take Atenelol (100mg/day) for bloodpressure. Even if I stay at 60mg/day as my doctor prescribes...is this hurting me?

[Sc@tterBr@in_UK]

This is really something you should be discussing with your doctor, especially considering your blood pressure problems. After all taking too much means you run out before you get a refill, doesn't it?

If the highest dose does not produce enough of an effect, you need to discuss this with the prescribing doctor because he should be able to provide you with info about how high you can go (with methylphenidate it is 1mg/kg of bodyweight/day, with dex half of that), or any alternatives to your current medication regime.

Maybe he will "allow" you to go higher, or offer an alternative stimulant, or a combined treatment of stimulant and an antidepressant.

As for whether or not is it "hurting" you - in healthy individuals, using stimulants as prescribed should not cause any long-term side effects. Given your high blood pressure however, only regular checkups and blood tests can tell you whether the medication is having any adverse effects on your health.

[Gregster]

You are taking a lot of Adderal - around twice the daily recommended amount, I think, depending on your weight - If you're a very big guy, this is about twice the amount! And with high blood pressure it certainly could be life threatening - as an example, my father died 12 years ago, at 57, from a bleeding stroke. He had high blood pressure, was diabetic and took a stimulant for weight loss, which was sadly a very bad combination. I don't mean to scare you, but I'm telling the truth - you could be putting your life at risk.
The crash you mention when going off the pills for a day or two is troubling as well. Usually the "crash" people talk about is right when the drug wears off, and lasts only a few hours. Your symptoms sound like they border on withdrawl.
Please talk to your Dr ASAP
Regard,
Greg

[Gregster]

Another worry with large doses is amphetamine induced psychosis. It has been observed in long term users at doseages from 55mg to 75mg per day. Psychosis is not common at these dosages, but it does happen. The study I read recently (but I can't now find the link) noted that the average one time dose to induce psychosis was 500mg (some took much more) . The psychosis fades after a few days.
Not a huge risk to your health, but at work, even a one day psychotic episode would be potentially carreer limiting.