Posted by Shortbread71 on May 11, 2002, at 20:32:17
In reply to Adderall XR, posted by noa on April 10, 2002, at 15:29:13
This may not apply to you, and I don't want to deter you from trying the Adderall XR, but I thought this message board would be a good place to impart some important information about this medication.
My doctor switched me to XR, and though I enjoyed the smoothness of onset and decline, I started experiencing an allergic reaction to it! He had put me on Wellbutrin SR a few months before, and I reacted very badly to it, and stopped taking it immediately. I thought it was just the common side effects listed in the literature (thouh I seemed to experience every one). The reaction to Adderall XR wasn't as severe, and I actually didn't realize I was having a reaction to it at first. After a few doses, I was experiencing symptoms typical of an asthma attack= confusion, irritability, difficulty breathing. The symptoms had come on slowly, and I didn't know how bad they were until I decided to take a Benedryl to see if it would help. When I felt the Benedryl kick in, I felt like I had just been infused with Oxygen...as if I had been drowning and someone had just opened up my airways. My head was clear, my body relaxed, and I could breathe.
Again, I just want everyone who is thinking of trying the XR to be aware of possible allergic reactions. Yes, I may be the only person who has experience this, and No, I don't want to scare anyone away from it. I just want there to be an awareness of the possibility of this problem. It is a concern since the reaction crept up slowly and took me by surprise...I had no idea I was even acting/feeling strangely. And the fact that the allergen is not something you can get away from (close the window to avoid pollen or give the cat away to avoid dander) because it is something you've ingested is very scary...if this post can help even one person recognize they may be having a reaction, then I'll feel as if I have helped.
Regular Adderall does not have that effect on me, so I am leaning toward the conclusion that whatever is in the XR that makes it extend its release may very well be the problem. I intend to get a full allergy test under my new insurance, and see if there is any other possiblity of the cause.
I haven't found any literature on allergies to extended relief medications, so if anyone has had a similar reaction to either an XR or SR medication, or knows where I can get more information, please post! Thanks.
poster:Shortbread71
thread:102658
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020510/msgs/106046.html