Posted by med_empowered on November 28, 2005, at 18:39:56
In reply to Re: Which is Safer: Adderall XR or Concerta? » med_empowered, posted by theo on November 28, 2005, at 17:41:41
I dont take anything anymore. I started at Ritalin LA, 20mgs. Then went to Ritalin LA 30mgs. Then went to Ritalin LA 40mgs plus a 10mgs Focalin tablet. The co-pay was ridiculous--$80/month for the two meds combined. Plus, the results weren't spectacular. So, I asked my doc for a switch (Adderall XR is only 25 on my insurance;the generic Adderall IR is only 10), and he started me out on on Adderall XR 30mgs plus a 10mgs Adderall IR generic tab around noon or so. Thats a pretty high starting dose, but apparently 60mgs ritalin is roughly equivalent to 40mgs Adderall, so it was more of a conversion than a starting dose per se.
I think the usual way to go is start with Adderall XR 20mgs--at least thats what I see in my friends; I imagine it really depends on what the med is for (lower doses for depression, I think) and other factors. The FDA recommendation for dexedrine/adderall is to max out at 40mgs/day for ADHD; 60mgs/day for narcolepsy. In practice, dosages vary wildly...I ended up on 60mgs/day for ADHD.
I think Ritalin is usually first-line for ADHD, but that might just be for kids. I think Ritalin is pretty much the stimulant of choice (first-line) for depression and some forms of anxiety.
Good lucK!
poster:med_empowered
thread:583067
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20051126/msgs/583102.html