Posted by Robotron2084 on July 14, 2010, at 9:46:02
In reply to Re: Dexedrine vs. Adderall pharmacology, posted by Dr. Ace on December 28, 2008, at 18:05:47
> pH level is usually not a major determinant of drug absorption. Usually little drug absorption occurs in the stomach.
> Further down the alimentary canal is the small intestine, the first 6 inches or so of which is the duodenum. The majority of nutrients, vitamins, and drugs, etc. are absorbed in this section of the gastrointestinal tract.
> The total surface area of the stomach is much less than that of the small intestine (where most drug absorption occurs). The lining of the small intestines is composed of many villi, or "fingers" that cause a very large surface area that provides better absorption.
> The passage of a drug through the intestines is usually slow enough to allow complete drug absorption into the body.
>
> Legal Disclaimer:
> These statements have Not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.
> This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
>
>
Hello (long running thread!)Thanks 3 beers for some great information. First, Adderall® according to you, is not specially formulated for ADD/ADHD symptoms. If dexedrine stimulates my left frontal lobe into action more locally and with less peripheral stimulation, it's more logical a medication for ADD/AADHD symptoms (than Adderall). Unless Adderall is found to be tolerated better by an individual with effective results, or for some reason just works better for an individual, or at a much lower dose (though I don't know why it would, though it may I suppose). Some people "crash" but I don't really feel too bad when my regular generic adderall wears off and I take 40mg, I just start to feel a little tired or worn out, start to get restless and want to maybe do something more passive like read a novel or god forgive me turn on my Television. I started Dexedrine 20mg a week ago and it's better I think. But as it wears off in effect, some people may feel worse than with the mixed salts formulation, if that has ingredients with elimination rates that "let you down" more gradually. I'm just guessing,throwing the notion out there. I stand to be corrected. My problem with the prescription change is I don't think 20mg Dextro is enough vs the 40mg Adderall I was taking. It is also extended release Dexedrine, my doctor prescribed it that way by accident I think, because "dexedrine spansules" apparently are only made in extended release form, although that to me at least isn't obvious, I thought spansule just means "capsule". I'm not even looking that up, correct me if I'm wrong but spansule doesn't mean extended release i'm sure. It should be called dexedrine ER or XR, and in fact that's what my bottle says because I got the generic replacement. Otherwise I would not have known, which is kind of wrong. That means it's very different in its action, adderall's effects on me lasted much longer than the typically stated 8 hours. more like 12 or 13 even sometimes. Instead of taking them spaced about 4hrs apart I'd take both 20mg pills in the morning if I sensed that this night might be worse than usual for my sleeping or knew for sure it would for some reason. Or take just one pill, this also making me feel in control over it, knowing I could be snorting centigrams of it up my nose like it were coke. (It'd last a lot lot longer than coke tho and I'd be hearing voices in my head after the 5th day sitting in the same chair not eating and designing a time machine or something, clenching my teeth. So don't try that please. Even snorting your regular dose, know what might happen? You go to bed, and there's some residue in your nostrils or nasal cavity, especially if you smoke, and it trickle down now that your lying down. Make other plans 'cause you ain't sleepin' tonight!)
Adderall XR I think was developed for profit alone. 2 different prescribers really tried to push it on me after I'd been taking regular generic adderall for 3 years and was completely happy with it. My insurance is paid for by state and federal taxes so I had ethical concerns about taking basically the same medication that, I have not recently checked, but it's significantly more expensive than generic amphetamine salts. I was taking 20mg pills usually about 4 hours apart. The extended release supposedly does the same thing--except, what if I don't WANT a second dose 4 hours later, or plan on a longer working day than usual and want to stretch the dosages out for longer. These aren't unusual situations for me- far from it. I want to control my own medication.
The American Journal of Toxicology has I think 4 published studies on this issue of absorption/excretion. Essentially dosage vs urinalysis, however each study shows enormous variance in excretion levels, and the most recent attributes this both to individual metabolism as well as gastrointestinal acidity.
That info sheet you get for patients warns against taking antacids with adderall. Also you're told that drinking acidic beverages may affect absorption of it. Specific examples of some acidifying and alkalizing chemicals are listed both for stomach and urinary ph. I have not read the pharmacokinetic datasheet.
It perhaps is a rare medication to have its absorption and excretion be so moderated by stomach and urinary Ph, but as a magic 8 ball said "all signs point to yes".
poster:Robotron2084
thread:98610
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20100709/msgs/954451.html