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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 9 of 9. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by BackOfClass on January 30, 2004, at 10:41:58
I hope that this question makes sense and I can get the answer I am hoping for. I know that the Immediate-Release Adderall (or Dexedrine) lasts about half as long as the Sustained-Release. Here is where I need some clarification. If for instance I take, for example, 40mg of Adderall XR, how does it compare during the first 4 hours with the Immediate-Release? Since only half of the 40mg of Adderall XR is Immediate Release, would the first 4 hours be comparable to only taking 20mg of the Immediate-Release, then the last 4 hours another 20mg of Sustained-Release? I ask this because I use to take 40 mg of the Immediate Release, but now I am taking 40mg of Adderall XR. The effect of the Adderall XR, although longer acting, it is much weaker – I assume because the 40mg is spread over a longer time. With that said, should be taking 80mg of Adderall XR? I have taken 80mg and it seems to be doing the trick, but I need someone to confirm my assumptions and perhaps link me to an article or study that I can present to my doctor in order for my dosage to be doubled. Thanks!
Posted by Dandy on January 30, 2004, at 13:19:55
In reply to Sustained vs. Immediate-Release Adderall?, posted by BackOfClass on January 30, 2004, at 10:41:58
Originally I was prescribed 'regular' Addarall, 20mg tabs, 2x/day. I was getting about 4 hours of feeling clear headed, alert, able to concentrate, etc. Never more than 4 hours tho. My doc then prescribed me the Addarall XR at the same dosage...since it is supposed to last longer. I still got no better results. We went back to regular Addarall and my doc upped my dosage to 60 mg/day...prescribed in 20 mg tabs. I have found that I only have a need for the entire 60mg on 3 out of 7 days. Because the tabs are scored, and not time release, I can also break them in half and take only 10mg, when I don't really need 20. So usually one of the 3 days out of 7 that I find I need the extra boost, I will only take an additional 10mg. I know this isn't scientific, but did want to let you know that I had the same occurrance when I switched from regular to XR.
Posted by utopizen on January 30, 2004, at 13:40:04
In reply to Sustained vs. Immediate-Release Adderall?, posted by BackOfClass on January 30, 2004, at 10:41:58
Adderall XR, although I've only tried IR, is simply like 2 Adderalls. One is released immediately, the other 4 hours later. Slight over-simplification, but that's pretty much the summary of it all.
It's not like Concerta, it's not some high-tech formulation that gradually released layers and layers of medicine using specially-designed pill compressers. It's just a drug designed to keep kids from needing to re-dose at school.
Posted by BackOfClass on January 30, 2004, at 13:52:08
In reply to Re: Sustained vs. Immediate-Release Adderall?, posted by utopizen on January 30, 2004, at 13:40:04
I understand what you are saying, but what I want to know is if the part that is released immediately is the #mg on the bottle or half of it? For instance, does Adderall XR in a 20mg strength have 20mg immediate release or only half that - that being 10mg?
Posted by scott-d-o on January 30, 2004, at 13:57:57
In reply to Re: Sustained vs. Immediate-Release Adderall?, posted by BackOfClass on January 30, 2004, at 13:52:08
> I understand what you are saying, but what I want to know is if the part that is released immediately is the #mg on the bottle or half of it? For instance, does Adderall XR in a 20mg strength have 20mg immediate release or only half that - that being 10mg?
of course adderall 20mg is the total amount of drug in the pill, so...
20mg adderall XR =
10mg released immediately
10mg released 4 hrs laterso if you were taking....
5 mg adderall bid = adderall XR 10mg qd
10mg adderall bid = adderall XR 20mg qd
20mg adderall bid = adderall XR 40mg qd
Posted by BackOfClass on January 30, 2004, at 14:00:59
In reply to Re: Sustained vs. Immediate-Release Adderall? » BackOfClass, posted by Dandy on January 30, 2004, at 13:19:55
Thanks for sharing your experience. The doctor has me on 20mg 2x per day and compared to the immediate release or taking 20mg 4x per day, it just is not the same.
Posted by BackOfClass on January 30, 2004, at 14:07:27
In reply to Re: Sustained vs. Immediate-Release Adderall?, posted by scott-d-o on January 30, 2004, at 13:57:57
Thanks for summing that up. So if 40mg of the immediate release was doing the trick and now that I am on Adderall XR at 40mg, I am only at my peak at half the dose that I was on? Is there something I am missing or should I ask my doc to double the dose?
Posted by blondegirl47 on January 30, 2004, at 15:17:49
In reply to Re: Sustained vs. Immediate-Release Adderall? » scott-d-o, posted by BackOfClass on January 30, 2004, at 14:07:27
I used to be on adderall xr, it seemed like it never really kicked in. My pdoc let me take 12.5 mg adderall with my 2 20mg adderall xr. I eventually went to dexedrine spansule (sr) with 12.5 of adderall. Adderall seems to be more drying that dexedrine and I was getting very bad dry throat. It would take a 2 or 3 glasses of water to get any kind of pill down.
Be sure to take your adderall on an empty tummy and stay away from vitamin c and citric acid during the day when you want your medication to work. It lowers the effect greatly. Food especially lowers adderall xr absorption. Sometime it will just delay it a few hours and then you get to look at the ceiling all night while your trying to sleep :)
hope this helps
Blondegirl
Posted by noa on January 31, 2004, at 11:52:25
In reply to Re: Sustained vs. Immediate-Release Adderall?, posted by scott-d-o on January 30, 2004, at 13:57:57
fwiw---when I switched from Adderall regular to Adderall XR, I went from taking one 10-mg pill in the early morning, one 10-mg pill mid-day, and one 5-mg pill around 4 pm, to taking one 30-mg pill in the early morning. The effect felt the same, only better because it was much much smoother, with no rebound at all. And, of course, much more convenient and consistent because there were no subsequent doses for me to forget to take on time.
This is the end of the thread.
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