Adderall XR Dosage Question | ADHD Information

Well from what I get out of it...She wrote me the script for 30mg capsules even though she knew I was taking 40mg a day. She did this I beleive b/c in order to override the situation she would have had to do a prior auth with my insurance which I have come to assume is an inconvienence to her.

I will just have to call her once mid month because this script will not last a month. I understand a new script is required each time since it is a controlled substance but jeesh this is a pain.

I guess it is worth it though.

Thanks again

That's nice that an MD would try and work with you within the insurance instead of just saying "best of luck".  A wierd work around though.

Yes it's a bit of a pain but it gets easier - especially when your memory improves and you can know in your mind when the next Rx is due. 

In Canada though we cannot get more than one month's worth - since all pharmacies are on canada's Pharmanet I get the privilege of having more than one month banked at my local druggist as they know not to give me above the 30 day's worth.  So I now have nearly 6 months' saved - as long as I stay with my local pharmacist.  Maybe they have similar where you are?

things are going to get way easier for you! Hope you have at least bi-monthly therapy set up - it helps as a therapist can help you learn new ways to cope with stress and new tools to avoid anxiety.

 

You should have enough pills to make it through the entire round of prescription.  Maybe your doc set you up for a 2 week trial - so you would have the amount?

As for your insurance ALL ADHD meds except for strattera are restricted the same way. Every month no matter what.  Maybe your insurance wants you to take only the generic Dexedrine Salts (adderall XR Generic).  Maybe ask your pharmacist as I know my plan demands I try the generic first.

And you are welcome!

The limit on adderall is that it's a restricted med - meaning you can not get refills and must get a new prescription monthly.  If your MD ups the med dose - you'll get a month of them.  It goes with whatever the strength.  That can be confusing until you get used to it.

For example - I was on dexedrine 10mg twice a day - so I got a prescription for 60 x 10mg capsules.  When I was upped to 20mg twice daily I got a prescription for 120 x 10mg capsules.  I must go back every 30 days to get it refreshed.

Make sense?  Don't worry - and if you find the dose you have is not working as it was - talk to your caregiver as they can up the dose or change you to another formulation.

It gets easier to understand as you get more involved in your care. 

I geuss that makes sense but my concern I geuss is that the limit on the Adderall XR through my insurance is 30. If I am only allowed 30 capsules (if that is what it means) and the highest dose is 30 MG then how will I get around it so I get the dose I need which is ending up to be 60? That is why I wonder if it would be easier all together with the reg adderall since there are no restrictions on it and it will not require any prior authorization crap..... Oh and thanks for listening and helping GlenW

Hi I need some help/advice...kind of fast well before I leave for vacation the 23rd.

I have been on adderall XR for about a month now. I was started on 20 mg and about a week and a half later I started taking two of the 20 mg each morning. This worked well. I seen my doctor last week on Thursday and she was happy to learn that the 40 mg a day was working well. My insurance on the other hand was not so happy. She wrote me a script for 20 mg tabs 2 x a day of the xr. My insurance has a limit of 30 of them or some type of rule on the XR needless to say I ended up with a script of 30 30 mg which I am now taking two 30 mg a day because 1 30 mg does not work like the 40 mg. I don't know what to do going forward. When I need a new script will it be easier to opt for the regualr adderall since there are no limits with it or what. I am confused because I hear the regular adderall can give you bursts of energy and then when it wares off you know it. I don't expereince any bursts of energy on the XR in fact I am as tired as I ever was so no changes there but I am working much better. I know this post is long but please advise me.

Okay I appreciate all the help...Now I was just looking further into this and I looked up Adderall, Concerta, and Dexedrine in my insurance companies site where they disclose if there are any limits and if a P/A is required and I found that both Concerta and Adderall have the number 30 in the limit column which I have come to assume this means 30 per month....Dexedrine does not have the limit which I find strange isn't it pretty much the same category?

I mean if the Dexedrine is going to give me the same effects then maybe I will benefit from switching so I don't have these insurance issues...

I wonder...any thoughts...I mean I could try to ask for 30 of the XR each month and a seperate script of 30 30mg tabs of the ir but that is going to cost me double what I would pay if I could just get one script!! Oh and I will look into that Shire Med Plan thing...I currently have Fallon Select does that matter???

Thanks One more thing...how come when looking online and different places it says the recommended dose for adderall XL is 30Mg a day??

Thank you all...especially for replying so fast.

Any opinions on the major differences with the adderall and dexedrine...I am very interested b/c the Dexedrine does not have the P/A needs and now I notice you mention it is cheaper which would be ideal.

 

Adderall is a combination of dextroamphetamine and amphetamine (particularly amphetamine saccharate). It contains four different amphetamine salts, but d-amphetamine is the most active. For some, it is smoother and longer lasting, but the net therapeutic action should be roughly comparable because they contain the same active chemical.

I found it harsher on the comedown, but some do not. Also, some docs are more reluctant to prescribe it because it has a history of abuse (during the 70's when it was used as an appetite suppresant), although in reality it is no more likely to be abused than adderall. It is definitely cheaper... individual preferances, that's all...

Some have already suggested this, but I'll reiterate, just to drive the point home...

Insurance companies frequently have a "quantity limit" on drugs. It's less expensive that way (for them). Once upon a time, I was taking 40mg XR (two 20's) every AM. To fill 60 20mg caps, I had to have my doctor's office call in a prior authorization with the insurance company, explaining why it was medically necessary. Ultimately, they approved it. Now I take 30mgXR in the AM and 10mg immediate release in the evening... I find it works better for me that way. If your insurance won't cover the 60 XR caps, that might be an option. On the other hand, don't give up on something that you know works without a fight. A lot of times, insurance restrictions will bend when you get your doc involved... prior authorization is not really that big a deal, it just takes a week or two to work it out. Good luck!

Well dexedrine is cheaper than adderall. that is for sure.

 but as far as insurance and shire free meds plan, well it's 5$ per month, I don't know anything more. I was just using it as a suggestion.

 best of luck.
bugzappers38666.7286342593Well maybe this is too little, to late, but

 Shire has a med plan if you cannot afford them.

 you may be able to get shire to give you 30 20mg, and your insurance pay for 30 of them.

 I have never heard of an insurance company putting a limit on how many you can get.

  I would talk to my insurance people. They have the information and the ability to make the determination to allow you.

 That would be MY first move.

 then I would push for 20mg of xr and 20 mg of ir...
The Insurance company may require a authoization form sent from your doctor or you may have to contact them for them to pick up the tab for more than 30 of the XR pills.  I believe the reason they do the 30 pill limit is due to the price and that the "are supposed" to work all day.  However this is not always true atleast not with me.  You may also try adding a dose of the IR towards the afternoon since you may just need alittle extra.  I know my insurance company covers multiple meds for adhd even though they are prescribed at the same time.  I take adderall IR in the morning and around noon with a dose of dexedrine in the late afternoon, it doesn't effect my sleeping.  I would start by calling the insurance company and finding out if there is a way to appeal there doseing limits.  I am sure your doctor won't mind talking to them if they need him to.  Good luck

[QUOTE=missy42580]Thanks One more thing...how come when looking online and different places it says the recommended dose for adderall XL is 30Mg a day??[/QUOTE]

 

everything I have read says that 30mg/day is the most that should be taken and that there hasn't been any tests on more then that dose. I think that it will be different for each person depending on body weight, metabolism etc.

Hi there friends,

Well I saw my PDOC on Thursday and he has tried me on Adderall XR 10MG. My doctor has all along figured me to be BP 2 and he said its hard to make a diagnosis between the ADD and BP2 because the symptoms sort of mask one another. He has firmly maintained all along that I am BP2 and has had me on Wellbuterin 300mg. Well after flunking all the online tests for ADHD he has since reviewed the results and decided to give this med a try in addition to my Wellbuterin for depression. He told me if I start feeling hyper or crazy to call him and this will verify that I'M BP2 and not ADHD by the reaction/side effects. Well the meds have not made me anxious or crazy and this although early just three doses into to treatment, have not made me feel this way. This may be my breakthrough in the help I need. I havenot had trouble sleeping on the two meds and will keep my fingers crossed that this is the right diagnosis. Anyone have insights to share? Does this make sense? Hi there friends,DanMac7138724.4041666667

missy- I apologize if someone already addressed what I'm saying. I read the first couple of posts and then I kind of trailed off, but I thought I'd reply anyway.

Have you tried addressing the insurance company about covering your dose of the Adderall XR? Sometimes, if an individual and their doctor talk with the insurance company, they can get coverage for their meds. If you can propose a valid argument, stating that your optimal dose is 40mg, you may be able to get coverage for 60 X 20mg per rx.

I don't know what your finances are like or how much your copay is for ir doses, but another option you could try is combining xr and ir to get the dose that you want. (If your optimal dose is 40mg/day, then try one 30mg XR in the morning along with 1/2 of a 10mg pill of ir....and then halfway through the day, take the other 1/2 of the 10mg pill and, voila, you have your optimal dose).

Also, I don't know if this would be an option for you, but if you can get by with only part of a dose or no dose on some days, you can stretch your meds so that you can take your optimal dose on days that you need. (On days where "it doesn't matter," you can take no pill or part of a pill....and then on days where "it's important," you can take your prescribed pill, plus part of another capsule). If you work it "right," then you should be able to make your 30 pills last until your next rx.

All in all, I wish you the best and hope that you can work something out! Good luck and keep us posted!