Interesting, I just found out when I went to renew my son's prescription that the XR variety is the ONLY one available in Canada.
Adderall had been pulled off the market last year for 6 months while Health Canada did some follow-up on those "Adderall-related deaths", which I guess were determined to have no connection, and then brought back. We're relatively new to this, so I don't know if the regular Adderall was ever available here.
Jonquiljo: Can you describe what your "crash" is like? Just curious to understand for my son's sake. I could totally see his crashing when we were trying out other meds (during that time the Adderall was off the market here - thank goodness they brought it back!). Scared the heck out of both of us. I don't sense any of that with him and Adderall.
PB
whats tmax? total maximum time.. you mean 1 dose of adderall xr can last 18 hours???There have been previous discussions on this very question ... I haven't done any searching back through these threads, but hopefully it's straightforward and you can find them.
My son is on Adderall XR, simply because he can't swallow pills (he's tried and tried) and we need to be able to pull the capsule apart and sprinkle it in a teaspoon of juice. That's one difference between the regular and XR...
PB
is there a big difference between adderall and adderall xr? i would really like to know some peoples opinions on here who have took the medications..... is there a big difference? a little difference? Im on adderall and am considering getting on adderall xr..........The biggest difference that I know is that Adderall lasts about 4 hours and Adderall XR lasts about 8 hours.
I've taken both while trying to discover my optimal dose on multiple occasions, going through it again now.
If I wanted to abuse it IR would probably be my choice. It kicks in quicker and leaves more sudden so you know to take another. For this reason it feels more like a drug and I can see it being more prone to abuse.
This is the generic IR btw - I have yet to try brand IR. I can take alot more of the IR at once as well as throughout the day without the tired effect XR gives me (I'll explain that next) My day on solely IR or a heavy mix of IR with XR consists of constant ups and downs. It goes from not feeling it when starting or coming off, then some jittery/anxiety sprinkled here and there in the middle. Its not hatefull nor severe, in fact my heart remains normal rate. Its more of a mental thing than a physical feeling. I only get about 1.5-2 hours max per 10mg or 20mg which is worthless. I work 12 hour days, and that makes for just too many pills. Plus the constant getting on then coming off feeling makes me feel like some kind of addict.
On the other hand taking 2 20mg XR in the morning usually does me well for the entire day. Slow smooth start up lets me gradually get more involved in work then coming off slow doesn't leave me with that "hey who turned out the lights" feeling IR does. On a few occasions I've tried 60mg XR in the morning while testing doses. On 60mg I either feel just the same as 40 or I accually get tired mentally imparing my ability to concentrate and focus. My mind doesn't wonder in the ADD way, it just feels kind of odd ....slightly drowsey could even be the word to desrible it.
In the end although XR doesn't give me the same effects it once did, I prefer the way it has a more natural feel now compared to the rollor coaster of IR. One I forget I'm on Adderall the other keeps forcing me to take it.
Does anyone have any experience with the tricyclic antidepressants like desipramine or omipramine. My son has a mild heart condition and the stimulants gave him terrible palpitaions. He was on Strattera for almost 2 yrs, but developed severe anxiety so we had to take him off that too. His teacher says he's having a really hard time focusing and getting his work done since stopping the Strattera. We started neurofeedback and he's had 15 sessions of the 40-50 he'll need. We also started Attend about 1 mo ago and I just ordered the Omegas for him. If these don't work, our only alternative will be the tricyclics. I was just wondering if anyone's kid has used them and how they did on it. I feel like I'm at the end of my rope. I'm seeong my very bright son struggling again and it's absolutely killing me. [QUOTE=jonquiljo]Yes to all of the above. I find that XR tends not to make me crash nearly as hard at night. A big plus. It does take longer to kick in in the morning, however - not that I am sure why. [/QUOTE] jonguilo how much adderall xr do you take a day? they want to start me on 20 mg xr is 20 mg of xr enough for a healthy adult male?I started on 20mg XR but ended up going higher. I now (in the last week) am on IR adderall. I find that IR give you more control, and thus need less than the XR.2005-01
February 9, 2005
For immediate release
OTTAWA - Health Canada is informing Canadians that it has instructed Shire BioChem Inc., the manufacturer of ADDERALL XRŽ to withdraw the drug from the Canadian market. Health Canada has suspended the market authorization of the product due to safety information concerning the association of sudden deaths, heart-related deaths, and strokes in children and adults taking usual recommended doses of ADDERALLŽ and ADDERALL XRŽ. The immediate release form of ADDERALLŽ has never been marketed in Canada.
Health Canada is advising patients who are currently being treated with ADDERALL XRŽ to consult their physician immediately about use of the drug and selecting treatment alternatives.
Health Canada's decision comes as a result of a thorough review of safety information provided by the manufacturer, which indicated there were 20 international reports of sudden death in patients taking either ADDERALLŽ (sold in the United States, not in Canada) or ADDERALL XRŽ (sold in Canada). These deaths were not associated with overdose, misuse or abuse. Fourteen deaths occurred in children, and six deaths in adults. There were 12 reports of stroke, two of which occurred in children. None of the reported deaths or strokes occurred in Canada.
A preliminary review of safety data for the other related stimulants authorized for use in the treatment of ADHD in Canada has been conducted. In that review, the incidence of serious adverse reactions leading to death was higher in ADDERALLŽ and ADDERALL RX combined than in the other drugs of this class.
Health Canada has asked manufacturers of other related stimulants approved for the treatment of ADHD to provide a thorough review of their worldwide safety data. Information updates will be provided by Health Canada as they become available.
Patients taking drugs of the same class for the management of ADHD should NOT discontinue their medication, and should consult with their physician if they have any concerns or questions.
ADDERALL XRŽ, a Central Nervous System (CNS) stimulant, was approved in Canada on January 23, 2004 for the management of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in children.
After having consulted with their physician, consumers should not flush unused drugs down the toilet or sink to avoid contaminating ground or municipal water systems but return any unused product to their pharmacy.
Health Canada has been in contact with Shire BioChem Inc., and will be monitoring the removal of this product from the Canadian market.
Health Canada relies on the active participation of health care professionals in adverse reaction reporting programs. Occurances of cardiac or other serious and/or unexpected adverse reactions in patients taking drugs of the same class should be reported to Health Canada at the following address:
Canadian Adverse Drug Reaction Monitoring Program (CADRMP)
Marketed Health Products Directorate
HEALTH CANADA
Address Locator: 0701C
OTTAWA, Ontario, K1A 0K9
Tel: (613) 957-0337 or Fax: (613) 957-0335
To report an Adverse Reaction, consumers and health professionals may call toll free:
Tel: 866 234-2345
Fax: 866 678-6789
cadrmp@hc-sc.gc.ca
For other inquiries: please refer to contact information.
The AR Reporting Form and the AR Guidelines can be found on the Health Canada web site or in The Canadian Compendium of Pharmaceuticals and Specialties.
Report of Suspected Adverse Reaction due to Health Products Marketed in Canada (Vaccines excluded)Canadian Adverse Drug Reaction Monitoring Program (CADRMP) Guidelines for the Voluntary Reporting of Suspected Adverse Reactions to Health Products by Health Professionals and Consumers-30-
Media Inquiries:
Media Relations
Health Canada
(613) 957-2983
Public Inquiries:
(613) 957-2991
2005-01
February 9, 2005
For immediate release
I think it's kind of important that it's pointed out that this NEWS IS OVER A YEAR OLD. Health Canada did whatever research was deemed necessary before they authorized the sale of Adderall again. If you're going to share info like that, share the whole story.
PB
[QUOTE=jonquiljo]I started on 20mg XR but ended up going higher. I now (in the last week) am on IR adderall. I find that IR give you more control, and thus need less than the XR.
Hey there slimman!
I have been on both and can definitely say I like IR MUCH better. In the beginning I was on XR and loved it, but after a few months I noticed it was only lasting 3-4 hours which made me have to supplement with IR in the afternoons. And to my suprise the IR was actually smoother and seemed to last longer. I know...strange. Anyway, I finally just figured if I was gonna take 2 pills a day, I might as well take 2 IR instead of 1 XR in the morning and one IR in the afternoon. Plus, IR comes in generic and is MUCH cheaper. I mean like compared to 0 for the XR. It's crazy! However, I do prefer name brand Adderall to generic, but it's still cheaper than XR. Some prefer generic and some say there's no difference, but I can tell a difference. My boyfriend takes Barr generic and I take name brand so one day we switched to see if we could tell. When I talked to him that night, he said "Wow, there is a difference." He thought the name brand lasted longer and seemed like purer or something....if that makes sense. Anyway, just my 2 cents worth! Good Luck!
You can control IR alot better, and you know when its wearing thin you can drink a coffee. Personally I rather take 2 pills a day (7.5)IR instead of one XR in the morning. It gives you a better picture of what the dosage is and how much you actually need. I wanted to bring this post back up because there seems to be a lot of people either wanting to switch to XR or switch from XR to IR. I have just recently switched from XR to IR and wanted to share my experieces. Almost a year ago I was diagnosed ADHD and put on Adderall XR 15. It was wonderful! It lasted all day and made my days productive, calm and VERY focused. And I slept better than I had in a long time. Imagine that! It worked very well for about 2 months. I'm also in therapy and have been for about 6 months. But then it seemed like after about 5 hours, I was scattered, unfocused and edgy. So my doc upped the dose to 20 mg XR. Well, that just made me anxious and I thought the med had totally lost it's effect. So we decided to get off XR completely and take 15 mg. IR 4 hours apart. The difference is night and day. They say XR is smoother, but for me it's just the opposite. I feel more in control when I take the regular because it's immediate and I know when it's about to wear off and try to take my second dose about 30 minutes before the first wears off. Anyway, I say if you're gonna take 2 pills a day, why not just take 2 IR. It's much cheaper also! [QUOTE=Angela H] So we decided to get off XR completely and take 15 mg. IR 4 hours apart. The difference is night and day. They say XR is smoother, but for me it's just the opposite.[/QUOTE]