Adderall XR | ADHD Information

I am on day two of Adderall XR. I have been recently diagnosed with ADD. My doctor told me to take 10 mg for 7 days, and then increase to 20 mg per day. I am 33 years old, female, and have never been on a long-term prescription med in my life.

I had a very good day yesterday on day one of the medicine, but I am worried about long-term effects and dependency.

Is it feasible that I can stay on 20 mg per day for years? Or, will I need to increase my dose because of tolerance?

all adults should be taking 30 mg adderall or adderallxr.... 20 i think is too low... im currently on 30 mg of adderall xr.... i like regular adderall better .... im kinda sluggish on the xr... im switching over back to the regular adderall next month.. im not saying xr is bad it still works good for me but i lack the energy i had on regular adderall.. xr does last like 2 hours longer then regular but i dont feel as energized or motivated on xr..... 20 mg of regular adderall is too low for me i take 30 of that too..... id try 30 if you feel 20 is too low ya know... i wouldnt go over 30 though...

That is simply not true that all adults need 30mg. There is no optimal dose for age or weight, only an optimal dose for that particular person. Some adults do absolutely fine on 5mg, while others may need to be in the 50+ range. It's trial and error, and we all respond different to each medication, and to each dose.

It is possible that you could be on 20mg for years, and it is also possible that you may build up a tolerance. As far as dependency, I think as long as you follow your doctors orders, you will be fine. Dependency generally comes from abuse. Going above your prescription, constantly increasing your dose at a rapid rate, etc.

Some people have found that if their dose starts to seem to not be working well suddenly, that if they take a weekend break, or maybe even a week break, that when they start back up again, the dose works fine. Just a little trick to help not build up a tolerance.
There are also people that just simply don't have a tolerance issue, and dont' ever have to take breaks.
Some people find in the beginning too that they do have to have a few increases. Mainly because you need to get to your optimal dose. Until you find the optimal dose, there can be a "work real well, then fizzle out" period. Of course increases should only be done with a doctors care and permission, since some people try to chase that initial euphoric feeling that you might get, and that's just not what you want.

Just work closely with your doctor and you will be fine :).

ladym38882.4133101852 Thanks so much for the replies.

Ladym, thanks so much for your comments and information. I feel a lot better knowing that I may or may not build a tolerance quickly. Building a tolerance gradually doesn't scare me as much as building one quickly. Or having to take a higher doese sooner than I would like to. I am not the type to abuse meds or go against doctor's orders, so hopefully a dependency won't occur. Although, I am aware that amphetamines can be addictive. Interesting about the breaks. I have read this before. I wonder if doctors advocate breaks?
NatalieC38882.4216319444

The first few weeks or months, you will probably need to adjust your dose at least once or twice, or try a different med (xr instead of IR or another altogether). The first few days taking a different dosage are not a good indication of what to expect on a daily basis. Your system will "settle in" and then you can get an idea of how the medication is/is not working for you. It took me about a month to learn to use my new steering wheel and brakes, since my brain had never had any before.

My doctor said that adderall tolerance is pretty rare in his experience. I have been taking the same dosage of Adderall for almost 5 years. A few months ago, I added an afternoon dose to help me finish my work day in relative peace. Some doctors advocate breaks, others don't. Mine doesn't. I agree, I really don't deal well with the frustration of trying to function unmedicated. Med vacations are the VERY ABSOLUTE LAST resort for me. *shrug*

When taken as prescribed our meds are not addictive at all, and are similar to drinking coffee (except more effective). I really want to take my meds, not because of addiction, but because I like being able to think and function normally. I have no problem skipping meds for a few days, usually when I am off work and have no need to do anything that requires attention.

Good luck and welcome! Let us know how it goes.

Reisa38882.7789930556

[QUOTE=Euphoria]Well, to be completely honest, I'm almost sure you will become dependent, but thats not exactly a terrible thing. It just means you wont function very well if you dont take it, but when you DO take it you'll be fine. [/QUOTE]

It isn't that we function worse without it, really. It is that we notice exactly how hard we have to struggle once we compare it to functioning on medication. When I go without meds, most of the time I am simply amazed at how much effort I once spent just getting through the day.

Maybe so, but I know what a withdrawl is, and I don't like it. I guess it can vary from person to person but if the brain NEEDS the chemicals and doesnt get it the reactions can be severe.

Dependency and addiction involve physical symptoms of withdrawal and increased inability to function without the med/drug. In the case of Adderall, taken as prescribed, there is no risk of dependency or addiction.

Without meds, I function the same as I ever did before meds - I just realize how distracted I am. I do not NEED them physically or emotionally. It is just a big pain in the rear and I get on my own nerves by running around in circles.

Well, to be completely honest, I'm almost sure you will become dependent, but thats not exactly a terrible thing. It just means you wont function very well if you dont take it, but when you DO take it you'll be fine. I am 16 years old and i have been taking Adderall XR since I was 13. In the course of a year I went from 5mg per day to 75mg per day. Now i take 5, 15mg pills of Adderall XR per day. I have noticed that even at 75, the effects are not the same as they used to be, however I think for me, the sky is the limit. I could be taking 120mg per day and I would still get used to it. Despite this I am not dependent on it what so ever, I frequently go days without taking any and I could give it up tomorrow if I truly wanted to. But that is just me. Well I dont know about that- all amphetamines have a potential for abuse and dependency whether used as perscribed or not. It all depends on the person.[QUOTE=Reisa]

[/QUOTE]

I am the same way, there is no addiction physically or emotionally, I simply like to take them because now I know how much they help.

well if thats how it effects you then thats great.

People who arent so fortunate not to experience no withdrawl symptoms sleep exessively (I do), are very agitated and get angry for no logical reason, and would prefer to be shot and killed as soon as possible. (I do)