new Adderall user question | ADHD Information

"Amphetamines are thought to exert their effects by blocking neurotransmitter reuptake transporters and
facilitating neurotransmitter release, whereas methylphenidate is thought to act primarily by blocking reuptake transporters."

quote from: Elia, J., Easley, C., & Kirkpatrick, P. (2007). Lisdexamfetamine dimesylate. Nature Reviews Drug Discovery, 6, 343-344.

gingergirl, I assume you are taking a generic form of Adderall (the name brand IR version is astronomically expensive thanks to Shire's strategy to move folks over to Vyvanse).  There are a number of generic manufacturers of the IR Adderall, and I've had remarkably different responses.  The oblong orange ones (made by Bahr Lafboratories I think) work OK, the round pink ones (same strength, 20 mg.) don't do a think for me!  I can tell because I get sleepy when I'm on 'em--not the usual response when taking a stimulant! 

So, if you stick with Adderall IR, the next time you go to fill your script, ask the pharmacist first if they can give you another brand to try (I specifically request to not have my script filled with the pink ones).  If that pharmacy says no, try another one!  Or, maybe have your doctor specify on the script that it shouldn't be the one that's not working for you.

Another option is to try the Adderall XR, which is more expensive than the generic but quite effective, and smooth, at least for me.  (I take one XR and one IR/day).    Regarding chones note on how Adderall operates, I believe it actually works both ways on the brain...one ingredient causes release of more dopamine, the other ingredient keeps the dopamine available longer once it's released between the synapses (re-uptake inhibition).

Hi,
I am perplexed by my first experience with Adderall and wondered if
others had any opinions on it. I was recently diagnosed with ADHD,
primarily inattentive, and am so relieved to learn that I am not really a
lazy, uninterested toad.

The first med I tried was Focalin XR. The effect was immediate and
astounding. I have NEVER been able to focus like that. It was like taking
off a blindfold. I could actually hear and understand people when they
were talking to me. Unfortunately, the Focalin seems to make me feel
pretty down, depressed, and cranky, especially when it is wearing off. We
went from 10 mg 1 day to 15 mg 2 x day, which worked GREAT for focus
but made me nasty to be around.

My doc then tried me on Vyvanse. The 30 mg had no bad effects but no
noticeable benefits. 50 mg made it much easier for me to start tasks I
would usually put off and it helped somewhat with focus. Definitely better
than nothing.

I am now going to a different doc and he wanted me to try Adderall to see
if it works better for me. Adderall IR is apparently his med of choice and
he prescribed 20 mg IR 2 x day. What is weird to me is I absolutely can't
even tell that I have taken it. It does nothing at all. I read about the citric
acid interaction so I started watching out for that. Still nothing. It has
been almost 2 weeks and I very stressed as my work is slipping back to
where it was when I went in asking to be evaluated for ADHD In the first
place. I don't think a different dose would help much since the 20 mg
does absolutely nothing. I am afraid that he will think I am a pain but I
feel that I have to call him this week. I am just curious if this seems
strange. I mean, I know everyone is different but 20 mg. is not the lowest
dose. With both Focalin and Vyvnase I could for sure tell I had take them.
It's almost like it's a placebo!

Thanks to anyone who wants to respond. hello gingergirl ---

i think the two drugs work differently (i am a little tired so i might not have this quite right) but focalin/ritalin i think they work by increasing/stimulating more dopamine production to be released into the synapse whereas Adderall works by blocking the re-uptake of dopamine and keeping it in the synapse longer that way.

if your problem is with low production of dopamine - then altho the blocking the re-uptake may have some little effect - perhaps you are better off with a methylphenidate type drug such as focalin or ritalin rather than a dextroamphetamine salt like Adderall.

just a thought, anyway.  ask your doctor - i guess he/she ought to know.  good luck.
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