I'm afraid you won't find name-brand Adderall (short acting), only generics.  The only name brand Adderall that Shire makes is Adderall XR (long acting).   You may found, as I did, dramatic differences in effectiveness of the generic Mixed Amphetamine Salts depending on the manufacturer.   One maker's MAS does nothing for me!  I've learned to ask the pharmacist before I hand them the script to make sure which generic they have in stock.  I prefer the generic MAS made by Barr, which I believe bought from Shire the patent for regular Adderall.

I'm afraid you won't find name-brand Adderall (short acting), only generics.  The only name brand Adderall that Shire makes is Adderall XR (long acting). 

Dear SmallTownGirl,

Apologize....please don't!!  I was hoping my declaratory statement that the real  Adderal IR was no longer available would elicit evidence to the contrary--and with your reply it finally did! 

Even though it was an Shire rep who told me over the phone it wasn't available any longer, I found it hard to believe.  Armed with this info from you, I will renew my quest, for like you, the generics don't hold a candle to the real McCoy!!

It's too bad they don't (can't) give out "samplers" of these stimulant meds!!  I find a rather significant difference from one generic Adderall to the next.  Barr makes one that's worked for me, but there's a different generic that does absolutely nothing for me!  you ask about taking a larger dose in order to get the same effect as the brand name... I'm afraid it doesn't work that way!  It's quality, not quantity!  But don't despair yet... if you find a generic that works, it's a helluva lot less expensive than the name brand!

how quickly I forget what I wrote!!  I've never had the original Adderall IR, so I don't know.  I suspect not.  I surfed around awhile back seeking the same info...what do others think of the various generic MAS and from what I could gather, some folks like Barr, some don't, some prefer this other generic or that other generic....   So, as the saying goes...to each his (or her) own!!

Since we're discussing the highly variable response success between name brand psychotropic drugs and their supposed equivalent generic versions, I'd like to mention an issue currently pending FDA consideraton.   Apparently Brand Name Big Pharma is asking the FDA to require that Generic Big Pharma conduct efficacy testing on generic knock-offs before being allowed on the open market.  Now, I'm no fan of the big pharmaceutical companies, brand name or generic, but in this case I have to side with the Brand Name companies like Shire.   There's no question that there is great variability in all of the various generic copies of Adderall, and since our health insurors generally insist we use the generics when available, I think it's essential and only reasonable that the generic manufacturers subject their product to testing to make sure it works.  I'd love to know how to share my feeling with the FDA on this--I think the more of us that can let the FDA know how we feel about this issue, the better!

John D- I could not agree with you more!!!

I currently had to stop taking Dextrostat(by Shire) because they stopped making it- I have been taking it for 7-8 years if my memory is serving my correctly- a long time in any case.  Of course I have now been prescribed dextroamphetamine by Barr- it is making me feel crappy- it's not therepeutically effective, and makes me the least attentive/focused I have ever been.  I am not kidding- I would be better with nothing.  I took it a few years back when the pharmacy messed up and felt the same way as well- went back and got Dextrostat for cash.  I don't think that they should have to test it just because of the insurance companies.  In my case- Shire stopped making it because generic jerks come around and drive Shire to no longer desiring to make it because they drive the price down.  Which is interesting.  I am only paying $6 less for whole botton than I paid with Shire- (no insurance right now).  They should have no right to have thier -20%/+25% crap.  Especially with meds like these- THEY ARE DOSE CRITICAL.  My life was a nightmare a month ago just knowing Shire was no longer making and the prescritpion I held in my hand would be the last (they even had to fill a few with Barr brand).  And here I am, day 2 of my Barr trial....unfocused, feeling like I hae a hang-over from taking my meds.  INSURANCE COMPANIES AND PHARMACUETICALS SHOULD LISTEN TO THE PEOPLE TAKING THE MEDS!!!

Well hopefully someone can find out and let US know how we can make sure our voices are heard by the FDA as it considers this issue of efficacy test requirements for generics!!

In the meantime, DazedandConfused--if the generic you just received doesn't work for you, here's what I did in order to not be stuck taking something that didn't work until my next refill.... I first called my doc and asked if he would write me another script (told him why-stuff didn't work), he said yes IF the Pharmacy and my Insurance Co. went along.  I called both the Pharmacy, then the Insurance Co. and they all said OK, so I picked up the new script and took it to the pharmacy and handed in the script and returned all the pills from the original prescription (minus the few I'd taken) and got them replaced with same drug made by a different maker that I knew worked for me.  It was a bit of a bother but sure as heck beats having to wait 3 months for the next prescription (I get a 3 month supply--saves $$!).

Well hopefully someone can find out and let US know how we can make sure our voices are heard by the FDA as it considers this issue of efficacy test requirements for generics!!

In the meantime, DazedandConfused--if the generic you just received doesn't work for you, here's what I did in order to not be stuck taking something that didn't work until my next refill.... I first called my doc and asked if he would write me another script (told him why-stuff didn't work), he said yes IF the Pharmacy and my Insurance Co. went along.  I called both the Pharmacy, then the Insurance Co. and they all said OK, so I picked up the new script and took it to the pharmacy and handed in the script and returned all the pills from the original prescription (minus the few I'd taken) and got them replaced with same drug made by a different maker that I knew worked for me.  It was a bit of a bother but sure as heck beats having to wait 3 months for the next prescription (I get a 3 month supply--saves $$!).