What Adderall dosage do you take? | ADHD Information

I was diagnosed w/ AD/HD ~ 8 mos. ago, and at the moment I'm taking a combo of Zoloft and Adderall.  While Adderall seems to be the "drug of choice" these days, I metabolize it relatively quickly....... w/in 2 hours I'm coming off the dosage (20, 40, 60 mg per dose, it doesn't matter).   Now that I'm taking Zoloft the stimulant lasts a bit longer, but nothing significantly different.

For those of you on Adderall, what is your daily max dose?  What time(s) during the day do you take it? 

 

 

 

 

I'm glad to know there are others out there that find it less than perfect!  My Psych.  said that in the 15 yrs. he has been practicing that he has never seen anyone go through dosages as quickly as me (I should tell him to get on a message board).  Actually, I think your level of responsiveness depends on your own biochemistry.  Different drugs work for different people. 

As far as Adderall working too strongly for you sometimes, it use to be that way for me.  When I focused, I focused and it was awesome - I could think about and do so many different things! But, I realize now I was hyperfocused - so much so I could sit at my computer for 8 hours straight w/out taking breaks.  Zoloft has really helped balance the intensity of the Zoloft.  However, I now have to take higher doses of Adderall since I'm taking Zoloft. 

Alot of people have secondary problems that stem from having ADHD.  I definitely had/have anxiety problems and Zoloft has really helped w/ that.  The Psych and I are still working on the proper meds and doses for me.  I go back soon and there is the possibility he'll also put me on Wellbutrin to help increase the longevity of Adderall.

It's definitely frustrating!  I've been working at this for 6-7 months now and only in the last 1-2 months have I started feeling "efficient" and calm.  Its also been very hard b/c I'm in grad school.  I have to be mentally "on" on a daily basis - which hasn't been happening the last couple of months.

Any other comments???

 

 

 

 

and I forgot...........  

about foods - I'm sure each individual works differently, but more protein and less carbs work for me.  There is a book: Healing ADD: ... the 6 types of ADD by Daniel Amen.  Its a great book.  He discusses diets and feels that most w/ ADD do better on a high protein diet. 

 

     As a side-note on the diet tips...Make sure that you are avoiding ascorbic acid. It interferes with the adderall absorption, which could be a reason why it sometimes seem to not work, or wear off quickly. It can be difficult to avoid it totally, being that many foods contain vitamin c, or some form of the ascorbic acid (especially for people who like their juice, fruits, fruity candies, etc!)...but it's important to minimize your intake.

     Also, make sure that you have a balanced diet....or at least take some vitamin supplements. I have always been a candy/carbohydrate feind, so I find  that trying to get in at least a few healthy things during the day and taking a multivitamin each night really helps. Regular exercise is also extremely beneficial. I find that when I keep active, I have a lot more focused energy and I feel mentally and phsycially better.

     I am personally on adderall and adderall xr. I'm supposed to take 75mg of the xr each morning and 10 mg regular each night. However, I have pretty much learned how much to take and when to take it, so I don't always take that amount.

     Regarding the longevity of the drug, it really depends on the individual's brain's metabolism of the particular chemicals. This is also why there is such a variation in the required dosages. Some people may only need 5mg adderall xr to work all day, while others may need 50mg just to get them through 8hrs or so. If the lowest effective dose becomes too high, many doctors will try other med options with the patients' best interest in mind.

I take adderall  - 30mgs 3X day...I have found it tricky. The only other med for ADHD I have tried is Ritalin and it turned me into a zombie! Sometimes though I fell like the adderall really isnt working - and like you said sometimes it will be gone after 2 hours instead of 4...why did your doc say this was happening if you dont mind me asking???

I was taking 40mgs but found that it worked but almost to strongly...I would take a dose and see nothing then I would take a mid day dose and it would be to much so I found that 30 works the best for me...but for instance I took 30 at 8AM this morning...it is now 9:25AM and I am still like ugh! I dont feel like doing anything - I tried doing HW and only could do a little before I was frustrated.

Have you heard anything about eating different foods when taking adderall can help it work better etc.

Oh by the way - I take my doses around 8AM, noon, 4PM every day...I cant not take adderall everyday or I will turn into a psych B (you know what!)

I am curious to see what other people on Adderall have to say about it

Hi,

I just joined and I am so thrilled to find this board!!
I am taking Adderall XR 15 mg once a day and it usually keeps me in a agood mood an able to work like a champ all day , sometimes until 2 am. I like to kickstart it with a strong cup of coffee in the morning, It seems to really work better.

I also want to add that exercise is a great help. I do Yoga now 2-3 timea week and I want to start running again. It makes such a difference in my overall mood and physical wellness.


I just found this fourm and I'm glad I did.  I was concered about my 7yo daughter who's been on Adderall xr for 3 months.  In that time we've gone from 5mg to 10 to 20 and now 25mg.  My concern with her, is the same that many of you have already stated, that some people just metabolize it quicker.  

Hiya!

I take 15mgs of Adderall every morning and another 15mgs between 3 and 5 every afternoon. My classes start at different times. It kind of works. When I wasn't on it, i was a total recluse. Cut off from everything, stuck in my room almost 24/7. In class I totally terrified to look in the back of room when someone was talking, I couldn't talk to anyone my age (I'm 20). I was self conscious, I didn't care about my appearance. I was totally dead and hard to get along with. Very negative.

Now I'm on it, thats changed. It works great. I'm alert and I can do things. I cut 1 30mg pill in half and take one half twice a day. Sometimes I take the full 30mg at once. That works even better than the 15. I'm even more focused and alert. Sometimes on the 15mg I still get easily distracted and sometimes I can't get things done, so the 30 works. But when I take the 30mgs at 5pm, I stay up until 6 or  7 the next morning; I have so much energy. 

But I don't know how to get the effects of the 30mgs without the insomnia. I haven't really asked my doctor about it, though. I go to a psychologist and he consults with the medical doctor that writes the prescription (he's not my MD and we don't even talk when I pick up the prescription). I was thinking that maybe 20 or 25mgs twice a day would work, but I'm not too sure. 

But for now I'm on 15mgs, even though the 30 works better  but stay up all night! LOL

Ever since I got it, I've called it "my little miracle drug."

I've been diagnosed with ADHD when I was 7 and they put me on Zoloft when I was 14. That didn't really work. But I was on it for like 2.5 years. After that, they put me on Paxil. Then Prozac. Then Lithium Carbonate. Then Risperdal. None worked. Now I'm on Adderall, I couldn't be happier. , though I need to get the dosage correct... 

So yeah, thats my story. Even though it's a bit long!

Diet and exercise are very important.  I knew not to take my meds w/ any citric juice, but didn't realize that you should shy away from ascorbic acid.  That knocks out alot of foods - the only things I can think of off the top of my head that don't contain it are raisans/prunes, lettuce, and asparigus (i think). 

Exercise is also key.  This is one way I've always self-medicated myself (reduce anxiety/relax me) before I was diagnosed.  I've read and also agree that vigorous exercise 3-4 times a week is essential.

As for the female issue:  Yes, your monthly can decrease the efficacy of your meds. 

 

I am taking aderall 15mg 2x a a day for about 1 week...my doctor had me work up slowly to that dose. Yesterday I had an all day conference to organize and facilitate...so I took my first dose at 6:30 am and another at 10:30 am...then I tried a third dose for the first time around 2:30 pm...I think I hadn't had enough to eat because I felt confused...as if my brain was shutting down...I would have a thought and run into a complete dead end.....it got better after I had a snack...I also feel like my vision is affected sometimes.....anyone else with these symtoms?  oh and one more strange thing...this one is for the girls...does it affect your monthly cycles?

 

Im on 5 mg of adderall 1nce or twice. it kicks ass