ADHD Medication Discussions

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Comment by Jeremy Dyer on August 27, 2009 at 7:23pm

I used to be on some quite nifty meds, they worked wonders for me. Adderall was the next best thing to me and the doc will only script me the adderall and not my old med., the adderall only works maybe 1/20th as good as what the good meds are...any ideas on how to get back to the old GOOD medication and/or why the doc's would be against perscribing me the good medication?

Comment by Luke on January 29, 2009 at 9:27am

The bioequivalence is an estimate based on the AUC of d-amphetamine that is provided in each drug's fact sheet. My doctor originally told me but I also checked it out myself because the dosing is so much different. But he also said that the max plasma concentration of adderall is higher but vyvanse releases slightly more drug so it is only an estimate. When I first started taking vyvanse it took about 3 hours to notice an effect and it lasted for about 8 hours. Now it's in my system in under an hour and wears off after ~ 3-4 hours. I think an XR drug might work better for me because it would deliver 2 separate doses whereas vyvanse only delivers one very prolonged dose.

Comment by Sue J on January 28, 2009 at 7:33pm

HI Luke,
Thanks for the input. Shire, the mfr's. customer svc. folks told me there is a generic coming out in March for adderall xr. I'm curious where you got the bioequivalence amount of 70mg of vyvanse to 20 mg of adderall xr. What I found out, again from the mfr., was that they weren't able to compare dosing directly and that is why the recommend starting out at 30 mg. And honestly, later that day I did notice a difference in how I felt - tomorrow I will try 40 mg. Also, I understood vyvanse was too last for longer than adderall xr - at least this is what the pharmacist told me. adderall xr used to last for about 8 hours I think. And the Vyanse this week - I'm not sure how long exactly it lasted - it's subtle.

Comment by Luke on January 28, 2009 at 2:04pm

Sue, I have been taking Vyvanse 70mg for over a year and it is indistinguishable from Adderall to me. You might not get a therputic effect on only 30mg so I would ask your doc if a higher dose would be appropriate - especially since you were up to 60mg of Adderall XR at one point. 70mg of Vyvanse has the bioequivalence of about 20mg Adderall XR. My only complaint is that after a few months it started to wear off after about 4 hours. I'm interested to know where you found out about generic adderall coming out in March because I want to know if they plan to make an XR version of vyvanse or any bigger doses.

Comment by Sue J on January 26, 2009 at 10:37am

I started on ritalin when first diagnosed in the mid-90s and after a bit felt it wasn't helping any longer. Then was switched to adderall and eventually to adderall xr. that worked the best. I was on 60 mgs for a few years - then I got pregnant and stopped for almost 4 years. When I restarted the doctor put me on 40mg - that helped but not as much as I remembered initially. Then I went overseas for a year and was off again - (I was sort of on a vacation and didn't need it as much). When I decided to go back on it, where I was only sold ritalin - (adderall is too expensive for them). That helped me minimally as well. Now I am back and without insurance, I cannot afford adderall xr and found out the mfr. has a patient assistance program for their new med. Vyvanse. I started that today - 30 mg - I don't really notice anything so far. I prefer to stay on adderall xr - it was a good fit; but am job hunting and need some help so am trying out vyvanse. I understand adderall xr will be available in generic in March though. Does anyone have any experience with moving from adderall xr to vyvanse? I hear mixed reviews - but mostly that adderall xr is the better choice and the financial piece here is the drug company wants to push vyvanse as now (with adderall xr going generic) vyvanse will bring in a lot more money for the mfr. it's disgusting to me how these decisions are made in our country - always coming down to the dollar. Anyway-any comments about vyvanse would be appreciated.

Comment by Axendra on January 18, 2009 at 4:39am

I take dexamphetamine and it has made my life so much better concentration and thoughts are clear.

Comment by Voodoo on January 12, 2009 at 7:58pm

I know this is kind of cynnical to point out, but the wording of the description...well okay the last part. "...whether or not to take or give medication" it reminds me of how some ADD kids are giving out their meds...('hey mac wanna buy some-) sorry that just makes me snicker...

Comment by Robert on December 14, 2008 at 3:13pm

I went to walmart made my nervous.I hope it is my meds

Comment by Camille on November 28, 2008 at 8:38pm

My doctor still won't diagnose me with ADD. She has diagnosed me with dysthemic disorder and originally prescribed remron which I didn't take. She has now prescribed Wellbutrin XL, which is at least used to treat ADD and from what I have read in Dr. Amen's book is a good treatment for the type I believe I may have Limbic ADD.