Difference Between Adderall And Amphetamine Salts (Page 22)
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I was recently diagnosed with Adult ADD and have been prescribed Amphetamine Salts (Generic for Adderall) for a few months now. The initial dosage was one 10mg tablet/ three times a day and recently my Doctor upped the dosage to one 30mg tablet/ twice a day. I know that overall this has been very beneficial for me but I cant help but wonder if the generic brand (IR Amphetamine Salts) has less of the active ingredient, and more unnecessary side effects(irritability, fatigue). I know that while the active ingredients are likely to be the same, the "fillers" usually are not and even the active ingredients can vary up to 10%. I also know that everybody reacts differently depending on their bodies' make-up as well as the drugs and I have always reacted sensitively to any kind of drug. The more I "google" the more I want to stay away from the generic form. Also- almost every pharmacy around has little to no Adderall Brand IR tablets in stock, they only have the generic brands and possibly Adderall brand but only the Extended-Release. My Doctor seems to firmly believe that there is no difference between Adderall XR and Adderall IR, and because she prescribed me the generic form (Amphetamine Salts), she probably doesn't see a difference there either. I don't have the time to ask 10 doctors what they think so if anyone has any information or experiences please share! Thank you!

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I took Adderall starting freshmen year in high school because I have ADHD, not because I want a drug to make me smarter. If used properly, which believe it or not many people with ADHD do use it properly, Adderall can really help. It's not for everyone, but it is not a hardcore drug if used the way it is prescribed. Also, having ADHD has nothing to do with intelligence and it is actually common for people with ADHD to be very creative. Adderall doesn't completely "cure" me but it does help with driving, school work and my job. Please actually become informed before you tell people not to get medication that might help them.

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A common misconception about stimulants, I think, arises from quick Google searches of brand name drugs, such as adderall. The word "amphetamine" shows up and the first thought is "methamphetamine". Its an understandable response. I'd just like to explain, in a straight forward way, why this should not concern anyone considering to take adderall. First of all, the word "adderall" is the same as "amphetamine" in the same way that the word "aspirin" Is the same as "acetylsalicyclic acid". When acetylsalicyclic acid was found to general relief capabilities, it was used as the active ingredient in a new medicine called aspirin. The name of the active ingredient and medicine are now interchangeable. While aspirin as a medication contains multiple compounds, in chemistry aspirin would typically refer acetylsalicyclic acid specifically. Essentially adderall is the same as amphetamine in that amphetamine is the active ingredient in adderall, and adderall has shown positive affects of regular doses of amphetamine. To put things in perspective, eating "pure" aspirin causes stomach bleeding. Looking at the active ingredient without its binders tells you nothing about the drug.

Even if we ignored everything said up to this point, amphetamine has a undeserved bad reputation. METHamphetamine, on the other hand, probably will do all those things "Margarita from post 2" said adderall causes. Just like CO2 and carbon monoxide are only one atom away from each other, we are aware of how different they are. Methamphetamine is amphetamine but ends with NH instead of a very stable NH2 that amphetamine has. By definition, chemical names ending with "mine" are supposed to contain NH2. Usually that works well, but methamphetamine is an unnatural and unstable chemical. In fact, methamphetamine will be converted to amphetamine inside the body before anything else. This is the process that is so harmful because it releases an incredibly high amount of energy. If meth were burning wood and amphetamine were the left over ash, theres chance you could get some embers going with enough of it, but you would need A LOT. Amphetamine is the relatively stable compound that is illegally altered into hard drugs we associate with it.

Finally, for people who have adhd, amphetamine activates parts of the brain typically unused by people with adhd. Over time, this part of the brain will continue to operate even if the drug has not been used for several months or years. Brain scans have been done proving the increase in brain function. These same people on average gain 4 IQ points, as well as show an increased ability to recognize when cooperation is preferable in situations that instinctually the first response is to show dominance. Basically, other than the drug having a high risk of dependency, responsible use has positive side effects. Yes you could eat a whole prescription of it at one time and bad things would happen. Probably seizures. Still, I could that with aspirin and begin bleeding internally. As for kids, if they learn to use it responsibility studies show they will show more academic success. Also, learning when cooperation is more importance than dominance sounds a lot like being 10. I would honestly welcome any research showing a correlation between prescription stimulants and any long term negative impact. Things like sleeplessness don't count, that's as easy as adjusting dosage.

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No difference. Was prescribed both and when I got the one that said "amphetamine salt 15mg- generic for adderall" it seemed to work better and longer than the ir generic that said "amphetamine/dextroamphetamine" generic for "adderall" ir

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Thank you, Sarah, for your thoughtful response to Margarita's ridiculous assertions.

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I disagree, my insurance Co keeps changing it up, and after being on tablets (generic) for 11 years, I had to switch to time release. It made me shakey, and doing hair/pedi's/ waxes for a living, I was not happy. I'm back on the generic and I haven't been happier.

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My Dear, it is time to get a new Doctor. For the sake of your self and your daughter, go get another opinion. I was just reading on this forum above, that one person is on Adderal Extended Release AND Xanex at a small dose each day for bother ADHD and Panic Attacks. Most Doctors will not tell you that they did something wrong or ill advised you because of the liability. But there is light at the end of the tunnel...be strong and see another reputable professional. Good Luck!

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Are you an M.D.
A D.O.?
PhD in Psychology?

...High School Diploma?

No?
Then be quiet.

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During my 28 years of living with a alcoholic husband my doctor had me on Effexor for depression and anxiety daily and Xanax as needed. I am in no way, shape or form a addict of anything, don't drink, don't smoke, have never abused my meds and always followed my doctors orders. Pretty much a straight as arrow. I recognize now, at 49 years old that I have always been ADHD and it has gotten MUCH worse after having a brain tumor removed 18 months ago. They had to go through my short-term memory brain tissue and the results are more than noticeable. After being divorced 3 years ago I have been able to lower my Effexor from 150MG to 75 MG daily and I no longer need Xanax at all. So that is good but my attention span is horrible. Doctor put me on Amphetamine Salts, 15MG once daily and after 5 weeks, it's been an astounding benefit. My current husband (HAPPILY remarried, YAY) watches me very closely and can't get over the positive difference it has made in my life. I don't know if it's a IR or XR, doesn't say on my prescription bottle. I'm guessing IR. What I have noticed though is if I forget to take it I know by Mid-afternoon because it hits me like a bomb...I start feeling nauseous, anxious, dizzy/"woozy" and sooooo very tired that I have to lay down immediately and then I fall into a deep sleep. I certainly have found out what a powerful drug this is...it scares me to take it but it really scares me to NOT take it...

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Why does religion always have to be brought into every conversation... smh

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ADD doesn't make you stupid, it makes you hyper thoughtful. In my case, I can have upwards of 30 productive thoughts at a time, problem is when you try to put action to the thought, you realize there is not enough time in 30 lifetimes to accomplish what you see so clearly in your mind. I take the generic Amphetamine Salts and the IR works best. (however I do occasionally get the jittery side effects) I take it ONLY on days when I work and periodically STOP taking it for the purposes of determining any dependency issues. All and all every person is different and treatments should vary for each individual.

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Jeeze Sara, you sound so hot by the way you say this. You go on with your bad self!!!!

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Hi Sara,

Completely aside to what you stated I am also high functioning ADD/ADHD-from great schools, including ivy league-I am always having ideas run through my head I have inventions in capital markets for process patents, work full time, just finished my first book, (hopefully it will be picked up...) but my question to you, is what do you do, or use to stay focused longer and longer with ideas still streaming through your (at least my) mind. What the medical community might call 'add ons' but of a personal nature-for instance I find listening to certain music helpful when writing or working on answering emails. That said, I get tangled up in words sometimes so my emails tend to be novella's. I would be interested in anything that is legal that helps with focus-nothing light weight please-I have tried many things. In the late eighties and until it was pulled, for instance, I would purchase breathe easy tea with ma jung in the tea, and that helped a lot for focus... what are you doing that gave you the focus so you could pass classes, get a degree...finish things and not loose focus even if things/ideas flow throughout your mind.

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Thank you, I feel the same and was considering asking my Dr for the name drug not generic. I'm hoping this afternoon tired affect will disappear with that

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If you are falling asleep once you get to a certain dose means a few things (A) That you do have ADHD and (B) You are taking too high a dose.
You need to lower your dose to where it calms the mind enough to focus; not calm it to sleep!

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I been on adderall since i been 17yr old. im now 31yr old. it has taken me for a ride. First on it i felt great s*** i was going all day. Years later I started to have side effects and not even realise them. Though they were normal. I keep taking them started to lose friends though hay f*** them I'll get more. Then it hit home it started to take family from me. I know i was a good person. I seen this drug was F***ing up my life but i couldn't let go. i still won't. im still on them. not right now of curse but i will be. i hope one day ill take my life back from them

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I suffered with Add all my life and didnt know what it was. I received good grades in school, but you couldn't get me to sit through class or a book. Since I had good grades, my parents never thought there was a problem. I began to suffer from anxiety and spent 7 years on different depression medications. The worst 7 years until a psychologist took the time to sit and listen to me, observe me, and successfully diagnosed me with A.D.D. Now because of my anxiety I was extremely hesitant to take Adderal especially once I saw the label on the bottle. It said "Amphetamine Salts!" I marched into my psychiatrist's office, who was working with my psychologist, and asked her if she was trying to kill me? Lol I laugh now in hind sight! I said "this will give me a heart attack!" She turned me around and said "Go home, take the medicine, and come back in two weeks." I was in the process of moving two hours away to be closer to family and only then would I try these "Amphetamine Salts." So while cleaning my new home and surrounded by family, literally in my home, I decided to try the medicine at 10mg. I was vaccuming, listening to music, and next thing I knew I was relaxed and in bed watching a movie and fell asleep! So I went back to my psychiatrist and she up the dose to 20mg Xr. Now, 4 years later, I take 25mg XR 3x a day! I forgot to mention earlier in my post that I also suffer from insomnia my whole life. Now I can fall asleep now that my brain isn't buzzing all the time with a million and one thoughts! I do not take anything else!!! I have been Panic Attack free for 4 years and have no need to carry xanax with me everywhere I go in fear of having a panic attack. I can now drive long distances by myself and not be afraid of my heart coming out of my chest.
Adderal is a blessing!
I have a 7 year old son who has been diagnosed with A.D.D. He has even been prescribed Adderall, but I have not given it to him. As much as he tunes the world out, I cannot bring myself to give it to him. My son is extremely intelligent. He gets perfect grades in school and his teacher has everything positive to say about him. He gets 100% on every test. I do my best to instill good habits in him. He probably won't be taking Adderall anytime soon until he thinks he needs it or things change in school!
Hope my experience helps at least one other person, hopefully millions more!

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I know exactly what you are talking about. When I first realized that there was a huge difference in the different manufacturers and the fillers they put in each med. I get very ill when I take the round orange pills of Adderall. I know the pharmacist thought I was crazy when I asked them to please get me the med that does not make me sick..I talked to my doctor about this and she agreed that the fillers could be making me sick. I even wonder sometimes if there is any of the main ingredient sometimes because lately I can take 45 mg and fall asleep. I take three 30mg each day one in the morning where I break in half one of my pills and take that in my evening dose. One and a half pills twice a day. I am not sure if I am going to even stay on this med considering the fact that I can fall asleep after taking 45 mg of this med. I should not be falling asleep if I have just taken a med that is suppose to keep you awake.

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I thought you were gonna say how the religious comments were off the subject, since you wanted medical advice. There are good educated people no matter their religious beliefs or lack of belief. I am agnostic, and am here because I am reading since I have ADHD. I want to know the difference between generic and the brand name. I have only had the generic and it helps. I think it is just as morally wrong to look down on Atheists as it is to look down on Christians. That shouldn't be an issue when doing research or finding a good doctor.

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I also take the amphetamine salts. I take 20 mg daily for ADD. Lately, I noticed the effects have been wearing off at about 330 pm. I take the pill at 7-730 am daily. I am able to focus much better and only wish this was available when I was a child. I am 58. I always had difficulty paying attention and not being able to sit still. Then at other times, I would find myself dozing off in the afternoon, either in class or at work. I always thought I had a learning disability, but once I was able to seek out help for my problem and diagnosed, I was given the medication and now am able to focus and sit for longer periods of time. I have to say, it did not help with my OCD, if I know something is not completed, I cannot rest until it is done. I still wake up in the middle of the night and look in the kitchen sink for dishes. (my grandchildren always leave them)I cannot rest until everything is in its place. This is not something I want to have, and it frustrates me daily.

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Well it appears that Margarita is not building a group of friends on this site, that is for sure. I am not real sure why she is here?? Guess she was looking for a group of people that she could use her words to make others feel worse than they already feel. Well, I don't play games and I don't think I even care what she has to say. She can't even spell correctly the drug she seems to know all too well. I think it would be best if you don't have anything nice to say then don't say anything. I don't think you are here for any purpose of making anyone feel better about themselves so why don't you just go find another group to bully....Margarita, people don't seem to care for your less than polite way of speaking so why don't you just leave this group alone and think about what you say and how it is going to make others feel before posting it. Everyone has feelings and it does not seem to be a positive vibe you are projecting here.

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