Difference Between Adderall And Amphetamine Salts (Page 26) (Top voted first)

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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Your analysis is simply not true across the board. I have used Adderall for many years, and it not only instantly cured the depressive fog under which I wallowed for my entire life, but I like to say that had the affect of "putting glasses on my 'brain'." I am just trying to bring to your attention, that your one-size-fits-all analysis is just that - and does not apply to everyone. I have tried to cut out the Adderall on a number of occasions, but, within a few weeks, I ultimately descended into a confused mental fog and become quite depressed again. Adderall, being a salt "dries up water - excess emotional discharge and confusion," and this is a metaphor for how it helps me. Just thought you'd like to hear the other side. Of course, you MUST have a reputable and skilled psychiatrist working on one's behalf to monitor the situation - which thankfully I have.

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I agree if your IQ is 3 x more than the person that is making you mad your IQ is only half a person's smartest, common sense is the other half. I agree with other people responding to you. It's the web, people can voice themselves. Smart or dumb, all can make posts. If you don't like it don't read it. Info is why I use this site not drama.

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Margarita- I completely disagree with you on this, just like everyone else. I have been diagnosed with adult ADD, and should have been treated as a child, but doctors didn't take it seriously in the 80's and as a result of that I grieve for an education lost because I couldn't sit still or pay attention, and so many other things that come to find out were a negative affect of non diagnosis. Now I am taking Amphetamine Salts, lithium for my bi-polar disorder, and while the Amphetamine can have the effects of an amphetamine to people who don't have ADD (reasons why people try to buy them on the street) for those of us who actually have an attention deficit problem, those are not the effects that plague us. I am able to focus, my appetite has not diminished nor have I had any issues sleeping like I would if I were on "methamphetamine". Since my diagnosis of bi-polar and ADD, I am a calmer, more focused and less of a mess than I have ever been in my life. Taking meds everyday is going to be my normal for the rest of my life, and if it brings me happiness instead of depression, I am all for it. Your obvious ignorant comments do nothing but show that you have some sort of addiction issue or just an ignorance issue and you should not speak out about things you know nothing about.

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Where did she say stupid ? I just read everything and didn't see her say stupid anywhere? ??

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Brand name IR is not currently on the market. The company only continues to make the ER caps. issue is the same. I would like a little less salts and a little more nactive ingredients. For me, the salts just 'keep on going'.

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I recently took a pill yesterday and today. I don't normally do this but I had to try them; in the past adderal made me very irritated and crappy feeling. I tried these because the prescription said amphetamine 2 salts. I've never seen that but they didn't do much. They made me tired and a little energetic. I took three 30 MG. THEY WERE OK. NOTHING LIKE ADDERAL. I DIDN'T COME DOWN ALL OWNERY AND IRRITABLE. I TOOK A XANAX AND WENT TO BED. TODAY I DECIDED TO TAKE ONE. IT GAVE ME A LITTLE ENERGY THEN WORE OFF QUICK. THEY ARE NOT THE SAME AS ADDERAL AT ALL BUT THATS WHAT THEY WERE SUPPOSE TO BE BUT SAID DIFFERENT ON THE BOTTLE; DIFFERENT FORM OR SOMETHING BUT I WOULDN'T CARE TO TAKE ANYMORE. THEY WERE MELLOW AND WEAK AND 30MG. MY OPINION THEY'RE BETTER THAN ADDERAL WITHOUT THE SALTS BECAUSE THERE GENTLER ON YOUR BODY AND WOULD BE ENOUGH FOR ADHD.

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What ? Lol I take 2, 30 mg name brand adderall a day. So your comment is false. I also take one 30 mg xr a day...all name brand

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I'll comment on this one. I believe you misunderstood me. I was saying the salts are better for real ADHD. I could feel them work better on ADHD than adderall. I consider myself somewhat of an expert in pharmaceuticals, I study them daily. I like the 2-salt amphetamine better for ADHD. But I'm still studying adderall and know they are not the same, not completely. Adderal has a stronger effect, much stronger. I do not like them. It's not a brand name issue, it's a salts. Either two salt amphetamine that says exactly that on the bottle would be the best for real ADHD but 70% of people that claim ADHD are just addicts looking for a high. The very strongest prescription form is phentermine but its not for ADHD, its fin'fins sister drug meant for weight loss. Very rarely if ever prescribed the second strongest is ritalin however its spelled but has a bad bad come down. I will look into ADDERAL further.

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After reading your post, and I am just learning about Amphetamine Salts ER 15MG- is what my 7 year old grandson has been prescribed, for his evaluation of ADHD.Parents say they noticed a great improvement in his behaviour....On his visit as I live 400 miles away- I forgot to pack his medicine...I thought his mom said that she had some at home, but I guess I misunderstood her because she hasn't been able to get more, for some reason, and now4 days later he started having his old symptoms again.I offered to overnight the meds, but since I haven't heard from her - I'm assuming she has fixed the problem I caused..sure hope so..I just don't like this ADHD being so popular in our children today, and all these drugs to fix it.Perhaps it is an evolved condition stimming from our very own food approved by our FDA, that is full of artificial flavorings, and preservatives.....just food for thought...next generation thought too!

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I'm a fifty plus year old male that was finally diagnosed with ADD six or seven years ago. I've been doing fine taking "AMPHETA/DEXTRO COMBO" until this past year. Three years ago I accepted a job that requires a CDL so, of course, random drug/alcohol evaluations. Eleven months ago and last month I was shown positive for Methamphetamine. I'm wondering if pharmaceutical Methamphetamine could have been substituted for Dextroamphetamine at the manufacturer?

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@Margarita (post # 2) You sound like you misused prescribed medicine and are an irresponsible adult with poor decision making skills and an addictive personality. Just because YOU don't know how to manage your life doesn't mean everyone else is that stupid. Trust me, your just a cynical, overly-biased bag lady...kiddo..

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OK, I didn't get a response on my question about Adderall generics. The way I understand the generic guidelines I read is that on a therapeutic alternative drug the active ingredient does not have to be the same as in the brand name drug as long as the same action is achieved over the same amount of time with a similar dosage. I would like to know if it is possible that the makers of ampheta/dextro combo could have substituted methamphetamine for dextroamphetamine. Would they have to disclose the fact?

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The XR form of amphetamine salts (generic) in my opinion is much more effective, compared to the IR form. The XR doesnt hit you as quick as the IR, but the feeling is a steady long lasting affect, with less negative affects ( sweating, anxiety, racing thoughts, impacience). I have been on all forms throughout the past 15 years, and i find that the generic 20/30 mg XR amphetamine salts (small beads) work the best. You can control your dose easily, and reduce the negative affects on your own. The drug is released evenly over time, so you wont just peak, and then fall every 4-5 hours ( i call the fall off my brain dead phase). The feeling of XR is consistent and longer lasting ( it is like the peak feeling of IR pills for 3-6 hours) and then a steady decrease; total activity is usually about 8-12 hours depending on metabolism. I have been using only 30 mg of XR per day now that ive begun to regulate my dose. I take 1 of the 30MG XR capsules and pour half of it out into another similar sized capsule. I will take my first half (15mg of XR, half of a capsule) at 8/9 am, and then i take my second half around 12/1pm. The affects are steady and last me about 16 hours by doing it this way. I no longer have any negative side affects, and it does not affect my appetite. I believe that the main reason you are getting side affects is due to the quantity you take per day, your tolerance level which has built up very high,elevated blood pressure and dehydration. I am betting that you have to use the rest room 4-6 times per day (for a #1) and this is because of the amount of amphetamine salts in your body at one time. I used to take 3 of the 30 mg IR pills per day and 1 of the 10MG IRs if necessary, and i would have many negative affects. Once i figured out how to take the XR , i have never changed again. (Its been about 8 years now that ive been using just XRs)

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WOWSERS. "My IQ is 3x yours"

Pretentious much ?

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I would find a new Doctor! I have been taking Adderall for year's now I take 20mlg 3 times a day(your Dr is lying about 20mgs being the highest dose! The "recommended" highest dose is no more than 60mlgs daily ie. 20mg 3 X's daily or 30mg 2 X's daily. But there isn't a set cut off dose! A Dr can give a much higher dose but Ins companies won't cover it. The Dr. has to apply for special cercomstances for exp. and the Ins company reviews the request & decides to cover it, not cover it, or may want the Dr. to jump through more hoop's?). As for you feeling sleepy after your medication kicked in (vivance? I think u said) that is a common side effect!! I have the same problem with my Adderall & so do my friend's on Adderall. You will probably experience the same or similar issue switching to Adderall. Withdraw symptoms from all of these ADHD medications that are a "stimulate"(narcotic) is extreme fatigue & tiredness!! I am not sure why a lot of times when I take it I'm nodding out or feeling very tired? I experienced this more with certain generic brands & less with other generic brands? I also exp a lot of bad side effect's with all the generic Adderall. I started to think I had some serious medical condition or something but after doing a lot of research & blog reading about it I learned I wasn't alone. The answer seemed to be switching to the brand name non generic IR Adderall but it was around $400 more than any of the generics. I then was considering switching to something else or just stopping meds all together after 2 more yrs of these side effect's like extreme irritability, mood swing's, depressed thoughts & feelings, headaches, extreme sweating/feeling hot, skin problems, swollen ankles/feet, & a ikky agitated feeling that often made me feel sick to my stomach. Until one day stopping into a Walgreen's Pharmacy to fill my script & the assistant asking me "do u want generic or brand name?" I said I didn't know I had that option!!? & she double checked my Ins.& yup I had coverage for brand name! So of course I said brand name. It's been 2 months & almost all of those side effect's are gone! I still get hot & sweat a lot & my ankles still swell once in a while but that's it. I was told that the brand name tabs are not "salts"? & the information paper that always comes with any medication does not say anything about salts anymore it just say's Amphetamine/Dextrophetermine. I to am Bipolar & when I first started Adderall I to went into a manic episode for about 6 months then into a serious depression with suicidal thought's. I found out I was pregnant & it changed everything! I still take Adderall but I'm very aware of my mental state & if I notice signs of either depression or mania I go see my Dr. I do not think in my opinion kids that are bipolar, suffer from any depression, personality disorders or angry mood swings should be prescribed Adderall or the other 2 ADHD medications that have a stimulation effects as children typically can not see the sign's of mania/depression happening to ask for help before it becomes out of control & possibly causing harm to themselves, someone else, or dramatically effecting their life in someway! & same for a lot of adults. Another thing you mentioned was that you suffer from anxiety & well so do I! A lot of Drs will not prescribe medication for both because one is considered a "upper" & the other a "downer" which can be very bad for your heart if it's being pulled "up" after being very "down" it's not natural and cause's a lot of heart attacks (often very common with addict's that for example abuse crack and cocaine all night then take a bunch of xanax or tranquilizers to come down & sleep). I am prescribed Klonopin 1mg 2 X's daily & it doesn't have that "downer" effect on me! I don't take Adderall to try to get high or energy & they don't have a "upper" feeling to me & I'm cautious. I STRONGLY feel in my opinion Benzo's(xanax,klonopin etc) should not be prescribed anymore than a couple days, a few a month to have invade of a panic attack, or in the ER for emergency use only. Benzo's have the 2end worse & most dangerous withdrawal symptom's alcohol being #1. Like with most Narcotic meds your body becomes dependent on them & when their taken away your body goes through withdrawal symptom's! I don't care if the Dr tells you that you can slowly ween off them(or any narcotic med) without going through bad withdrawal symptom's.... In most cases that is NOT true! I wish I'd known everything I know now I would of never touched them! I just wanted to share that with you because you mentioned your Dr. saying you had to treat one can't treat both. I would skip the benzo & try Busbar or anything non narcotic. Anyways so YES there is a huge difference between Generics & Brand name Adderall there is a reason their $400+ more than all the dirty generic Brand's. I don't feel like it's only the inactive ingredients either I feel like the Active ones are different also. I read they are but I don't really know? Trying to find out their exact formulas I have the generic still looking for the brand name witch I believe I found?

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My opinion is DONT TAKE ANY STIMULANT'S! You or your son. From my experience & watching tons of my friend's experience's is how I formed my opinion & with any narcotic medications there are side effect's but worse & more important Withdrawal symptom's if you stop taking then, miss a dose or lose your script etc.... & why take something knowing if you ever want to stop taking someday your going to go through hell for weeks? You have that choice but your son don't!! They do make non narcotic non stimulus medication for ADHD why not start with that first at least. Adderall is now a category D narcotic! Level 2.. I'm 38yrs old 4 yrs ago I never heard of Adderall now every person Im friends with is taking it & addicted even the nurses at my Drs office are? It's crazy... I actually have ADHD & I may switch! I've had them stolen several times! I have friends beginning me to barrow a few? Save yourself & mostly your son all the mess & look into another medication! & not Vyvance it not much different than Adderall its just weaker! I can't spell it but I think its called Strageara or Stratiera? This is very popular & non stimulus non narcotic medication!! Good Luck

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I have just recently been described this medication because I went in to the doctors office completely fatigued. I asked them to take my blood to make sure everything in my body was going ok. I have been taking it a couple of days and it seems like its harder to concentrate on the drug. I did get the generic and if the name brand doesn''t do this I would much rather have it. It has completely helped my fatigue, but is hard to concentrate.

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In my opinion you should read the comments on the problems with certain generics. I have not tried the Sandoz brand because I can't get it in my area. So out of the three brands I have to choose from the Teva B 974 has been most tolerable. Stay away from Auribindo and Core. Forget Name brand, I don't believe you will get that anymore. I read where the original manufacturer had even sold it's XL version to another company effective this year. The original was Shire.

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Jessica, thank you for posting your story. You are an inspiration to educators and parents alike. Our children need more teachers like you and more programs like yours. Rather than question why so many students have attention, behaviour and learning difficulties, I believe it's time we start to question our (linear) education system.

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I take adderall 30mg 1 & 1/2 tabs a day along with one 70 mg vyvanse tab a day for add and ocd and xanax for anxiety. And yes the adderall is not as good for treatment as vyvanse but I have such a hard time focusing on everyday tasks I have to use both and it helps me a lot, but also everyone reacts to all medications differently, so it may just take trial and error to find the right meds for you.

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