Adderall compared to Adderall XR

[RamblingSeminarian]

I would be interested in hearing from the members here who have taken both Adderall and Adderall XR what their opinions are about the extended release.  Is there less of a "crash" when it wears off?  Was it as effective as the regular Adderall?  That sort of thing.  I'm curious as to why for a single medication choice the regular would be chosen by a healthcare provider over the extended release.  Hope to hear from you all!

Sherry

[benny2248]

I have tried both and I definately like the regular Adderall better. I'm 16 and it seems to be better for me. It seemed like the Adderall XR worked worse. I definately don't have the high point that bcc83 was talking about but that might be becuase I am also taking Zoloft for anxiety. I hope this helps!

[RamblingSeminarian]

Heya bcc83.....nice to meet you!

I don't get the "high" point that you're talking about with regular Adderall....I'm more driven when I'm unmedicated.  What I notice is that with the regular Adderall, the day can seem like a rollercoaster as one dose wears off, or the next dose kicks in.  I guess the generic issue is probably the biggest factor for my doctor using the regular.  I was on meds as a child, and it seems that we went through most of the regular medications in an attempt to find the best possible results with the least number of side effects.  I had a couple of years where I was unmedicated becuase I didn't have health insurance.  The regular Adderall is working well for me, I just was thinking more about the convenience factor of taking less doses (not to mention that it would lessen the forgotten doses).

[bcc83]

hey rambling, i'm your guy on this one.  i actually just started taking adderall XR a couple of months ago and before that i had taken regular adderall at various points.  i really really like the XR.  with XR, i don't get that 'high' point where i'm moving so fast (mentally and sometimes physically) that i'm about ready to jump out of my skin.  XR has a calming effect and one can still see and feel all of the benefits of the regular adderall (high levels of focus, interest in virtually anything, increased motivation).  dunno why your doctor didn't like the XR.  it could have something to do with there being generic versions avaiable for the regular adderall and no patented generics yet for the XR.  oh, and as far as the crashing goes, the first couple nights i had trouble sleeping, but i've read that citrus lowers the absorption of the adderall, so now i take a glass of OJ an hr or two before i go to bed and i haven't had any problems falling or staying asleep...have you taken other meds for ADHD?  how have they been?