Can Adderall stop working??

[JENNA1030]

I started taking 10mg of Adderall back in July. Around September I started taking an additional 5mg at noon time. It was working great for me untill about two weeks ago. All of a sudden I feel like the 10mg in the morning are doing nothing for me. I am sitting here at work, my leg bouncing uncontrollably, my mind racing and as of yet I have done no work and I have been here two hours. I have taken an additional 10mg, (I know I shouldn't but if it it doesn't work I won't again and if it does I will call my doctor asap) about 15 minutes ago.

Has any one else on adderall had this happen to them? I was loving how it was calming me down and keeping my attention at first, but now it's like taking a sugar pill.I know you can build a tolerance to them, is that what has happened to me????

Help!!!!

[medlearner89]

As someone with a genetic neuromuscular disorder that produces ADHD, I can attest that cognitive therapy and productive psych work is not the complete catchall solution even if it the basis to management. Some people NEED to have an adjustable medication solution and to basically suggest ADHD is solely the result of unaddressed neuroses or constructed psych view view blah blah is rude and unhelpful. If someone isn't currently in psych work they should definitely begin that of course, but I would recommend an immediate restructuring of how you take the medication. Adderall as an amphet is not a permanent fix, but can in effect serve as a permanent coping mechanism if it is used less often/less consistently for only days or periods of severe symptoms. Severe ADHD suffers may never have perfect management or "cure" but the goal is actually the most effective management, which is the most amount of "normal" feeling functioning with the least amount of medication. Your need for it will constantly change, as tolerances build or decline, and as contributive factors like depression/stress/drug use change. Vitamin C even from unnoticed sources does immediately flush some amphetamine from the bloodstream directly into the urine. Additionally, producers may adjust the balance or even makeup of the four salts that create Adderall. Continue to take the medication while slightly weaning even if it ***** for a short time, rather than stopping and refiring your chemical dependence as strongly. Always consider taking extended release over the immediate release when possible. Consider patiently moving to the norepinephrine (Straterra) with Adderall IR as a transition/backup. Take less. Take it less often. And most importantly, be upfront with yourself about lifestyle because diet, sleep, exercise, and stress management are the backbone to how much Adderall you need in everyday life. This will all help prevent sudden tolerance. As always this is not medical advice but questions to discuss with your doctor.

[kdkeenan]

Thank you, I've been dealing with similar tolerance issues (partly due to other mental issues, lack of sleep, and now other medications) and I found this to be really excellent and thorough advice.

[woozy]

Adderall *****, plain and simple. There's people who like to believe that if you have ADHD you won't develop a tolerance, but it's B.S.you do. It's legal speed. You get a tolerance, you have mental changes similar to cokeheads and meth heads, just a lot less severe--think paranoia and mood swings and the lot, even your teeth rot quicker. You can stop altogether and get cognitive therapy and read about cognitive therapy.. I did what you did..taking many mini-breaks and during those breaks I could barely get myself out of bed and was very moody. I was only on 15mgs!

[slm166]

Yes - you can definitely build a resistance to adderall.  I've been taking it for over 3 years and this has been a primary issue I've had with it.  Being in grad school, I often find myself suddenly unable to concentrate & then realize that my resistance has built up again.  The only thing I can do to help this (besides increasing my dose) is to go about 4-5 days without it.   It's far from a good solution, but it does work.  Actually, I just stopped taking it today - it's very inconvenient but there are really no other options.

[Cateyes0901]

That happened to me,and ritilans been MUCH better!!! Vyvance is also a solution!! After use of all medicine we must change after a while! Hope this helps! Its saving me, and my job!!

[Sandman2]

   I know that if you take a citric acid like orange juice close to the time you take your dose it will dramatically decrease its effectiveness.   And having a high protein breakfast will increase its effectiveness.  But, its probably best to let your doc know what is going on.

[shiloh1979]

It has been 3 years any updates. I seem to be having the same issues.

[Sandman2]

    Unfortunately,  what can also happen is that your body does get used to it and you need more to get the same effect.  It will typically not happen to someone with ADHD, but is kind of normal for a person without ADHD.  And that is kind of how people wind up being addicted to it.  I've got a feeling that this is what is happening to.  
   In other words, its not the medicine that has changed, its you.  The easy way to tell is to take ritalin.  Its easy to figure out equivalent doses.  See how that affects you.    

[Kirk21]

I called Shire and argued with them about Adderall having changed. I actually got through to one of their scientists and he said that the generic is exactly the same as the Adderall. Teva somehow got the right to produce Adderall. That company has the worst drugs there is. They are trying to turn a big profit at our expense. I have been taking Adderall for two years. Around the end of last year I noticed a definite change. I was back to being extremely tired. I have to take Adderall because I have MS and that is the only thing that saves me from staying in bed. I have no strength without it. I know that it has changed because I always had extremely dry mouth while on it, now I don't. I also lost a lot of weight, 110 pounds. It completely controlled my appetite, now I'm back to my old ways of eating everything in sight. All of this adds up to the medicine being changed.

[phollan1]

Different manufactures are now making adderall. The original maker's patient ran out so the new makers are filling it with fillers to make it cheaper to produce. Now you need more to get the same effect.

[Sandman2]

    Almost sounds like you are over dosing yourself.  To folks without ADHD that amount would send them up a tree and around the block.  But a person with ADHD when given too much will actually shut down.  Talk with your doctor.  You might do better with out the IR.  Or its possible that you just didn't give the smaller dose enough time and then went to the over dose state.  At any rate, your doc should have some experience with this.  Do let us know whats up.  Best wishes.

[Frustrated40]

For years, I was on and off Adderall XR, anywhere from 10mg-60mg. I recently went back on them, started off with 10mg, worked my way up to 70mg. The 60mg XR in the morning, then 20mg IR in the afternoon...... worked wonderful! Was out for a few days, started back on the 60mg and it did NOTHING! After 2 hours I took 2 of the 20mg IR.....still nothing! I know it was stupid, but today I took a total of 120mg in the morning, again...not a thing! Just my usual sluggish, sleepy, moody self. I even fell asleep watching T.V. about 2 1/2 hours after I took 'em! Any clues?????

[maky158]

Because of the word S *U *C* K

[collinoro]

why are there ***** after adderall in the last two posts?

[quamesha]

Yes, I had the same problem. I take 10 mg in the morning, and had to start taking 5 mg at noon. What has worked for me, is I only take the Adderall on the days I go to work, and every week, for the weekends, I don't take it. By Friday, after having taken it all week, it's not working as well, which lets me know it's time for a break. Saturday and Sunday I don't take it. It *****, because on those days, I can't get out of bed and get nothing done all day. But by Monday, it's right back to working as well as it always did. So far, I've been on Adderall for about a year, and this has worked.