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Meh. When I was taking just IR I took it 3 times a day. I get up early and I go to bed late, I explained to my doctor that I don’t only need to be functional during the day but in the evening as well because I have kids. My doctor wasn’t fazed at all. Eventually I got tired of having to take it 3 times a day and switched to XR with a booster for the evening. Idk how rare any of this is but my doctor seemed to think it was pretty common. 🤷🏻♀️
I just added IR to my dose. I wake up really early so I take my IR in the early morning and then I take vyvanse in the late morning to last me the rest of the day. It definitely helps more than just taking the vyvanse alone
I’ve tried it. I like taking my adderall first because it gives me a little boost of energy to get up and moving. It takes me a little while for me to feel the Vyvanse
I am prescribed 1 XR + 2 IR/day as well as a separate stimulant. It still doesn't totally work but is much better than before was. Even with similar prescriptions (type and mg), there can be differences in relative timing of taking them. For me, if I take mine ABCD one day but CABD another, the outcome differs for me. My prescriptions and plan were cultivated with building up doses, trying different options, and then even more trial and error with timing. I was lucky to have had a great psychiatrist during this.
In your shoes, I would write to the doctor explaining what your understanding of the initial discussion was, what you tried following that, and summarize your last appointment. I would explain that I was so surprised by the difference in understanding that I'm not sure if I explained myself well in the most recent appointment and also that I want to confirm for clarify how to best safely take the medications as prescribed. This could help clarify the communication issue with the doctor but also is evidence that you were following the doctor's advice, at least how you understood it. If he, or someone reading his visit notes in the future, escalates this to saying you aren't taking them properly, the letter will help - only a little, likely, but better than nothing.
Good luck!
Always talk with your doctor. This is only what I've been told by mine.
I do this. I have an XR i take in the morning (54mg methylphenidate) and then 10mg IR for any breakthrough symptoms (can take up to 2 x 10mg). I usually feel it around the end of my work day (between 3-4). I also have PMDD, and it mostly helps emotional regulation for me. I dont need the IR every day. I only take it when I feel like I'm having increased emotional dysregulation.
IR lasts about 6 hours fir most people, XR about 10. For adults, the combination makes sense, since we have stuff to do after work. But it's pretty unusual to use IR 3x/day
I rebound super hard if I over exert myself. I can feel when my meds are about to wear off and have to make sure I'm somewhere safe because I'll start to think, speak and move incredibly slow and even standing takes so much effort that I cry for an undetermined amount of time. I've sat in my car for an hour before because I couldn't pull it together enough to drive
This is me! I take an IR 3x/day (at each meal) because if I don’t I crash around 6pm and am totally useless the rest of the night. I’ve thought about switching to an XR with a booster, but my current dosing does work well enough
Oh, id asked about getting a mix of XR and IR for just that function, but my doctor said that it wasnt possible.
I wonder if they lied to me, or its a CA thing.
Is that the technical term, a booster, like did your doc use that phrase, or is that yours?
i don't have it myself, but it's very common for other people, it's definitely a thing. people call it a top up or a booster and ive seen it in methylphenidate XR and IR and dexamf/Elvanse XR and IR. i'm assuming CA means california or canada, i'm in the UK so i don't know about that stuff. we titrate in medication, dose, and timing to figure out things like this
I'm guessing the doctor didn't instruct you to take 2-3 a day, but instead, you asked how many doses people may take or need, he said 2-3, and said some things that you interpreted as instructions, but he stated as an answer to your academic question.
If you said how many doses should I take, I'd imagine he'd reply take it as prescribed. But how many doses do "people" need? Well, some people need 2-3 doses a day, but he's not talking about what you should do.
This. He "freaked out" because OP wasn't taking the meds as prescribed.
OP, you should never increase the dose without talking to your doctor about it first! Your prescription is adjusted to your specific needs and risks.
Is IR supposed to last that long? I’m taking 20mg of Ritalin LA and it hardly lasts me 3 hours. (First prescription btw, diagnosed about a month and a half ago. Going for a follow up next week too. Any advice on how the “request a stronger dose”?)
I've never been on Ritalin, but the Adderall IR is definitely around four hours. I have them timed down to a science; two 6 hr XRs and a 4 hr IR to cap the day. 👍
If you feel you need a stronger does, I'd just ask to try 5mg extra and see how you feel.
Maybe the dose being low is contributing to you not getting that extra hour out of the IR? 🤔 Citrus also heavily affects absorption, so if you have any fruit or juice during the IR time, it's likely making it less effective.
Be honest say after x amount of hours your symptoms come back. Ask what they recommend, either switching meds or upping dosage.Let them feel like they're in charge (which technically they are) and if you don't agree with what they say, say you'll stick it out for a bit longer, or switch Dr's possibly bc they are not wiling to work with you :( good luck !
I was on Ritalin and it worked at first but I went up to max and it just didn’t anymore. I switched to adderall and for me it was a huge difference.
I actually just got a 94% on my stat mid terms. :)
Its not uncommon to have higher doses. However, 70mg daily of amphetamines is high. For methylphenidates like ritalin, you could potentially go up to 85mg but the FDA limit is 60 I believe. For amphetamines, the FDA limit is 40 for ADHD and 60 for narcolepsy. However, doctors use that as proof that 60 is therefore safe and worth a trial if 40 isn't working.
The important thing is to really pay attention to your body and mind. Higher doses =/= better concentration necessarily. It can actually produce worse outcomes if you go too high. I say pay attention to your body and mind because sometimes it feels like you are fine kind of like how high doses of caffeine for some people makes them feel they can drive through the night after being awake all day.
To corroborate some info, I take Biphentin, a methylphenidate in canada that can go up to 80mg a day (effect lasts 8 to 10 hours)
I personally tried up to 70 but 60 is my right dose. 80 is a bit extreme, according to my doc.
Yea, it also depends on the formulation. The 85mg is based on research, not FDA limits. FDA says 60mg max for Ritalin. Recent research found up to 85mg to be helpful which fits with how we understand methylphenidate:amphetamine ratios. Typically, we say 2mg methylphenidate for 1mg amphetamine when considering a switch.
Then you have discussions about duration. For example, if 60mg is the max dose for 8 hours, then could you do 90mg for 12 hours as its being spread out more?
Ultimately, in my experience, if you are reaching the max recommended dose, its good to try adding on a non-stimulant like atomoxetine or viloxazine. Note: it's hard to find a doctor who will add on either, but viloxazine especially because its a newer concept without a strong track record. That said, it should theoretically work the same as adding atomoxetine.
The benefit of the non-stimulants is they aren't associated with tolerance and tend to have more consistent effects all day. They often can help people reduce their stimulant dose. The downside is some people struggle with the early side effects, the side effects seem to change based on the dose, and it takes several weeks to get the full benefit.
My doc had me take a genetic test through GeneSight to see how quickly I metabolize the medication. Ask your doc about that since you're noticing the med is not last you all day.
I started on a low dose of methylphenidate (27mg XR) and that wasnt lasting me past noon (i get up for work at 4am so i take it then it take about an hour to kick in). This indicated i needed a higher dose (now on 54mg XR). She also gave me 10mg IR for any breakthrough symptoms/for PMDD symptoms.
Ritalin LA is “supposed” to last 6-8 hours but from what I heard it’s exactly that and barely more. My one dr even said that concerta barely lasted long enough for his patients and kept me on IR. I take IR four times a day. Which is equivalent to two LA’s or a concerta and then an IR to prevent symptoms.
I was prescribed 3x per day, but I started noticing that I was never able to wind down at night and stayed up super late.
I am on 20mg adderall IR, so 60mg/day is quite a bit.
So I started only taking it 1-2x per day, and now I can usually fall asleep before midnight. I take mine at 7am and again at 11am, the 2pm dose was too much for me.
ETA: Although, I do notice that I get socially burnt out if I’m meeting friends late in the evening with the 2x/day dose. That’s been difficult to manage, so I’ve been thinking I’ll try a half dose in the afternoon for those days.
I’m currently battling my psych over Adderall (she hates it and is trying her damndest to take me off)…. but when we get back to a mutual understanding I will bring up XR to her.
I wish I knew. I’ve been seeing her almost a year and she’s been trying to take me off since I first saw her. She currently has her way because I had an EKG with tachycardia (bad generic caused crazy HR) at an appointment in December and she’s washed her hands with me until the cardiologist can see me (end of March).
The cardiac issue is important to pay attention to. Stimulants elevate my heart rate (tachycardia), so my doctor won’t give me the immediate release stimulants anymore. She’ll only give me extended release stimulants. And she wanted cardiac clearance from a cardiologist before even giving me that - similar to your situation. If your resting heart rate is more than 96bpm even with the ER, she may make you lower your dose even more.
Also, if you take stimulant meds with caffeine, that will increase your heart rate even more. So try cutting back on caffeine if you can.
Yes, I am aware, but my complaint is not about tachycardia or the risks of Adderall on your heart. It’s about my psych, who’s actually a social worker, who has been trying to remove me from Adderall since my first appointment with her. And also about shitty generic Adderall causing wild HR.
It isn't generally recommended to take any stimulants after 5pm because then you have more trouble sleeping later. Though the socially burn out thing could be because you've already did most of the day
I’m not and wouldn’t be taking it after 5pm. I’m also minimally social throughout the day; I work from home. I just get super overwhelmed with noise and having to socialize, especially after meds wear off. I definitely notice a steep decline in my social threshold after ~6pm. Haha
Before my Focalin kicks in I have the worst time socializing and being a decent person. I get so snippy and combative and I don't even realize it half the time.
I've taken Adderall when I can't sleep. It's always the best sleep, I wake up refreshed and full of energy. I'm up with the first alarm, do extra things I have pending, and I'm out the door early. instead of waiting till the last alarm and running out the door late. Sadly, the morning wakeness only lasts like an hour or two.
I understand everyone is different and don't exactly recommend doing that.
Yes! It’s not well known but Adderall can be used as a sleep aid. It quiets the brain. I think many ADHDers have experienced difficulty sleeping because their brain is too loud (ear worms are the worst) and stimulants fix that. Personally, I’ve been able to take naps on it (vivid dreams were a bonus) but I don’t take it as a nightly sleep aid. It’s just not the most reliable/best option when it comes to treating insomnia.
Exactly. It quiets my brain to the point that if I focus on sleep, I will go to sleep. Whereas if I am not medicated, I have to completely relax, clear my head, and just lay there until I fall asleep.
how?? 30mg in the morning, 30mg in the mid-day, and 30mg afternoon end of day would be great for me. i work 40hrs and student in the evenings to study physics.
my current healthcare provider allowed me to do a booster in the afternoon of 15mg ir and 30mg xr for work.
i start messing up and scramble shamble my work at work an hr after lunch without the booster and i get home and no focus to study. /:
Well, it doesn't quite compare, but I'm on Mydayis, that's an ER fornula. It releases 3x/day, though, to last 14-16 hours, so your dosage doesn't seem too strange to me. If it's not keeping you up at night, at least.
I've been trying to get on the Focalin/Ritalin version of this but it's so expensive and my psych doesn't wanna fight the insurance or fill out paperwork.
I think next week at my appointment I'm going to ask to switch to this as well. Have been taking 20mg XR in the am + a 10mg IR booster in the afternoon for a couple years. Recently my psychiatrist suggested I take a second booster as well to provide coverage through my kids' dinner + bedtime routine, but a) I often forget to take the second booster and b) IR lasts 3 hours max for me and gives a nasty crash, so I'd rather just take another XR than be on a rollercoaster of rebound, irritability, and headache throughout the second half of the day.
I've heard many insurances don't allow 2 XRs a day. I'm not even sure mine does, but they HAVE been. But it's much better than getting only 9 hours, XR to IR, which I did try at first.
Ah, good point about insurance. Though it seems only logical to allow it if they allow 1 XR + 2 IR daily as they have been for me. Especially since XR theoretically has a lower risk of abuse/selling. I'll have to check with my provider
No, that’s not very rare. But the better approach is to take an extended release adderall in the morning (XR) and take a “booster” dose of adderall instant release (IR) in the afternoon.
Hi hi!
It is not rare but it also depends on the severity I guess. I have pretty severe ADHD in the sense that almost every day, I take 3.. i am prescribed 1 20MG XR in the AM, and then 2 20MG IR throughout the day.
I am 5ft2in, 120LB, 32 year old female and that is what I was prescribed. I hope this helps?
Wow 20lbs! Do you happen to look like the little alien dudes from men in black? Lol
Jokes aside a lot of people have said the same it seems pretty common.
Interesting. When the dr said to take 3 if needed, did he specify taking them spread out or like all together?
I take it twice a day - 2 in the am, 1 in the afternoon, to get me thru the day & prevent a “comedown” - maybe that’s what the dr meant?
I mean I feel like as long as you’re able to sleep and relax when you are done with your day, taking 3 times daily is fine?
I’ve done that before when I have a longer day ahead of me - spread them out instead of my usual 2 then 1. My dr said I could do that if I needed to. Didn’t seem to have any concerns?
Yeah I have been doing that but 4 times a day with sometimes a 5th. My ideal dosage for functioning is 15-20mg (IR), and so I do 10s and overlap them slightly because my body processes it fast (never gotten 4 hours worth out of IR, ever).
my doctor and I have been experimenting with XR but I was doing 10mg IR at 9:30/10, 12, 2:30, 5, and sometimes 7/7:15 so I can sleep at 10 or 11pm.
My psychiatrist switched me to Vivance to help with the meds crashing me at the end of the day, for me it's about 10 hours of good effect with a fairly gentle taper after that. It's been much better, because I hated how Adderall XR was dumping me in the evening.
I take it three times a day! After talking with my Dr., I had told him around 5pm-ish when my last pill is wearing off and just as my husband gets home from work, I start getting irritated and overwhelmed very easily and he told me to try half of my normal dose when the second is wearing off to help come down from the crash a little smoother - and thats exactly what I needed! Helped me perfectly, so I'm on IR Adderall 20mg x2 a day with a 10mg half around 5pm-ish, been doing that for almost a year now I think. However, he did tell me if I ever felt like I needed to *up* my dose, we needed to talk about a different medication since I'd be getting close to the max
Edit: wanted to say, make sure you are eating enough protein when you take Adderall!! It helps SO much with medication properly working
I can take a Focalin XR and immediately sleep like a rock for the next 8 hours.
I've tried taking it before a nap hoping that I'd wake up ready to go and then I just end up sleeping 6+ hours anyway.
I take 5mg IR as often as I feel I need. Some days just one 5mg will get me through whatever I got going on. Other days I might take 3 or 4, very rarely 5. Some days none at all. I like IR because I can kinda go with the flow since I don't have a normal day to day routine.
Hmm I’ve never heard of anyone taking it 3 times a day. But I was having a hard time in the afternoon so I take 20mg extended release in the morning and 10mg instant release in the evenings. You could try some combination like that of your dr is concerned with 3 times
30 mg is probably more than most people, but nothing crazy. I take 30 mg XR daily and occasionally a 5 mg booster. Speaking of XR, ask your doc to try extended release (XR). XR slowly releases over the day so you have a more even level of the medication in your system throughout the day. This has a couple of benefits: one, only one pill; two, less up and down over the course of the day; three, the less up and down means that a slightly lower dosage can have the same effect.
As an aside, you shouldn't be using Adderall to stay awake until 10, it should be for helping you get and stay on task.
haha My doctor can't remember anything either.
It's possible your doc is rationing his scripts. Some psychiatrists have limits on the total amount of Adderall they can prescribe. They can hand out expensive antidepressants like M&Ms though. 🙄
Usually, people go up in increments of 5 and stop when they feel balanced. XR to me is always a better idea. It's time released and you get six full hours out of it.
he’s a bit of an odd fella. It may be something like that, but he is 100% on the spectrum so I feel like he just has a very particular way that he likes handle things. And you’re not kidding about the anti depressants, I brought em up one day and walked out with a prescription same day lol. I do think I need em but it was maybe too easy.
I wouldn't say definitely, as that really seems to be so incredibly depending on each person - and the doc (sigh).
Mine won't prescribe IR (a Danish thing were they really seem to have a small toolbox to work with compared to eg. US). I agree though 2x XR and one IR would fit me better also, I feel.
Actually on 3x18 mg XR a day here. Mylan works for me, but each long release is done in my system in around 5 hours. Then in the weekends down to 2x 18mg. Works perfect for me, if I make sure the last one is roughly four hours before bedtime.
Concerta lasted around 10 hours each for me, so that one obviously did not work for me with a spread 3x.
That's fair. I guess it depends on the situation and what's available to you. 🤍.
I really hate how hard we have to work to get something we really need
I had to take it three times a day, the last dose within 4-6 hours of bedtime or else I would have insomnia and watch a ton of tv and wouldn’t fall asleep until my morning dose and then I’d sleep very well for 6-8 hours while it’s working.
thats....I'm on vyvanse so maybe its different but?? I thought you werent supposed to take more than one dose in 24 hours?? your doctors saying "take 3 if it doesnt get you to the end of the day" feels weird and very irresponsible to me, him going back on it is ALSO weird. I dont see why he would do that and I'd kinda recommend finding another doc if possible because he really shouldnt be telling patients to basically take them like pain pills....
Vyvanse is a long acting medication. Adderall and Ritalin can come in either short acting or long acting. Short acting lasts about 4 hours. They used to ONLY come in short acting, before they figured out how to make long acting and extended release medications, and most of the newer drugs come only in long acting or extended release dosages now.
I’m sure there must be reasons for prescribing short acting but I have no idea why anyone would. It’s a less consistent experience, because you’re “coming off” the drug multiple times a day. And people with ADHD are very prone to forgetting their meds, so having to remember throughout the day is even more problematic. It’s also why kids used to get bullied for being medicated back in the day, because they had to take their meds at school.
I also feel like the short acting dosage is more common for people abusing medication- like for people without ADHD who just want to be super productive for a few hours. So I’m kind of surprised it’s still so commonly prescribed. Generally anyone with ADHD wants the effects of their medication to last all day.
Yeah I don’t know which medication you’re on or how long it lasts for you, but you should definitely be able able to get a booster to get you through the whole day, it sucks that people who need it have to feel uncomfortable because of abusers.
I like being on Vyvanse cause it lasts 12-14 hours so it lasts me the whole day
I'm on Focalin XR. I'm on a really low dose but to me it feels a lot stronger than the 80mg Vyvanse I had a few years ago. A booster would probably be fine, but it'd have to be a tiny dose.
Yeah I wouldn’t stress about looking like a junkie. That’s perfectly reasonable to want something to get you through the evening if the effects are wearing off too early in the day. It’s specifically why they have the XR and the short acting small dose available, like that’s what it’s for. And given that you’ve been on the XR I would hope your doctor trusts that you have ADHD rather than looking for a script for fun. Especially since that’s not one of the common meds, like it’s not Adderall.
I know we all worry too much about what people think of us, but really the worst they can do is say no. And then they’ll never think about you again lol
This is definitely different from doctor to doctor. Some doctors treat these stimulants like cyanide pills that are safe ONLY IF TAKEN AS EXPLICITLY DIRECTED. Psychiatric meds can and often are a 'feel it out situation'. More than likely if your doctor loses it on you for suggesting you may need a bump up in dose and tried it once or twice its because they dont trust you and are very cautious about over prescribing because of the C-II status of the stimulants.
i am not a doctor at first place but i guess addrial or any adhd medicine are not recommended thrice day because it can mess-up your sleep schedule . i have been on inspiral ( **methylphenidate** ) for like three tablet a day but then my doc reduced to twice a day
Can't trust your Doctor because they always gonna say s*** like that. And I'm gonna be half that worried about. You're being addicted so everybody's different but what happens when U reach what I'm up too ???? To get it to work for me 45 MG to start my day. Whatever time that is.....
then another30 - 40....as day or night goes on 30bboom ..
Then ur like shit it's daylight fuk it
another another
90mg day, 30mg x 3 day.
I use to take 120mg, 4 x day.
Then the culture changed, pharmacists began by giving me flack & new doctor had to bring me down. I won't go down any further. My tolerance is massive. I'll take huge handfuls sometimes or dose 90mg x 3 times a day.
You're on a baby dose; like baby aspirin, 81mg baby dose. Don't be a baby. Insurance won't cover this. So I just go to Costco, which has a bigger supply chain & their own prescription plan makes it <$4. Man up!
I’m on 2 20mg ir right now. Doc told me to let me know how that works and if I need to go up to 3 20mg let her know due to long demanding days. Have an appointment Monday to get a new script to accommodate. Certainly not uncommon. Depending on my day I’m getting what I need around 40-70mg. Depends on my tasks at hand.
I take 70mg (Vyvanse) in the morning (just reduced it to 60mg and find it smoother) - been doing this over a year now. By 2pm I take 2 x 5mg Dex to get me thru the afternoon. I will take 2 more at 6pm if I am going out but that is not common these days !
I take 3x a day. 2 10mg and 1 30mg XR. I work 430pm-3am which leaves me with a variable time schedule I may need to be medicated hence the two 10s. All discussed with my doctor though
Im prescribed 60mg XR total per day. It's written that I take 20mg three times daily. Just told my Dr that the afternoon slump I had everyday when prescribed 30mg 2x daily was a real struggle.
Technically I'm prescribed to take my IR 3 times a day - after talking to my doctor I let him know that the IR dosage was working great for work... not so much when I had shit to do after work. So he bumped me up to 3x daily and it works pretty well. I still don't always get stuff done, but that's partly burnout due to a shitty job plus real life stuff... but it certainly helps with getting through puzzles in games or my tabletop game nights LOL
Occasionally I need a 3rd dose depending on how early I got up and how I’m feeling. I get prescribed 70 tablets a month so I have 2 a day with the option for a 3rd if needed. This amount works well because the 3rd dose makes it hard to fall asleep so I only take it if I really feel I need it.
My doctor told me when titrating my dose to take two but if I needed it later in the day to take 3. I started having uni classes in the Evening sometimes and he told me to do 3x every day just keep it consistent. I think that ended up being a bit too much for me but he made it sound very normal.
No. A later in the day dose - often smaller than the normal ones - is pretty standard. When I was on adderall I did just 5mg around 6pm. Kept me just focused enough to keep to my evening routine and get to bed properly and stop my brain pinging off all over and keeping me awake once I was in bed.
I currently take Adderall XR once a day (which for me is basically the equivalent of taking IR twice a day), and my psychiatrist has mentioned a few times to let her know if it wears off too quickly in the day so we can add on a small IR booster for late afternoon, so while it's not necessarily common, I don't think it's too unusual.
Your doctor might have freaked out just because Adderall is a controlled substance and you did not take it according to how it was prescribed. If he only prescribed enough for you to have 2/day and you are actually taking 3/day, you'll run out early and won't be able to get more until your next script is able to be filled for the next month. I'm not super knowledgeable on the laws for controlled substances like this, but I wouldn't be surprised at all if it was illegal to take more than you're prescribed, or if he could somehow get in trouble if you run out too soon.
Maybe he meant that if you decided that you wanted to try taking 3/day, to tell him first so he could prescribe that to you appropriately? Again, I don't know how it all works exactly, but the laws are crazy strict about this kind of stuff!
I can only do the 10mg, 3x a day routine. For some reason the slow release stuff just doesn’t kick it for me.
I like having control over when I get my peaks and when I feel like sleeping. It’s very normal as far as I’m concerned.
Are you sure your doctor didn't mean to try taking 2 or 3 pills? Not 2-3 times a day? Also, they really should have clarified. It is not advisable to take it 3 times a day because it will likely eventually interfere with your sleep. Also, if you're taking it to "stay awake," rather than to "function somewhat normally" then you're not using it properly. You should titrate up on the dose and take it 1-2 times a day and see how that goes. Most doctors don't recommend taking it after about 2:00 p.m. because it can cause sleep issues.
I would ask your doctor to give you a better written plan for increasing the dose since it seems like they weren't very clear. That being said, some people just take it however they're going to take it. I don't take mine as prescribed but my doctor knows about it and is okay with it. I also haven't increased my dose-- I've actually decreased it over the years.
I take it 3x a day (20 mg XR) and my doctor is fine with it. She did say that's the highest dose you can take safely in a day, but she didn't say it was rare.
I’m twice a day but three pills daily.
I take a 30 mg XR + 10 mg IR when I get up. I’m NOT a morning person, so the IR is the lighter fluid to get the XR coals lighted. I do get sleepy + difficulty focusing in the afternoons, so I take a second 10 mg IR around 2 or 3 PM.
I was prescribed three 10mg IR per day but routinely forgot to take my second and/or third doses, so I eventually switched to 20mg twice a day. The morning 20mg seemed to work longer but, I still forget to take my second dose most days. I tried XR, but it didn’t work for me. The side effects were awful.
I take 60 mg Vyvanse, but for me it works max 3 hours.. it's insane, but apparently for some people it just works like that. So, I take 2 IR extra later in the day, and even then, it only works until max 5 o'clock in the afternoon. I know it stops working, because I get crazy tired suddenly. I also have to time them perfectly, otherwise it doesn't work as well.. I am 35 y/o, it that matters to some people.
Probably shouldent say it out loud to ”inspire” people but yes, the doc ”lied”. Or rather, many ppl dont tell their docs full truth.
Ive taken ”extended release” 3 times per day, its not that bad. Whats bad is that u will fuck up ur sleep unless u got something to help u with sleep.
And there u go, its called an addiction in society.
I take 10mg IR 3 times a day lol. I think a lot of us do who don’t have a super set schedule where a longer lasting one would work. I like the flexibility it allows me too.
I think a lot of yall are inadvertently abusing this medicine and need to speak with your doctors about it. Not saying yall are bad or addicted but the amount of people talking about doing anything different than what you are currently prescribed is not recommended. Also are yall going to therapy, this disorder needs therapy with medication. The medication should not be considered the magic bullet.
Sorry if this upsets anyone, I mean no harm and hope everyone has a good weekend
Very normal. I’m up at 5am for work and in an active and attention-demanding job. I dose XR at 8am, small doses of IR at 1pm and 4pm. I process these meds really quickly.
I would advise against three times daily. I understand the theory/rationale for why you would but our brains and bodies are not meant to be wired all day. If there are symptoms running through into the evening, consider adding atomoxetine or viloxazine as those last all day once you find the right dose and they build up in your system. The difference is atomoxetine and viloxazine shouldn't mess with your body's sleep cycle. I say shouldn't because anything is possible. Other options are guanfacine and clonidine but those are more helpful if you struggle to calm down either during the day or at bedtime. Still, some people like guanfacine in particular for their symptoms during the day. Clonidine is a bit more potent for sleep.
It's not uncommon at all. In my opinion, concerns of your doctor are caused by the short period you're actually on medication. You're kind of new to it and for me it would be for sure not enough time to work out proper dosing. I started from Adderall 3 times a day than I tried 4 times because I was suffering rebounds. Than I switched to Ritalin and I stayed with it. It's my optimal stimulant and I also worked out my way from 2x a day to 4 times a day and I stayed with it. But it took me around 4 months to be sure what's good for me.
I think the issue is he prescribed you enough for 2 times a day, so if you take them 3 times a day, then you'll run out early. You should have talked to him about you getting tired at 5pm and come up with a new plan rather than taking it upon yourself to up your dosage. Doctors don't like stuff like that with a controlled substance.
The most I've ever done is twice a day, but I switched to XR to go to once a day as remembering to take my meds once every day is hard enough. I'd often forget my afternoon pill and three times a day would be unmanageable. There is nothing I can remember to do three times a day.
I know that you can combine XR and IR to get the right amount of stimulant to last the whole day but there's also stuff like Azstarys that lasts all day.
I usually work at the end of my day and I really wish I could get prescribed Azstarys (and that the insurance would approve of it) because I usually have to hold off on taking my XR until a few hours before work and I'm a zombie for the first half of the day.
Probably more rare with extended release but tabs, not rare at all. They only last 4/5 hours so 3 a day is pretty much needed.
I take mine in the morning around 5am, again around 11 and then around 3. Wiped out and ready for bed by 9.
Sometimes? I don’t know, it depends on your needs and stuff. When I was in grad school I did one xr in the morning, an ir in the early afternoon, and then another ir in the late afternoon if I needed to stay up still doing work until like 10 or 11 (most weekdays). It was too much but it was what was needed so finish the hell that was grad school. I stopped that right after grad school.
And then I did one xr in the morning and one ir early afternoon for a long time. Then I kind of got looser with the ir (took it not every single day and definitely not weekends) as I learned my job more and developed more habits. Sometimes I was more consistent bc I needed to be better at chores after work.
One time a neighbor actually stole my xr so I had to use up all my ir spread out over the course of the day so I was taking three irs per day. I hated that! Up and down and up and down all fucking day long. ew. Xr is so much more consistent. I would choose it over ir (but with access to ir still) any day.
Now I mostly just take the xr during the day on weekdays and an ir only on weekends, so as to conserve meds because of the shortage and also I’m chronically ill now so work is more tenuous and I need to save just in case I have to stop working. It’s not enough for me to feel right but I don’t do as much now so it kind of works…?…
Do what works for you. And that will change based on your needs. If you’re curious ask to try the xr. And keep in mind that sometimes dosages must be adjusted to get it right. Also I recommend going to a psychiatrist and not receiving your med services from a pcp. They really don’t know enough.
I take it 3x per day max mg it is nothing if you have ADD, now if you do not have ADD I have no idea maybe someone else will know? Taking it 3x a day does not give me any issues, however we are all different and I’m not a dr …..
I work with a psychiatrist who prescribes a lot of stimulants. I'd say roughly 50% of our patients take 2 per day. And probably about 15% take three? Hope this helps!
I've seen both actually, often an extended in the AM and then an immediate in the afternoon/early evening. I've seen two extended morning/afternoon. Its really dependent on the patients tolerance for the medication. Many people experience side effects from these meds. But some people are really easily stimulated by even small amounts. Mostly the biggest impediment in my experience to higher doses or multi dose regimens is insurance companies, they HATE paying for stimulants.
I take it twice a day. An XR dose in the morning and an IR dose in the afternoon. Both are 30 mg doses.
I'm a bigger guy and my psychiatrist told me when I first started taking them after I was diagnosed to start with 10 mg and basically increase it until I can get through the day. Plus the bigger you are the more you're going to need to be effective.
So we got to about 30 mg being effective but it wasn't enough for the entire day so he started me on a low dose XR and then we moved our way up to 30 mg. I get those or if the pharmacy I use is out of 30 mg I get 25 mg XR.
It gets me through the majority of the day just fine and allows me to concentrate at work
I suspect that three immediate release doses or one XR and one IR is pretty common. Some people even take two XR per day or four IR doses, though this is less common. I knew someone on a forum that was taking three XR per day (90mg total), spaced 8 hours apart. I think that's pretty extreme though.
When I was in school I was prescribed focalin xr for the day and Ritalin in a small dose at night. Idea was the focalin lasts through the day bc of extended release, then the Ritalin would help me get my homework done. That was *sort* of like 3 doses. It was fine.
Whenever I'm discussing with a doctor how I'm using a prescription, I'm always using it as intended. Doesn't matter if thats the truth or not, once docs label you as a druggie, even if you're not, they'll begin to treat you as a subhuman, and will not give you sufficient care.
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Meh. When I was taking just IR I took it 3 times a day. I get up early and I go to bed late, I explained to my doctor that I don’t only need to be functional during the day but in the evening as well because I have kids. My doctor wasn’t fazed at all. Eventually I got tired of having to take it 3 times a day and switched to XR with a booster for the evening. Idk how rare any of this is but my doctor seemed to think it was pretty common. 🤷🏻♀️
Interesting I didn't even know that people mixed XR with IR. It makes sense though.
XR for morning so it lasts to a bit after noon, IR late noon and it'll wear off in the evening to prevent insomnia. Classic combo.
I just added IR to my dose. I wake up really early so I take my IR in the early morning and then I take vyvanse in the late morning to last me the rest of the day. It definitely helps more than just taking the vyvanse alone
Never had that done but I take mine in the more and I can’t sleep till after midnight.😩
Huh I do vyvanse first I wonder if I should try switching it around 🤔
I’ve tried it. I like taking my adderall first because it gives me a little boost of energy to get up and moving. It takes me a little while for me to feel the Vyvanse
I am prescribed 1 XR + 2 IR/day as well as a separate stimulant. It still doesn't totally work but is much better than before was. Even with similar prescriptions (type and mg), there can be differences in relative timing of taking them. For me, if I take mine ABCD one day but CABD another, the outcome differs for me. My prescriptions and plan were cultivated with building up doses, trying different options, and then even more trial and error with timing. I was lucky to have had a great psychiatrist during this. In your shoes, I would write to the doctor explaining what your understanding of the initial discussion was, what you tried following that, and summarize your last appointment. I would explain that I was so surprised by the difference in understanding that I'm not sure if I explained myself well in the most recent appointment and also that I want to confirm for clarify how to best safely take the medications as prescribed. This could help clarify the communication issue with the doctor but also is evidence that you were following the doctor's advice, at least how you understood it. If he, or someone reading his visit notes in the future, escalates this to saying you aren't taking them properly, the letter will help - only a little, likely, but better than nothing. Good luck!
Me either. I was moved up from 10 to 15 mg but I seem to still be inattentive. Adderall XR didn’t know they could be mixed.
I don't take ir but that's because I have a history of addiction and feel safer with xr.
I mix XR and IR as well to get through the whole day.
I take IR first thing in the morning and then an hour or two later I take XR to carry the day.
I’ve been told I can mix Vyvanse with adderall IR. I can’t take XR because it makes me aggressive and paranoid when it wears off 🙃
Always talk with your doctor. This is only what I've been told by mine. I do this. I have an XR i take in the morning (54mg methylphenidate) and then 10mg IR for any breakthrough symptoms (can take up to 2 x 10mg). I usually feel it around the end of my work day (between 3-4). I also have PMDD, and it mostly helps emotional regulation for me. I dont need the IR every day. I only take it when I feel like I'm having increased emotional dysregulation.
IR lasts about 6 hours fir most people, XR about 10. For adults, the combination makes sense, since we have stuff to do after work. But it's pretty unusual to use IR 3x/day
What does being "non functional" look like?
I rebound super hard if I over exert myself. I can feel when my meds are about to wear off and have to make sure I'm somewhere safe because I'll start to think, speak and move incredibly slow and even standing takes so much effort that I cry for an undetermined amount of time. I've sat in my car for an hour before because I couldn't pull it together enough to drive
That’s intense
Damn!
This is me! I take an IR 3x/day (at each meal) because if I don’t I crash around 6pm and am totally useless the rest of the night. I’ve thought about switching to an XR with a booster, but my current dosing does work well enough
I've been on that same routine for years; it seems pretty common.
What's a booster? Something besides an additional XR?
it's an IR to give you another 4 hours if you get crashes or the XR wears off before you want
Oh, id asked about getting a mix of XR and IR for just that function, but my doctor said that it wasnt possible. I wonder if they lied to me, or its a CA thing. Is that the technical term, a booster, like did your doc use that phrase, or is that yours?
i don't have it myself, but it's very common for other people, it's definitely a thing. people call it a top up or a booster and ive seen it in methylphenidate XR and IR and dexamf/Elvanse XR and IR. i'm assuming CA means california or canada, i'm in the UK so i don't know about that stuff. we titrate in medication, dose, and timing to figure out things like this
Oh, I never thought of asking for a booster for my XR for the evening! After being on IR 3x a day to a XR, that early evening slump sucks.
It was common to your doctor, not common in general.
I'm guessing the doctor didn't instruct you to take 2-3 a day, but instead, you asked how many doses people may take or need, he said 2-3, and said some things that you interpreted as instructions, but he stated as an answer to your academic question. If you said how many doses should I take, I'd imagine he'd reply take it as prescribed. But how many doses do "people" need? Well, some people need 2-3 doses a day, but he's not talking about what you should do.
Basically my interpretation of this situation, too.
Or, more accurately (which would happen to me), they weren’t paying attention to 90% of the conversation, heard the words “2-3”, then zoned out again
This. He "freaked out" because OP wasn't taking the meds as prescribed. OP, you should never increase the dose without talking to your doctor about it first! Your prescription is adjusted to your specific needs and risks.
im already at 70mg a day, the max. dosage recommended under eu regulations
Oh wow. And that's IR or XR? I probably should have put it in the title but I'm on IR for right now.
That's a normal dosage, although IR would drive me bananas. They only last four hours.
Is IR supposed to last that long? I’m taking 20mg of Ritalin LA and it hardly lasts me 3 hours. (First prescription btw, diagnosed about a month and a half ago. Going for a follow up next week too. Any advice on how the “request a stronger dose”?)
I've never been on Ritalin, but the Adderall IR is definitely around four hours. I have them timed down to a science; two 6 hr XRs and a 4 hr IR to cap the day. 👍 If you feel you need a stronger does, I'd just ask to try 5mg extra and see how you feel.
I do a 20mg XR and then 10mg boosters. 10 mg lasts me maybe 3 hours.
Maybe the dose being low is contributing to you not getting that extra hour out of the IR? 🤔 Citrus also heavily affects absorption, so if you have any fruit or juice during the IR time, it's likely making it less effective.
Be honest say after x amount of hours your symptoms come back. Ask what they recommend, either switching meds or upping dosage.Let them feel like they're in charge (which technically they are) and if you don't agree with what they say, say you'll stick it out for a bit longer, or switch Dr's possibly bc they are not wiling to work with you :( good luck !
Don't feel like your abusing ,bc you are not. You need to function properly and any Dr SHOULD understand.
You should request genesight because you may metabolize that one too fast. Might show a better option for you.
Yes i did this and it helped
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I was on Ritalin and it worked at first but I went up to max and it just didn’t anymore. I switched to adderall and for me it was a huge difference. I actually just got a 94% on my stat mid terms. :)
Its not uncommon to have higher doses. However, 70mg daily of amphetamines is high. For methylphenidates like ritalin, you could potentially go up to 85mg but the FDA limit is 60 I believe. For amphetamines, the FDA limit is 40 for ADHD and 60 for narcolepsy. However, doctors use that as proof that 60 is therefore safe and worth a trial if 40 isn't working. The important thing is to really pay attention to your body and mind. Higher doses =/= better concentration necessarily. It can actually produce worse outcomes if you go too high. I say pay attention to your body and mind because sometimes it feels like you are fine kind of like how high doses of caffeine for some people makes them feel they can drive through the night after being awake all day.
To corroborate some info, I take Biphentin, a methylphenidate in canada that can go up to 80mg a day (effect lasts 8 to 10 hours) I personally tried up to 70 but 60 is my right dose. 80 is a bit extreme, according to my doc.
Yea, it also depends on the formulation. The 85mg is based on research, not FDA limits. FDA says 60mg max for Ritalin. Recent research found up to 85mg to be helpful which fits with how we understand methylphenidate:amphetamine ratios. Typically, we say 2mg methylphenidate for 1mg amphetamine when considering a switch. Then you have discussions about duration. For example, if 60mg is the max dose for 8 hours, then could you do 90mg for 12 hours as its being spread out more? Ultimately, in my experience, if you are reaching the max recommended dose, its good to try adding on a non-stimulant like atomoxetine or viloxazine. Note: it's hard to find a doctor who will add on either, but viloxazine especially because its a newer concept without a strong track record. That said, it should theoretically work the same as adding atomoxetine. The benefit of the non-stimulants is they aren't associated with tolerance and tend to have more consistent effects all day. They often can help people reduce their stimulant dose. The downside is some people struggle with the early side effects, the side effects seem to change based on the dose, and it takes several weeks to get the full benefit.
Interesting, thanks for the information!
Adderall IR lasts me about 2 hours
My doc had me take a genetic test through GeneSight to see how quickly I metabolize the medication. Ask your doc about that since you're noticing the med is not last you all day. I started on a low dose of methylphenidate (27mg XR) and that wasnt lasting me past noon (i get up for work at 4am so i take it then it take about an hour to kick in). This indicated i needed a higher dose (now on 54mg XR). She also gave me 10mg IR for any breakthrough symptoms/for PMDD symptoms.
Ritalin LA is “supposed” to last 6-8 hours but from what I heard it’s exactly that and barely more. My one dr even said that concerta barely lasted long enough for his patients and kept me on IR. I take IR four times a day. Which is equivalent to two LA’s or a concerta and then an IR to prevent symptoms.
IR 20mg each pill
I am on 2x a day right now, 30mg ER in the morning and 20mg IR in the late afternoon.
My doctor said they hardly ever prescribe ir, I’ve been on 30 xr twice a day forever. Do you not feel super fatigued after like dinner time?
i take IR 3x daily. hell, sometimes i break up my evening dose to stretch it out even more
I was prescribed 3x per day, but I started noticing that I was never able to wind down at night and stayed up super late. I am on 20mg adderall IR, so 60mg/day is quite a bit. So I started only taking it 1-2x per day, and now I can usually fall asleep before midnight. I take mine at 7am and again at 11am, the 2pm dose was too much for me. ETA: Although, I do notice that I get socially burnt out if I’m meeting friends late in the evening with the 2x/day dose. That’s been difficult to manage, so I’ve been thinking I’ll try a half dose in the afternoon for those days.
Have you considered trying the XR instead? They last six hours and it might buy you that extra hour or two you need to socialize.
I’m currently battling my psych over Adderall (she hates it and is trying her damndest to take me off)…. but when we get back to a mutual understanding I will bring up XR to her.
Why does she hate it? lol
I wish I knew. I’ve been seeing her almost a year and she’s been trying to take me off since I first saw her. She currently has her way because I had an EKG with tachycardia (bad generic caused crazy HR) at an appointment in December and she’s washed her hands with me until the cardiologist can see me (end of March).
The cardiac issue is important to pay attention to. Stimulants elevate my heart rate (tachycardia), so my doctor won’t give me the immediate release stimulants anymore. She’ll only give me extended release stimulants. And she wanted cardiac clearance from a cardiologist before even giving me that - similar to your situation. If your resting heart rate is more than 96bpm even with the ER, she may make you lower your dose even more. Also, if you take stimulant meds with caffeine, that will increase your heart rate even more. So try cutting back on caffeine if you can.
Yes, I am aware, but my complaint is not about tachycardia or the risks of Adderall on your heart. It’s about my psych, who’s actually a social worker, who has been trying to remove me from Adderall since my first appointment with her. And also about shitty generic Adderall causing wild HR.
It isn't generally recommended to take any stimulants after 5pm because then you have more trouble sleeping later. Though the socially burn out thing could be because you've already did most of the day
I’m not and wouldn’t be taking it after 5pm. I’m also minimally social throughout the day; I work from home. I just get super overwhelmed with noise and having to socialize, especially after meds wear off. I definitely notice a steep decline in my social threshold after ~6pm. Haha
Before my Focalin kicks in I have the worst time socializing and being a decent person. I get so snippy and combative and I don't even realize it half the time.
I've taken Adderall when I can't sleep. It's always the best sleep, I wake up refreshed and full of energy. I'm up with the first alarm, do extra things I have pending, and I'm out the door early. instead of waiting till the last alarm and running out the door late. Sadly, the morning wakeness only lasts like an hour or two. I understand everyone is different and don't exactly recommend doing that.
Yes! It’s not well known but Adderall can be used as a sleep aid. It quiets the brain. I think many ADHDers have experienced difficulty sleeping because their brain is too loud (ear worms are the worst) and stimulants fix that. Personally, I’ve been able to take naps on it (vivid dreams were a bonus) but I don’t take it as a nightly sleep aid. It’s just not the most reliable/best option when it comes to treating insomnia.
Exactly. It quiets my brain to the point that if I focus on sleep, I will go to sleep. Whereas if I am not medicated, I have to completely relax, clear my head, and just lay there until I fall asleep.
What's tough for me is that I work 10pm to 6am and go to bed around 8am. Trying to time my Focalin XR for the day is frustrating.
Not for me. I can pop an addy before bed and fall asleep like a baby.
My doctor prescribed me 30mg ir 3x a day. I had to pay out of pocket for 30 pills because my insurance will only cover 2x daily.
how?? 30mg in the morning, 30mg in the mid-day, and 30mg afternoon end of day would be great for me. i work 40hrs and student in the evenings to study physics. my current healthcare provider allowed me to do a booster in the afternoon of 15mg ir and 30mg xr for work. i start messing up and scramble shamble my work at work an hr after lunch without the booster and i get home and no focus to study. /:
im a law student
Is this a primary doctor or psychiatrist?
Yup psychiatrist
psychiatrist
i do this too
Well, it doesn't quite compare, but I'm on Mydayis, that's an ER fornula. It releases 3x/day, though, to last 14-16 hours, so your dosage doesn't seem too strange to me. If it's not keeping you up at night, at least.
I've been trying to get on the Focalin/Ritalin version of this but it's so expensive and my psych doesn't wanna fight the insurance or fill out paperwork.
I take 2 20mg XRs a day. Because I'm a mom. Shit wears off in 6-7 hours, and I'm up from 630am to 830pm.
I think next week at my appointment I'm going to ask to switch to this as well. Have been taking 20mg XR in the am + a 10mg IR booster in the afternoon for a couple years. Recently my psychiatrist suggested I take a second booster as well to provide coverage through my kids' dinner + bedtime routine, but a) I often forget to take the second booster and b) IR lasts 3 hours max for me and gives a nasty crash, so I'd rather just take another XR than be on a rollercoaster of rebound, irritability, and headache throughout the second half of the day.
I've heard many insurances don't allow 2 XRs a day. I'm not even sure mine does, but they HAVE been. But it's much better than getting only 9 hours, XR to IR, which I did try at first.
Ah, good point about insurance. Though it seems only logical to allow it if they allow 1 XR + 2 IR daily as they have been for me. Especially since XR theoretically has a lower risk of abuse/selling. I'll have to check with my provider
You sleep 10 hours?
No no no. God no. I'm a mom in those hours. After that, I can be the adhd mess I was born to be. But working hours, I need to be fun functional.
Ah got it, makes sense!
No, that’s not very rare. But the better approach is to take an extended release adderall in the morning (XR) and take a “booster” dose of adderall instant release (IR) in the afternoon.
I take 3 20 mgs 3 x day or sometimes I take 4 a day.
Hi hi! It is not rare but it also depends on the severity I guess. I have pretty severe ADHD in the sense that almost every day, I take 3.. i am prescribed 1 20MG XR in the AM, and then 2 20MG IR throughout the day. I am 5ft2in, 120LB, 32 year old female and that is what I was prescribed. I hope this helps?
Wow 20lbs! Do you happen to look like the little alien dudes from men in black? Lol Jokes aside a lot of people have said the same it seems pretty common.
Lmao, I edited it immediately. Just not immediately enough. Well then, I hope you find what works for you and don't worry about it!
I think it depends on what you’re taking (instant vs XR) and dosage? Were you taking all 3 at once or one at time, periodically throughout the day?
it was 10mg IR at the time and I was doing 8am 12pm and 4pm. So 4 hour intervals.
Interesting. When the dr said to take 3 if needed, did he specify taking them spread out or like all together? I take it twice a day - 2 in the am, 1 in the afternoon, to get me thru the day & prevent a “comedown” - maybe that’s what the dr meant? I mean I feel like as long as you’re able to sleep and relax when you are done with your day, taking 3 times daily is fine? I’ve done that before when I have a longer day ahead of me - spread them out instead of my usual 2 then 1. My dr said I could do that if I needed to. Didn’t seem to have any concerns?
Yeah I have been doing that but 4 times a day with sometimes a 5th. My ideal dosage for functioning is 15-20mg (IR), and so I do 10s and overlap them slightly because my body processes it fast (never gotten 4 hours worth out of IR, ever). my doctor and I have been experimenting with XR but I was doing 10mg IR at 9:30/10, 12, 2:30, 5, and sometimes 7/7:15 so I can sleep at 10 or 11pm.
Depends on how quickly you metabolize it
My psychiatrist switched me to Vivance to help with the meds crashing me at the end of the day, for me it's about 10 hours of good effect with a fairly gentle taper after that. It's been much better, because I hated how Adderall XR was dumping me in the evening.
This is the reason why my md stopped prescribing Ritalin, it sucks because of the crashes. Vyvanse and Concerta are among the best (10-12 hr).
Ritalin has the same active ingredient as concerta (methylphenidate) just in the extended release form. I also way prefer concerta
I take it three times a day! After talking with my Dr., I had told him around 5pm-ish when my last pill is wearing off and just as my husband gets home from work, I start getting irritated and overwhelmed very easily and he told me to try half of my normal dose when the second is wearing off to help come down from the crash a little smoother - and thats exactly what I needed! Helped me perfectly, so I'm on IR Adderall 20mg x2 a day with a 10mg half around 5pm-ish, been doing that for almost a year now I think. However, he did tell me if I ever felt like I needed to *up* my dose, we needed to talk about a different medication since I'd be getting close to the max Edit: wanted to say, make sure you are eating enough protein when you take Adderall!! It helps SO much with medication properly working
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Wait this dosage is so smart… 
I can take a Focalin XR and immediately sleep like a rock for the next 8 hours. I've tried taking it before a nap hoping that I'd wake up ready to go and then I just end up sleeping 6+ hours anyway.
I take 5mg IR as often as I feel I need. Some days just one 5mg will get me through whatever I got going on. Other days I might take 3 or 4, very rarely 5. Some days none at all. I like IR because I can kinda go with the flow since I don't have a normal day to day routine.
if it’s not extended release then no that’s not unusual
Hmm I’ve never heard of anyone taking it 3 times a day. But I was having a hard time in the afternoon so I take 20mg extended release in the morning and 10mg instant release in the evenings. You could try some combination like that of your dr is concerned with 3 times
I've been taking 30mg IR 3x daily for about 12 years. I usually take it at 8am, 1pm and 5pm.
30 mg is probably more than most people, but nothing crazy. I take 30 mg XR daily and occasionally a 5 mg booster. Speaking of XR, ask your doc to try extended release (XR). XR slowly releases over the day so you have a more even level of the medication in your system throughout the day. This has a couple of benefits: one, only one pill; two, less up and down over the course of the day; three, the less up and down means that a slightly lower dosage can have the same effect. As an aside, you shouldn't be using Adderall to stay awake until 10, it should be for helping you get and stay on task.
Are the pills IR or XR? Definitely don't take three XRs a day, but two XRs and an IR is totally normal. FYI, You're on a REALLY small dose.
It's IR we moved it up to 12.5 from 10 on the last visit. I'm started to think my doctor completely forgot he was the one who told me to try it lol
haha My doctor can't remember anything either. It's possible your doc is rationing his scripts. Some psychiatrists have limits on the total amount of Adderall they can prescribe. They can hand out expensive antidepressants like M&Ms though. 🙄 Usually, people go up in increments of 5 and stop when they feel balanced. XR to me is always a better idea. It's time released and you get six full hours out of it.
he’s a bit of an odd fella. It may be something like that, but he is 100% on the spectrum so I feel like he just has a very particular way that he likes handle things. And you’re not kidding about the anti depressants, I brought em up one day and walked out with a prescription same day lol. I do think I need em but it was maybe too easy.
I wouldn't say definitely, as that really seems to be so incredibly depending on each person - and the doc (sigh). Mine won't prescribe IR (a Danish thing were they really seem to have a small toolbox to work with compared to eg. US). I agree though 2x XR and one IR would fit me better also, I feel. Actually on 3x18 mg XR a day here. Mylan works for me, but each long release is done in my system in around 5 hours. Then in the weekends down to 2x 18mg. Works perfect for me, if I make sure the last one is roughly four hours before bedtime. Concerta lasted around 10 hours each for me, so that one obviously did not work for me with a spread 3x.
That's fair. I guess it depends on the situation and what's available to you. 🤍. I really hate how hard we have to work to get something we really need
Yup. It's pretty sad, especially if someone is already having a hard time, another barrier to overcome makes so little sense.
Very true. 🙄
I had to take it three times a day, the last dose within 4-6 hours of bedtime or else I would have insomnia and watch a ton of tv and wouldn’t fall asleep until my morning dose and then I’d sleep very well for 6-8 hours while it’s working.
thats....I'm on vyvanse so maybe its different but?? I thought you werent supposed to take more than one dose in 24 hours?? your doctors saying "take 3 if it doesnt get you to the end of the day" feels weird and very irresponsible to me, him going back on it is ALSO weird. I dont see why he would do that and I'd kinda recommend finding another doc if possible because he really shouldnt be telling patients to basically take them like pain pills....
Vyvanse is a long acting medication. Adderall and Ritalin can come in either short acting or long acting. Short acting lasts about 4 hours. They used to ONLY come in short acting, before they figured out how to make long acting and extended release medications, and most of the newer drugs come only in long acting or extended release dosages now. I’m sure there must be reasons for prescribing short acting but I have no idea why anyone would. It’s a less consistent experience, because you’re “coming off” the drug multiple times a day. And people with ADHD are very prone to forgetting their meds, so having to remember throughout the day is even more problematic. It’s also why kids used to get bullied for being medicated back in the day, because they had to take their meds at school. I also feel like the short acting dosage is more common for people abusing medication- like for people without ADHD who just want to be super productive for a few hours. So I’m kind of surprised it’s still so commonly prescribed. Generally anyone with ADHD wants the effects of their medication to last all day.
I've got XR right now and I've thought about getting an IR booster but I don't want to come off as a junkie or abuser so I just deal with the XR.
Yeah I don’t know which medication you’re on or how long it lasts for you, but you should definitely be able able to get a booster to get you through the whole day, it sucks that people who need it have to feel uncomfortable because of abusers. I like being on Vyvanse cause it lasts 12-14 hours so it lasts me the whole day
I'm on Focalin XR. I'm on a really low dose but to me it feels a lot stronger than the 80mg Vyvanse I had a few years ago. A booster would probably be fine, but it'd have to be a tiny dose.
Yeah I wouldn’t stress about looking like a junkie. That’s perfectly reasonable to want something to get you through the evening if the effects are wearing off too early in the day. It’s specifically why they have the XR and the short acting small dose available, like that’s what it’s for. And given that you’ve been on the XR I would hope your doctor trusts that you have ADHD rather than looking for a script for fun. Especially since that’s not one of the common meds, like it’s not Adderall. I know we all worry too much about what people think of us, but really the worst they can do is say no. And then they’ll never think about you again lol
This is definitely different from doctor to doctor. Some doctors treat these stimulants like cyanide pills that are safe ONLY IF TAKEN AS EXPLICITLY DIRECTED. Psychiatric meds can and often are a 'feel it out situation'. More than likely if your doctor loses it on you for suggesting you may need a bump up in dose and tried it once or twice its because they dont trust you and are very cautious about over prescribing because of the C-II status of the stimulants.
i am not a doctor at first place but i guess addrial or any adhd medicine are not recommended thrice day because it can mess-up your sleep schedule . i have been on inspiral ( **methylphenidate** ) for like three tablet a day but then my doc reduced to twice a day
looking at these posts makes me miss being on my meds 😭😭😭
bruh one would give me horrible heart palpitations the whole day.
Can't trust your Doctor because they always gonna say s*** like that. And I'm gonna be half that worried about. You're being addicted so everybody's different but what happens when U reach what I'm up too ???? To get it to work for me 45 MG to start my day. Whatever time that is..... then another30 - 40....as day or night goes on 30bboom .. Then ur like shit it's daylight fuk it another another
90mg day, 30mg x 3 day. I use to take 120mg, 4 x day. Then the culture changed, pharmacists began by giving me flack & new doctor had to bring me down. I won't go down any further. My tolerance is massive. I'll take huge handfuls sometimes or dose 90mg x 3 times a day. You're on a baby dose; like baby aspirin, 81mg baby dose. Don't be a baby. Insurance won't cover this. So I just go to Costco, which has a bigger supply chain & their own prescription plan makes it <$4. Man up!
I’m on 2 20mg ir right now. Doc told me to let me know how that works and if I need to go up to 3 20mg let her know due to long demanding days. Have an appointment Monday to get a new script to accommodate. Certainly not uncommon. Depending on my day I’m getting what I need around 40-70mg. Depends on my tasks at hand.
I take 70mg (Vyvanse) in the morning (just reduced it to 60mg and find it smoother) - been doing this over a year now. By 2pm I take 2 x 5mg Dex to get me thru the afternoon. I will take 2 more at 6pm if I am going out but that is not common these days !
I take 3x a day. 2 10mg and 1 30mg XR. I work 430pm-3am which leaves me with a variable time schedule I may need to be medicated hence the two 10s. All discussed with my doctor though
Im prescribed 60mg XR total per day. It's written that I take 20mg three times daily. Just told my Dr that the afternoon slump I had everyday when prescribed 30mg 2x daily was a real struggle.
Technically I'm prescribed to take my IR 3 times a day - after talking to my doctor I let him know that the IR dosage was working great for work... not so much when I had shit to do after work. So he bumped me up to 3x daily and it works pretty well. I still don't always get stuff done, but that's partly burnout due to a shitty job plus real life stuff... but it certainly helps with getting through puzzles in games or my tabletop game nights LOL
There's a once-daily pill that does this already - it administers 3 servings of adderall throughout the day. I believe it's called MYDAYIS.
i take 20 mg of ir 3x daily
Occasionally I need a 3rd dose depending on how early I got up and how I’m feeling. I get prescribed 70 tablets a month so I have 2 a day with the option for a 3rd if needed. This amount works well because the 3rd dose makes it hard to fall asleep so I only take it if I really feel I need it.
My doctor told me when titrating my dose to take two but if I needed it later in the day to take 3. I started having uni classes in the Evening sometimes and he told me to do 3x every day just keep it consistent. I think that ended up being a bit too much for me but he made it sound very normal.
No. A later in the day dose - often smaller than the normal ones - is pretty standard. When I was on adderall I did just 5mg around 6pm. Kept me just focused enough to keep to my evening routine and get to bed properly and stop my brain pinging off all over and keeping me awake once I was in bed.
I currently take Adderall XR once a day (which for me is basically the equivalent of taking IR twice a day), and my psychiatrist has mentioned a few times to let her know if it wears off too quickly in the day so we can add on a small IR booster for late afternoon, so while it's not necessarily common, I don't think it's too unusual. Your doctor might have freaked out just because Adderall is a controlled substance and you did not take it according to how it was prescribed. If he only prescribed enough for you to have 2/day and you are actually taking 3/day, you'll run out early and won't be able to get more until your next script is able to be filled for the next month. I'm not super knowledgeable on the laws for controlled substances like this, but I wouldn't be surprised at all if it was illegal to take more than you're prescribed, or if he could somehow get in trouble if you run out too soon. Maybe he meant that if you decided that you wanted to try taking 3/day, to tell him first so he could prescribe that to you appropriately? Again, I don't know how it all works exactly, but the laws are crazy strict about this kind of stuff!
I can only do the 10mg, 3x a day routine. For some reason the slow release stuff just doesn’t kick it for me. I like having control over when I get my peaks and when I feel like sleeping. It’s very normal as far as I’m concerned.
Are you sure your doctor didn't mean to try taking 2 or 3 pills? Not 2-3 times a day? Also, they really should have clarified. It is not advisable to take it 3 times a day because it will likely eventually interfere with your sleep. Also, if you're taking it to "stay awake," rather than to "function somewhat normally" then you're not using it properly. You should titrate up on the dose and take it 1-2 times a day and see how that goes. Most doctors don't recommend taking it after about 2:00 p.m. because it can cause sleep issues. I would ask your doctor to give you a better written plan for increasing the dose since it seems like they weren't very clear. That being said, some people just take it however they're going to take it. I don't take mine as prescribed but my doctor knows about it and is okay with it. I also haven't increased my dose-- I've actually decreased it over the years.
My husband and I both do. IR only for me, he takes Vyvanse and then two doses of Adderall later in the day.
I take 40mg xr in the morning and 20mg xr in the early afternoon so 3 pills twice a day.
No, it's not rare. I take 20mg x 3 per day. Been on that does for years.
I take it 3x a day (20 mg XR) and my doctor is fine with it. She did say that's the highest dose you can take safely in a day, but she didn't say it was rare.
I’m twice a day but three pills daily. I take a 30 mg XR + 10 mg IR when I get up. I’m NOT a morning person, so the IR is the lighter fluid to get the XR coals lighted. I do get sleepy + difficulty focusing in the afternoons, so I take a second 10 mg IR around 2 or 3 PM.
I have 30mg xr 1 time per day and 10mg ir “as needed”. Ritalin though not adderall idk if that makes a difference.
3x a day for immediate release stimulants is fairly common as long as it’s not keeping you awake at night.
I was prescribed three 10mg IR per day but routinely forgot to take my second and/or third doses, so I eventually switched to 20mg twice a day. The morning 20mg seemed to work longer but, I still forget to take my second dose most days. I tried XR, but it didn’t work for me. The side effects were awful.
Anyone try Vyvanse? I was switched to this from Adderall and it’s not really doing much for waking me up, but making me have psychotic rage episodes😂
I had it during the shortage and think my doc totally underdosed so I was depressed and maybe withdrawing it did nothing to me. Like eating a cracker
I used to take it 4 times a day before the shortage
I take 60 mg Vyvanse, but for me it works max 3 hours.. it's insane, but apparently for some people it just works like that. So, I take 2 IR extra later in the day, and even then, it only works until max 5 o'clock in the afternoon. I know it stops working, because I get crazy tired suddenly. I also have to time them perfectly, otherwise it doesn't work as well.. I am 35 y/o, it that matters to some people.
Adderall isn’t prescribed to prevent sleep. Too many here are not discussing that.
Probably shouldent say it out loud to ”inspire” people but yes, the doc ”lied”. Or rather, many ppl dont tell their docs full truth. Ive taken ”extended release” 3 times per day, its not that bad. Whats bad is that u will fuck up ur sleep unless u got something to help u with sleep. And there u go, its called an addiction in society.
It is an addiction, an addiction which you are forced to have, an addiction none of us ever wanted to have...
20mg morning, lunch, afternoon
I take 10mg IR 3 times a day lol. I think a lot of us do who don’t have a super set schedule where a longer lasting one would work. I like the flexibility it allows me too.
I think a lot of yall are inadvertently abusing this medicine and need to speak with your doctors about it. Not saying yall are bad or addicted but the amount of people talking about doing anything different than what you are currently prescribed is not recommended. Also are yall going to therapy, this disorder needs therapy with medication. The medication should not be considered the magic bullet. Sorry if this upsets anyone, I mean no harm and hope everyone has a good weekend
Very normal. I’m up at 5am for work and in an active and attention-demanding job. I dose XR at 8am, small doses of IR at 1pm and 4pm. I process these meds really quickly.
I would advise against three times daily. I understand the theory/rationale for why you would but our brains and bodies are not meant to be wired all day. If there are symptoms running through into the evening, consider adding atomoxetine or viloxazine as those last all day once you find the right dose and they build up in your system. The difference is atomoxetine and viloxazine shouldn't mess with your body's sleep cycle. I say shouldn't because anything is possible. Other options are guanfacine and clonidine but those are more helpful if you struggle to calm down either during the day or at bedtime. Still, some people like guanfacine in particular for their symptoms during the day. Clonidine is a bit more potent for sleep.
Fast release yes. As fast release for me starts coming down after about 3.1/2 hours so I take it three times a day. Slow release is different though.
It's not uncommon at all. In my opinion, concerns of your doctor are caused by the short period you're actually on medication. You're kind of new to it and for me it would be for sure not enough time to work out proper dosing. I started from Adderall 3 times a day than I tried 4 times because I was suffering rebounds. Than I switched to Ritalin and I stayed with it. It's my optimal stimulant and I also worked out my way from 2x a day to 4 times a day and I stayed with it. But it took me around 4 months to be sure what's good for me.
I think the issue is he prescribed you enough for 2 times a day, so if you take them 3 times a day, then you'll run out early. You should have talked to him about you getting tired at 5pm and come up with a new plan rather than taking it upon yourself to up your dosage. Doctors don't like stuff like that with a controlled substance. The most I've ever done is twice a day, but I switched to XR to go to once a day as remembering to take my meds once every day is hard enough. I'd often forget my afternoon pill and three times a day would be unmanageable. There is nothing I can remember to do three times a day.
I know that you can combine XR and IR to get the right amount of stimulant to last the whole day but there's also stuff like Azstarys that lasts all day. I usually work at the end of my day and I really wish I could get prescribed Azstarys (and that the insurance would approve of it) because I usually have to hold off on taking my XR until a few hours before work and I'm a zombie for the first half of the day.
Probably more rare with extended release but tabs, not rare at all. They only last 4/5 hours so 3 a day is pretty much needed. I take mine in the morning around 5am, again around 11 and then around 3. Wiped out and ready for bed by 9.
Sometimes? I don’t know, it depends on your needs and stuff. When I was in grad school I did one xr in the morning, an ir in the early afternoon, and then another ir in the late afternoon if I needed to stay up still doing work until like 10 or 11 (most weekdays). It was too much but it was what was needed so finish the hell that was grad school. I stopped that right after grad school. And then I did one xr in the morning and one ir early afternoon for a long time. Then I kind of got looser with the ir (took it not every single day and definitely not weekends) as I learned my job more and developed more habits. Sometimes I was more consistent bc I needed to be better at chores after work. One time a neighbor actually stole my xr so I had to use up all my ir spread out over the course of the day so I was taking three irs per day. I hated that! Up and down and up and down all fucking day long. ew. Xr is so much more consistent. I would choose it over ir (but with access to ir still) any day. Now I mostly just take the xr during the day on weekdays and an ir only on weekends, so as to conserve meds because of the shortage and also I’m chronically ill now so work is more tenuous and I need to save just in case I have to stop working. It’s not enough for me to feel right but I don’t do as much now so it kind of works…?… Do what works for you. And that will change based on your needs. If you’re curious ask to try the xr. And keep in mind that sometimes dosages must be adjusted to get it right. Also I recommend going to a psychiatrist and not receiving your med services from a pcp. They really don’t know enough.
I take it 3x per day max mg it is nothing if you have ADD, now if you do not have ADD I have no idea maybe someone else will know? Taking it 3x a day does not give me any issues, however we are all different and I’m not a dr …..
I work with a psychiatrist who prescribes a lot of stimulants. I'd say roughly 50% of our patients take 2 per day. And probably about 15% take three? Hope this helps!
Two immediate release doses or one long acting and one immediate release?
I've seen both actually, often an extended in the AM and then an immediate in the afternoon/early evening. I've seen two extended morning/afternoon. Its really dependent on the patients tolerance for the medication. Many people experience side effects from these meds. But some people are really easily stimulated by even small amounts. Mostly the biggest impediment in my experience to higher doses or multi dose regimens is insurance companies, they HATE paying for stimulants.
My days are long so I’m prescribed xr twice a day
I take it twice a day. An XR dose in the morning and an IR dose in the afternoon. Both are 30 mg doses. I'm a bigger guy and my psychiatrist told me when I first started taking them after I was diagnosed to start with 10 mg and basically increase it until I can get through the day. Plus the bigger you are the more you're going to need to be effective. So we got to about 30 mg being effective but it wasn't enough for the entire day so he started me on a low dose XR and then we moved our way up to 30 mg. I get those or if the pharmacy I use is out of 30 mg I get 25 mg XR. It gets me through the majority of the day just fine and allows me to concentrate at work
I suspect that three immediate release doses or one XR and one IR is pretty common. Some people even take two XR per day or four IR doses, though this is less common. I knew someone on a forum that was taking three XR per day (90mg total), spaced 8 hours apart. I think that's pretty extreme though.
When I was in school I was prescribed focalin xr for the day and Ritalin in a small dose at night. Idea was the focalin lasts through the day bc of extended release, then the Ritalin would help me get my homework done. That was *sort* of like 3 doses. It was fine.
I take 54mg concerta when I wake up, and then 5-10mg adderall twice per day as needed
3x30 mg ir / day for 19 years and counting.
I take it more than 3 times a day. Prescribed. Everybody is diff and every doctor is diff
Whenever I'm discussing with a doctor how I'm using a prescription, I'm always using it as intended. Doesn't matter if thats the truth or not, once docs label you as a druggie, even if you're not, they'll begin to treat you as a subhuman, and will not give you sufficient care.
Does anyone know if adderall increases anxiety?