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Ask the ADD Medical Expert:
Larry Silver, M.D.
Developing a Tolerance for Adderall?
Q:
"My current dose of Adderall (20 mg daily) seems to be less effective that it had been when I first started. Have I built up a tolerance to the medication? Do I need an increase in dosage?"
A:
I'm glad you are thinking and taking responsibility for your ADHD needs.
The dose of Adderall needed is not based on age or body weight. It appears to be based on the specific pattern of metabolizing the medication for each person. Thus, some need 5 mg per dose, some 10, some 15, and some 20. Each individual needs to find out.
When you say that you use to take 20 mg a day, did you mean 10 mg twice a day? If so, you may find that you now need a higher dose, perhaps 15 or 20 mg each dose. Each dose lasts between four and five hours. So, experiment with when you need coverage. Perhaps you can take it during classes, skip time in the late afternoon when you are "vegging" out, then take a dose to cover homework. Discuss these options with your physician.
 3 Comments:
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Posted by
motomom
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May 9 2009 @ 3:13 AM
I NEED SOME HELP!!!
Is There a Med Better Than Adderall?
Hi, I'm 37 & have ADD. My Dr, has me on Adderall (2 20mg pills in the morning & 2 20mgpills in the afternoon) I've been taking it for about 2 years now. I was wondering if any of you have found a similar but "better" med.? It doesn't seem to work nearly as well any more & I've tried the "3 day med. vacation" and then started it again, but I've found that I dread even taking my pills anymore & sometimes am up to 2 hours late in doing so because they don't seem to help anymore, yet when if I don't take them, I can feel the difference & then decide to start them again so that I can at least get a little bit more focused with their help. I'm afraid to talk to my Dr. about this because if he decides to take me off the Adderall in place of something else, what if the something else doesn't help as much as the Adderall, even though the Adderall's effect is minimal at best. So I guess I was wondering if any of you have been in this situation & if you have found a more effective med that you don't seem to end up being "immune" to. A better med. Adderall doesn't make me "speedy", but it helps me to get focused & it seems like I feel a bit more motivated on it. I think it helps me to be a bit more organized. I'm a housewife with 3 ADHD kids under the age of 14 so I just don't know what to do or how to approach my Dr, & really hope some of you can give me some ideas or advice as far as switching meds. I'm just at a loss. If you want you can email me at croemen30@msn.com Thanks, Moto-Mom
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Posted by
nikki o
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Jul 6 2008 @ 12:12 PM
adderall
i am seeing a psychiatrist to prescribe my medication, i am still waiting for refill on my meds, will being off them do harm
i was taken off straterra 80mg because it really didn't help and was left with adderall 20 mg twice a day. I was on both now i'm on nothing until new dr puts me back on something. it is terrible now because i am so scattered brained and impulsive all over again and extremely high strung and worry constantly. any advice?
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Posted by
emitt
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Jul 2 2008 @ 5:02 PM
dose tolerance
I take 90 mill. of adderal daily why isnt it working any more Is there a better med I have built a tolerance and Im losing hope
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