Adderall XR vs regular Adderall and dosage - ADD / ADHD Message Board

sawbuck44 · 11-14-2004, 12:03 PM

My son started on Adderall regular and worked up to 20mg once daily. He seemed to be doing a bit better but said he didn't really notice anything different. Went to the doctor and asked about XR. So he is now taking 20mg once daily of XR. He seems more agigtated and short-fused. Said he feels hungrier on XR (more than normal). Doctor said for his weight and height, 20mg is what he should be using. My son is 5'8", 175 lbs, and age 12.

How does this sound to those of you using Adderall? I think he should go back to regular and increase his dosage.

fuzzybaffy · 11-14-2004, 01:15 PM

Adderall XR dosage isn't dependent on weight, so you should definitely ask the Doc to give him a lower dose of Adderall XR.

norat · 11-14-2004, 01:19 PM

If he was doing 20MG once a day, then switched to 20 MG XR once a day his medication has been cut in half. That's why he's moody.

sawbuck44 · 11-14-2004, 05:00 PM

Now I'm really confused. fuzzy thinks the dose should go lower and norat thinks it's not enough?!? Or am I reading into the answers wrong?

norat · 11-14-2004, 05:43 PM

a 20MG dose of XR is 2 doses. You get one dose when you first take the medicine, and another dose around 5 hours later when the timed release beads dissolve. So when he takes a 20MG capsule he is only getting 10MG, he gets another 10 in 5 hours to make 20. But if he's used to 20 all at once he is getting half his dose.