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Adderall (amphetamine mixed salts)
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Overall Rating
7.74
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Rating:
7.74
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Side Effects
5.22
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Pricing
4.44
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Average Price: $28.41
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Recommended By
84% of reviewers
(of 19 reviews)
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advertisement
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Adderall®
Generic Name: Amphetamine Mixed Salts am-FET-a-meen
Drug Class: Amphetamine-like Drugs | | Contents | Description | This medicine is used to treat narcolepsy, attention deficit disorders (ADD, ADHD). Your doctor may prescribe this medicine for other conditions as well such as narolepsy (difficulty staying awake).
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| | General Information | | This information is for educational purposes only. Not every known side effect, adverse effect, or drug interaction is in this database. If you have questions about your medicines, talk to your healthcare provider. Top of page
| | Proper use of this medicine | Follow the directions that your doctor has given you. This medicine is taken orally and may be taken with or without food. Do not abruptly stop taking this medicine before talking to your doctor. Do not break, crush or chew sustained-release forms. This medicine may cause a patient to have difficulty sleeping. It is recommended that this medicine be taken several hours before going to sleep or in the morning. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about the best time to take this medicine.
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| | Missed Dose | Take your next dose as soon as you remember. If it is time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular schedule. Do not double doses.
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| | Storage | Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture. Throw away any medication that is outdated or no longer needed.
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| | Possible Side Effects | - nervousness, fast heart beat, excitement
- insomnia
- reduced appetite
- More severe side effects may include:
- growth suppression in children
- chest pain
- seizures or involuntary movements
- If you experience any of these severe side effects, talk to you doctor immediately.
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| | Warnings/Precautions | - Talk to your doctor before taking this medicine if you have a history of:
- high blood pressure
- seizures
- substance abuse issues
- Do NOT take this medicine if you have severe depression.
- Methylphenidate should NOT be used in patients with Tourette's syndrome or patients with a family history of this condition.
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| | Overdose | Seek medical attention immediately. U.S. residents can call the national poison hotline at 1-800-222-1222. Canadian residents should call their local poison control center directly.
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| | Drug Interactions | - Possible drug interactions may occur with monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAO), increasing the risk for irregular hear beat (arrhythmias), seizures, or high blood pressure (hypertension). Talk to your physician or pharmacist if you are taking other medications.
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| | Pregnancy/Nursing | If you are pregnant, or thinking of becoming pregnant, talk to your doctor about the risks versus the benefits of taking this medicine during your pregnancy. For nursing mothers, do not take this medicine while breastfeeding.
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| | More Information | For more information about this medicine, talk to your healthcare provider.
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| Copyright © 2006 PharmClips, Inc. All rights reserved. www.pharmclips.com | | This information is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, drug interactions, or adverse effects. This is general information and should not in any event be construed as specific instructions for individual patients. The publisher does not accept any responsibility for the accuracy of the information or the consequences arising from the application, use, or misuse of any of the information contained herein, including any injury and/or damage to any person or property as a matter of product liability, negligence, or otherwise. No warranty, expressed or implied, is made in regard to the contents of this material. The reader is advised to check with their health care provider before making any changes in their drug regimen. |
Last reviewed:
On 8 Aug 2006
By John M. Grohol, Psy.D.
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Tags: adderall
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Review Date: Wed July 12, 2006
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Would you recommend this? Yes |
Total Spent: Not Indicated| Rating: 8
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Positive aspects of this (pros):
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allows intense focus ability during day
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Negative aspects of this (cons):
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can cause jitters, minor problems with sleep
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I've used this for over a year, and it does the following: increases "energy" and focus during day, suppresses appetite, and in the slow relrease form, is quite tolerable. I don't think it's for everybody, just ADD symptoms although it is prescribed for extreme tiredness as well. For ME...it "calms" me down..it may not for you.
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Amerikasend
Member
Registered: December 2006
Posts: 28
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Review Date: Mon December 4, 2006
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Would you recommend this? Yes |
Total Spent: Not Indicated| Rating: 9
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Positive aspects of this (pros):
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Helps me function while in school and when I try to do most tasks.
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Negative aspects of this (cons):
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Way too expensive, can't sleep sometimes, and loss of appetite
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I take 15mg twice a day Adderall XR. It helps me concentrate and pay attention in school. Normally I would just stare off into space and doing simple tasks either took a real long time to do them or I would end up forgetting to do them.
Bad side of Adderall is it's way too expensive.
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SolarLife
Visitor
Registered: September 2006
Posts: 2
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Review Date: Mon December 11, 2006
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Would you recommend this? Yes |
Total Spent: $0.15| Rating: 10
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Positive aspects of this (pros):
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Mental calm, reduced social anxiety, mood stabilizer
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Negative aspects of this (cons):
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Physical jitters
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Adderall IR has been amazing -- life changing.
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Brookester
Member
Registered: December 2006
Posts: 53
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Review Date: Thu December 21, 2006
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Would you recommend this? No |
Total Spent: Not Indicated| Rating: 1
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Positive aspects of this (pros):
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cannot give any positive input
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Negative aspects of this (cons):
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caused a high feeling, disrupted thoughts, feelings of being out of control
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I would be very careful with this medication due to its stimulant effect.
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Joepesto
Member
Registered: November 2004
Posts: 72
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Review Date: Wed December 27, 2006
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Would you recommend this? Yes |
Total Spent: $130.00| Rating: 7
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Positive aspects of this (pros):
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Keeps me awake and focused
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Negative aspects of this (cons):
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difficult sleeping
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I have been taking adderal for a few years now and it has helped a great deal. Without it, unfortunately, I am listless, unfocused, groggy and unmotivated. It is way too expensive. Without health insurance it is simply unaffordable.
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AlliKamikaze
Member
Registered: December 2006
Posts: 68
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Review Date: Sun December 31, 2006
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Would you recommend this? Yes |
Total Spent: $1.80| Rating: 10
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Positive aspects of this (pros):
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Helps me focus, Helps me get up in the morning even when I wonder if I can face the day, I feel less mentally exhausted, I feel happier
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Negative aspects of this (cons):
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If anything, it takes a little longer to kick in than other medications I've taken
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I've been taking adderall for about 5 months or so for my ADD. I've also tried Straterra, Concerta, and Ritalin, but I like Adderall the best of those.
It surprises me how much I hear about side effects from this drug, especially because I have never really experienced any. The only time, I had any problems at all, was when I first started taking it. I'm sure my body was trying to adjust to the new medication (switch from concerta to adderall) and for two nights, I got about 5 hours of sleep and felt great (which pretty much doesn't ever happen lol). I felt fine even then because I was happy and feeling productive. Part of me was weary that it may be a bad thing if this sleep cycle continues too long. But after that 2 days, my sleep cycle went back to normal and my body adjusted.
The hardest time for me to take it is in the early morning, when I'm hardly motivated enough to wake up and take it. But once I do, I feel so much better. I've had to put it by my bed with something to drink so that I can make it as easy as possible to take when I feel like I can't do anything yet.
Compared to other ADD drugs, I'd say this one has less of a drop off when medicine loses effect. I still take my meds at 2 times a day, to anticipate the drop before it can happen. But with other meds, such as concerta, I could feel much more of a sudden low, when my medicine had worn off. Adderall seems to fade away much more quietly. Adderall also seems to give me more of a boost in energy, which I definetly appreciate. I loved the way I felt when on concerta, but I would often let my happiness fill my dreams and prefer to sleep. With adderall I'm happier because I feel more productive and less sluggish.
So I definetly recommend it to someone who has ADD/ADHD and is guided under a knowledgable psychiatrist.
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joan2
Visitor
Registered: January 2007
Posts: 3
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Review Date: Fri January 26, 2007
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Would you recommend this? Yes |
Total Spent: Not Indicated| Rating: 10
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Positive aspects of this (pros):
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functioning, completing tasks, emotional control, less impulsivity.
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Negative aspects of this (cons):
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some dulling of emotions
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I have recurrent major depression and dysthmia, and both are treatment-resistant (for me). In addition to psychotherapy, this medication helps me to stay functiong and productive even when the antidepressants stop working. It is especially helpful with my reading and writing. I recommend it for people whose depression is severe and refractory if it is monitored by a physician and accompanied by psychotherapy. Since I have started using it I no longer drink. I also have ADD, and adderall is essential for that as well.
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pinacolada
Visitor
Registered: February 2007
Posts: 4
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Review Date: Sat February 24, 2007
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Would you recommend this? Yes |
Total Spent: Not Indicated| Rating: 7
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Positive aspects of this (pros):
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definitely improved organization, concentration and ambition, long lasting, multitasking mastered
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Negative aspects of this (cons):
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addicting, severe anxiety, suppression of emotion, obsession with perfection
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Although This drug is addicting, it;s seems to be the best treatment for Adhd. For me I felt more confident in my skills in the workplace. Adderall also alowed me to remember all the priorties for errands to sucessfully take care of my family. I tackeled my projects with ambtion instead of frustration of not knowing where to start. However it stifled my emotions and sense of humor. Like A Robot Living only to perform routine deeds. I found myself trying to perfect everything around me and became insenstive to others.
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lostinthemix
Visitor
Registered: March 2007
Posts: 1
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Review Date: Tue March 20, 2007
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Would you recommend this? No |
Total Spent: Not Indicated| Rating: 1
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Positive aspects of this (pros):
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It helped me focus before the headache set in (a few days).
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Negative aspects of this (cons):
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headache, nervousness
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It gave me the worst headache I have ever had from a med, I could not get rid of it until I stopped taking it. It also made me too jittery. I thought this was a great med before my brain felt like it was going to explode.
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Zeemee
Junior Member
Registered: May 2007
Posts: 18
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Review Date: Fri May 18, 2007
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Would you recommend this? Yes |
Total Spent: Not Indicated| Rating: 10
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Positive aspects of this (pros):
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able to focus, complete tasks, reduce impusiveness, prioritize in life
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Negative aspects of this (cons):
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I have had no problems w/this medication, w/out RX coverage, this medication costs well over $100
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Adderall allows me to have a reasonably normal life, it has stopped my running around from task to task, not finishing anything. It stops the procrastination and the inability to finish/complete the basic things I need to do in life. My mind is focused and doesn't feel like a squirrel cage. I don't rock back and forth like a whirling dervish. I no longer feel like the Energizer bunny 24/7. My ADHD was so bad that I was told that I was in constant motion, even while sleeping. My life is better with it. Ritalin helped me too but I have not tried any other meds for my severe ADHD. The cost is prohibitive for those with out prescription coverage.
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nibbanalice
Visitor
Registered: May 2007
Posts: 10
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Review Date: Thu May 24, 2007
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Would you recommend this? Yes |
Total Spent: Not Indicated| Rating: 9
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Positive aspects of this (pros):
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calms you down, concentrate better, better sleep
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Negative aspects of this (cons):
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nausea
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Good medicine. But it increases my appetite, makes me sleep more at night and sometimes take a nap. Calms me down. Feel less depressed. Can read better.
Can see better. It stops me from talking too much and pay attention.
Too small and don't like the colour but it's fine.
Definitely improved my sleep and productivity. My room's organized now.
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khenry75
Visitor
Registered: June 2007
Posts: 2
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Review Date: Fri June 22, 2007
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Would you recommend this? Yes |
Total Spent: $0.10| Rating: 7
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Positive aspects of this (pros):
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Increased focus & attention, better organization, increased energy.
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Negative aspects of this (cons):
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Amplified tics and supressed appetite.
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I am currently on the maximum dosage for Adderall (60mg: 20mg 3x/day). I think this is due to the fact that I take lithium as well (I also have bipolar disorder), which can reduce the effect of Adderall. I have yet to be as alert, focused and organized as I was in the very first week of taking Adderall, but I am still seeing a difference in my daily life. I have had some minor tics throughout the years, off and on, however this medication has brought them back and intensified them. Also, I was 116 lbs when I first started Adderall, and after that I was down to 100 lbs due to the suppressed appetite from this drug. I am now up to 106 and am still trying to gain weight. It doesn't help that I am home all day with 2 highly energetic and curious toddlers - sometimes I forget to eat because of them, but with Adderall I don't get that eventual hunger pang that would normally remind me to eat. Overall, I think the pros outweigh the cons with Adderall.
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Gymratdeb
Visitor
Registered: July 2007
Posts: 1
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Review Date: Fri July 6, 2007
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Would you recommend this? Yes |
Total Spent: Not Indicated| Rating: 10
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Positive aspects of this (pros):
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calm feeling; mind seems clearer; more organized and focused; weight loss
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Negative aspects of this (cons):
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Very thirsty the first two weeks; after that, none
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I am 49 years old and have been taking Adderall for four months. What a positive difference it has made in my life! I'm often wish I had known about it when I was younger. The biggest impact it has made in my life is my mind is calmer. I also no longer make irrational decisions which used to happen because of feeling overwhelmed when confronted in making a decision. I now actually finish projects, again without that feeling of being so overwhelmed. I can also read books again without feeling the words are just jumbled. Except for the first couple of weeks when I was extremely thirsty, I haven't had any negative side effects. It didn't effect my sleep at all. I was very cautious in the beginning when I drank coffee because I was afraid it would give me the jitters. But those fears have been unfounded. Of course, the best fringe benefit has been the weight loss. I have only been losing about a pound a week, but it is coming off without any anxiety. Like I said, it has made such a positive difference in my life. Even my husband cannot believe the changes in my personality.
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Treading_Water
Visitor
Registered: August 2007
Posts: 3
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Review Date: Fri August 3, 2007
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Would you recommend this? No |
Total Spent: Not Indicated| Rating: 7
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Positive aspects of this (pros):
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A godsend at first -- makes you superhuman
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Negative aspects of this (cons):
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Eventually levels off, but you are hooked
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I am conflicted about whether to recommend. If I had it to do over again, I wish I never heard of this drug. When I first went on it, it was amazing. The world was bright, I had amazing drive, I lost weight -- life was good! Over the years, I slowly drifted back to my "default" position. Now I have to take just to get to where I was. I still have significant blocks of time where I just cannot pull it together. I would say that my thoughts are better connected, but as far as allowing me to get things done -- eventually no better than when I started. And I worry a lot about the long-term effects. They tell you there is no concern, but come one, taking amphetamines for a decade plus? I try to get off and my mind fragments -- I can't get off it. All of that said, there may indeed be some who really need this. I may be marginally better off, but not worth the ball and chain.
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Barbarian
Visitor
Registered: November 2007
Posts: 9
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Review Date: Fri November 30, 2007
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Would you recommend this? Yes |
Total Spent: Not Indicated| Rating: 8
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Positive aspects of this (pros):
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One of the best drugs to treat ADHD; has a smooth release mechanism which reduces feelings of depression; increases bodily energy tremendously; if you're pressed for time in terms of school, then this drug's for you.
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Negative aspects of this (cons):
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Extremely addictive; easy tendency to develop tolerance; causes dehydration.
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One of the best drugs to treat ADHD. It is known for decreasing the amount of "ups-and-downs" that you commonly experience with methylphenidate drugs, such as Ritalin (the worst drug for ADHD). It is extremely effective in shutting your mouth up as well helping your focus. In the initial time that you take it, you might experience "hyper-focus". Trust me, this will end quickly (within a week or two). You'll then develop tolerance and lose the effectiveness it once portrayed. The addictiveness starts when you feel like increasing your dosage to achieve the same effect you experienced when first taking it.
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erikka91
Visitor
Registered: January 2008
Posts: 1
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Review Date: Fri January 25, 2008
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Would you recommend this? Yes |
Total Spent: Not Indicated| Rating: 10
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Positive aspects of this (pros):
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organization booster, keeps you awake, multi-tasking
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Negative aspects of this (cons):
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dehydration, major loss of sleep & weight, isolation, mood ups & downs
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*cocaine in a pill*
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MellyCat
Visitor
Registered: February 2008
Posts: 3
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Review Date: Wed February 13, 2008
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Would you recommend this? Yes |
Total Spent: Not Indicated| Rating: 7
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Positive aspects of this (pros):
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enabled me to concentrate, helped overcome some social anxiety, greatly aided me during school and work
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Negative aspects of this (cons):
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"high" feeling makes it addictive, continuously had to increase dosage to maintain effectiveness, makes relaxing very difficult, expensive
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While Adderall worked, and quite well, for many years, as my body became more and more accustomed to it, I required higher doses. I found myself wanting to take another dose as soon as the initial high feeling wore off. I was on Adderall and eventually Adderall XR for almost 8 years and decided after much concern over being too dependent on it (and the increased cost due to both increased dosage and then lack of health insurance) to give something else (Vyvanse) a try. If well managed and carefully monitored, Adderall can be a very beneficial medication to treat ADD and ADHD.
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pushit555
Visitor
Registered: March 2008
Posts: 1
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Review Date: Tue March 18, 2008
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Would you recommend this? Yes |
Total Spent: Not Indicated| Rating: 8
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Positive aspects of this (pros):
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Solid concentration, increased confidence, able to articulate my thoughts and ideas more clearly
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Negative aspects of this (cons):
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lasts too long, no appetite, come down is annoying but manageable
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Ok so adderall is probably the most consistent drug in regards to effectiveness to side effects. With XR though, I am able to focus through out the day and its great, however, some days I just want the effects of it to stop. It's nice to feel focused and have clear thoughts, but it gets annoying with XR. I am always analyzing my situation and society in general when I’m doing something unrelated to school—or anything else for that matter that doesn’t distract my mind (like driving or relaxing on the computer) and sometimes, I just want the effects of adderall to end. Has anyone else had this problem and if you have, did u switch to the shorter acting adderall and did that help?
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flowry
Visitor
Registered: March 2008
Posts: 1
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Review Date: Sun March 23, 2008
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Would you recommend this? Yes |
Total Spent: $10.00| Rating: 8
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Positive aspects of this (pros):
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more organized, really productive, head is clearer, feeling alert and energetic
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Negative aspects of this (cons):
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Difficult to sleep -- effects wear off beyond 12 hours
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Adderall has been great for me so far. I've been on it for 3 weeks for Bipolar II because of concentration and focus issues. Turns out I may have mild ADD as well. The drug is really helping me get more done and have a full, productive day. Before I would spend many hours in the evening in front of the TV, as if my brain was exhausted. I am feeling very alert now. I am hoping it will help some of the social anxiety I have had as well. The only problem is, I feel alert pretty much all the time. I have trouble sleeping without sleep aids, and often wake up way too early in the morning. I'd be curious to know if others who have experienced this --and if this side effect subsided with time.
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