I was diagnosed with adult ADHD after both of my boys were diagnosed. I was taking Adderall 10mg x 2 times a day. That didn't work for long, so he put me on 20mg for am and 10mg for pm. For the last couple of weeks, I've noticed that if I take my afternoon dose (and I don't always take it... just only if I feel like I need it and I rarely take it on my days off unless I have to drive) my heart will race and do what I call a "triple beat" and I'll lose my breath. At one time, due to finances, I couldn't fill my script for almost two weeks and a friend gave me a ritalin before I got into serious trouble at work. Within minutes, I was calm, relaxed so focused better than I ever have been. It was almost like taking a valium. Should I talk to my dr about changing?
ADHD - should I ask my doctor to change from Adderall to Ritalin?
Question posted by NoxAngelicus on 2 Aug 2012
Last updated on 28 August 2019
5 Answers
I was on the generic version of Adderall for ten years. 40mg in the morning and 20mg in the afternoon. (I only took the afternoon dose when I felt I needed it) The last couple months I've felt like it wasn't working at all, so I asked my doc about switching to Ritalin. I took my first dose this am. It's a dose of 20mg in the am and another 20 in the pm. I've only taken the am dose but I feel a lot more normal than I have for the last couple months. I was on Ritalin as a kid and it helped then so I figured it was worth a shot.
I'm considering asking to be switched to ritalin from adderall ir for the same reason... i know this is an old post but if you happen to see this (and still take it), may I ask if the ritalin continues to work for you?
No. You should be taking your Adderall as prescribed. Adderall is to be taken everyday so it will work properly and the Adderall will have less side effects too(like you lose your breath.) There is also Adderall XR which you take once a day in the morning that lasts 12 hours(all day.)
Try that first.
Mine says amphetamines salts... they're blue... that's about all I know about them. The only side effect I worry about is the extreme increase in my pulse... timed it at 138 bpm while at rest and the out of no where got the triple beats that made me start sweating , lost my breath and got a little sick to my stomach. That's what I'm worried about... cos it hurts.
You should be telling your doctor about that. It's important to take food with Adderall
hello NoxAngelicus... did you consider taking adderall xr? i understand you tried ritalin and it seemed to have the right affect on you, but i thought i would put that out there for you. i, too, started on adderall in the IR formula, as I am sure most everyone does, those of us that were diagnosed as adults, and after adjusting to 10 mg and 10 mg, i was upped to 20 and 10 and like you, i had improved affect but it wasn't better than the negative side effects it gave me..i also wonder what generic brand you are taking... some people prefer the Teva brand over the sandoz brand due to anxiety/elevated heart rate side effects... i really like the XR and do not have the side effects,well, the good ones, not the negative ones... good luck, keep an open mind and remember it's your choice : )
You could ask. Perhaps methylphenidate is a better drug for you. (ritalin, Methylin ER and Concerta are methylphenidate-ritalin being short acting four hour drug, Methylin ER is an 8 hour drug and Concerta is a 12 hour drug) Ritalin has to be dosed two to three times a day. You might do best with Concerta to get you through a full day and a few hours when you get home from work to get dinner cooked etc with one AM dose.
Related topics
adderall, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (adhd)
Further information
- Adderall uses and safety info
- Adderall prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Adderall (detailed)
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