Hello. I have recently started to take Adderall XR for my add. It does its job well in keeping me focused in school and I feel as if it will really help me. I have alot of concerns though.. browsing around on the internet. I've read it can do permanent brain damage over time.. ect. I currently take 25 mg per day and it seems to be the right amount. My main question for now though is about my lack of sleep from taking the medication. The only side effects I seem to be experiencing are the loss of appetite, dry mouth and insomnia. I cannot sleep at all. I am severely exhausted.. and I still cannot manage to fall asleep. I haven't been able to sleep for almost 3 days now.. and I am wondering if there is anything I can do to help me sleep and still take the medication? Thank you :)
How can I manage Adderall to reduce sleepless nights?
- Posted:
- 22 Feb 2008 by Valadis
- Topics:
- adderall, adderall xr, insomnia
Answers (11)
pharmd066 Mar 2008
I had a lot of trouble with Adderall XR when I took it, too. I was prescribed about 65mg or higher, per day, though. I call it the super model's pill because I never slept and never ate. I ended up fainting on it. However, I should stress that that was MY experience. A lot of people have dosages that are more compatable and are finding that it's very effective for them. In general, the stimulant drugs (like Adderall) will affect your sleep. The idea is to take it as early in the morning as possible so that when the 2nd round kicks in it will be early enough in the day/afternoon to not affect your sleep at night, hopefully. I've never heard about the brain damage, though. Have you asked your prescribing doctor about other possible A.D.D. medications? Good luck, and I hope it all works out for you and that you finally get some good sleep.
inhalexxh...7 Mar 2008
Just found these... the first six defiently apply to "abuse." Ones below that make sense though.
What are the long-term effects of the condition?
Amphetamine abuse causes long-term changes in the brain that interfere with memory and coordination. People who abuse amphetamines increase their risk of stroke. Other long-term effects of amphetamine abuse include:
� being out of touch with reality
� depression, leading to a high risk for suicide
� exposure to HIV, the virus that causes AIDS
� heart problems
� hepatitis B and C from contaminated equipment
� lead poisoning, from contaminants in the drug
� malnutrition as a result of low food intake
� paranoia
� psychotic disorders
� violent behavior
10 Jun 2009
HI! I too currently take Adderall however, I started off taking the XR like you are now then switched to the rapid release. I feel with the rapid release ones it's easier to manage how much you need & when. They usually last from anywhere from 3-4 hrs. per pill therefore, you can take your last one 3-4 hrs. before you want to go to sleep. If that doesn't work for you, ask your doctor for xanax or something along those lines to help you fall asleep at night. I hope I helped you out at least a little! :0)
30 Jul 2009
I've been on adderrall xr 60 mg for about a year now. Truthfully I can't function w/o it! Although sometimes staying up late is beneficial if you have alot of cleaning or things you have to finish that you just can't manage to get done during the day- especially if you have children or work late... but everyone needs their beauty sleep at some point! I take a small dose of Klonopin that my physc. prescribed me for moments that I feel like I'm about to flip out! It works great, within a couple minutes of laying down I'm out like a light & it always helps me get a good solid night's sleep! I deffinately reccomend you ask your doc to write you a Rx for a low dose benzo. If not maybe an over-the-counter sleeping aid like tylenol pm will work- although I've never tried it but its worth a shot!
DSG118 Mar 2010
I discovered that I can take Adderall and go right to sleep. My doctor pointed out that this happens regularly to those with ADD, because our brains are wired incorrectly. Maybe you don't have ADD, and a doctor should be prescribing something other than this drug. Like provigil or something like that, for those who suffer from other sleep disorders.
rollermom18 Mar 2010
so you made this post i guess almost a month ago so im sure you have gotton it under control by now ive been taking adderall for almost 4 years and ive tried adderall xr ritilan everything and everything there is to try ive tried. When i first get my script and havent taken it in a couple days then yea i have a hard time sleeping but you get use to it and yiukk be able to go right to sleep on it and i take 60mg of imidiate release daily and i take one when i wake up it last i think like 3 or 4 hrs then i pop another i take 3 a day and usually take my last before 6 so i will not be up and after time your body gets use to them and going and staying asleep will not be a problem, you need to tell him to take you off the time release and put you on regular also mabe ask for something to help you sleep at night im telling you get on regular adderall hugh difference its out your system quick hope this helps
rollermom
18 Mar 2010
also i never ate either i lost alot of weight but u have to eat then youll become use to it buy soups carnation instant breakfast was a life saver and lots of fluids
Anonymous 30 Apr 2010
My doc said not to take it after 3pm... easier said than done though, amirite? heh. Anyways, I found milk with a little bit of honey makes me sleepy. Also, at least 2 hrs of physically demanding activity, whatever it may be (cleaning, working out, lifting stuff etc) works awesome when done consistently.
Then again... I am awake and it is 4am... >.<
FML!
<3 take care
hernandaz123
14 May 2010
hahahahaha!
melohh10 Jun 2010
Try adderllin.
It is a very new supplement that is out that is an all herbal alternative to adderall. It is over the counter so you don't need a prescription.
I've been taking it because i am also a student and it really keeps me focused and there is no crash.
you can google it and it will come up.
cydwayz16 Sep 2010
3 days... you poor thing! You must be so terribly exhausted :-(
zev5110419 Oct 2010
In my honest opinion, adderall xr is probably the best way to go, or stay with in your case. As mentioned above, it should be taken as early in the morning as possible. If that means waking up an hour earlier than usual, do it. With almost all types of medication your body and mind need constant and repeated routine in order for you to accurately pinpoint what the resolving issue is. If you begins a routine of waking up earlier than normal it will suck at first, but after a week or two you should be adjusted enough to reaaly know what's going on. Having jumped through hoops myself trying to balance adderall xr use and sleep (or lack there of) I know it takes some time with hit or miss throughout. If I happen to sleep late on the weekends and wake up anytime after 10am, I'll simply refrain from taking it because I know ill be up even later Saturday night, so on and so forth.
acey33
16 Jan 2011
thanks for sharing
bigz3009
24 Feb 2011
zev51104 is simply giving good information. my theory is different becasue i dont have to take sleep meds due to how i found out how to manage sleep with adderall. when taking adderall XR there are four amphetamine each relased in about 4 hour intervals depending on ones body chemistery. as i learned in med school adderall actually stays in your system about 16 hours before its truly out of your system. 4x4= 16hour duration. while taking adderall make sure you wake up at least an hour to two hours early. eat a good breakfast with some good fats..pb&j sandwich with some fish oil or oatmeal with dates or if you dont like dates oatmeal with like a trailmix. an hour later take your adderall. I know its hard to wake up early but everything is hard at first and i promise your body will adjust. try to eat atleast 2-3 meals a day. samller the meals the more you will get hungry so you can get the next meal in. stay away from meals high in bad fats.
Search for questions
Still looking for answers? Try searching for what you seek or ask your own question.
Similar questions
Tamoxifen - Does this cause sleepless nights?
1 answer • 10 Nov 2010 • 
Has tramadol ever caused sleepless nights while trying to stop taking the medication?
Has tramadol ever caused sleepless nights or make your skin feel likes its crawling while trying to sleep, While trying to quit taking the medication.
4 answers • 22 Jun 2011 •
I have just started taking this generic prozac, the effect change every few days...why is this?
the first couple nights were sleepless nights, weird dreams. Next few days, felt happier, more energy, started doing more, Great. Then Next few days ...
3 answers • 22 Aug 2011 •
How do you successfully manage tinnitus, or ringing of the ears?
I have both cervical spinal stenosis (growths on C3-C7 vertebra) and fibromyalgia. I am addressing the pain and insomnia/fatigue merry-go-round, but ...
4 answers • 26 May 2012 • 1 star
Hi,i am 24 & frequently suffers sleepless nights,i havn't slept since 4 nights?
i stay alone & feels so depressed sometimes.i also suffer lack of sleep frequently & it very hard to get asleep daily.presently i ...
4 answers • 27 Jan 2013 • 1 star
Yeah, Xanax does work for sleep with Adderall. I take Xanax for my anxiety, and insomia. And whenever im having troble sleeping from the Adderall, ill take it and i go right to sleep after that. But im pretty sure your docter will not prescribe you Xanax for sleep trobles with Adderall. But I wouldnt know...
ambien is what I take to sleep