How does Adderall XR work/release?

Question

I was recently diagnosed with ADD and, frankly, Adderall has completely changed my life. I can remember the conversations I was having an hour ago, I can recognize people's faces, driving is safer now that I can pay attention, etc.

So that sets up my question: if you take a 20mg Adderall XR does that mean you get two doses of 20mg or two doses of 10mg? (One dose instantly then another +/- 4hrs. later.)

I'm currently taking one 20mg XR in the morning and then a 20mg IR in the evening, but from how I feel and from what I've read online that's actually coming out to doses of: 10mg, 10mg, 20mg. Am I right? Because I feel the best on 20mg IR but my psychiatrist seems reluctant to switch to a higher dose of the extended release capsules. I can't tell if he doesn't understand how Adderall XR works or if there's just something here I'm not getting.

The thing is, I'm so relieved that I can finally pay attention to anything that I'm pretty much willing to take what I can get. I feel like I should be maintaining a level dose throughout the day, and if that's an important enough issue then I'll switch to a lower dose of the instant release, but I would obviously prefer to stay at 20mg since that's been working great for a few months now.

Sorry for the lengthy explanation post but this is really bothering me and I don't know how to bring this up with my psychiatrist without sounding like I'm angling for a bigger fix or accusing him of getting my meds wrong. Any help would be really appreciated, thanks!

Answer

2 doses of 10 4-6 hours apart

Answer

So, one Idea, that differs from the rest that I read. I hope you are still monitoring this thread. So, you have a prescription that covers taking 1x 20mg XR in the morning, and 1x 20mg IR in the evening... what is to prevent you from taking the IR in the morning, with 10mg of the XR, and the other 10mg of the XR later on... or taking all of it in the morning? I ask because it's sortof a given (as one who has taken some form of Ritalin/Adderall since I was 5) that it's not healthy to have it in your system in quantity all day, every day... there has to be "durrr" ADD time... there just has to be. That being said, as long as you stick to the prescribed dosages, I don't see any reason why you could not safely re-define which you take when. That thought having been expressed, I should close by saying that I have no medical training whatsoever... I'm just a person who's been taking some form of it for almost 40 years (30mg IR daily, at present... less when I can pull it off).

Answer

Hi there, over the last 7 years I&rsquo;ve been prescribed both the IR and XR forms of Adderall.  The number of milligrams shown on the capsule for XR is the total amount released. So if you take one 20mg XR capsule, you&rsquo;re getting 10mg instantly and then 10mg later when the slow-dissolving half has kicked in.

Answer

I know this is old but for me I was prescribed 20xr in the morning and 10ir afternoon, I hated the xr because it wasn't very effective so I took the capsule between my teeth and crushed some of the beads and it worked similar to ir but with lingering effects of the xr just a heads up if you don't want to go to your Dr and sound like a "seeker"

Answer

Wow. I am sorry you spent so much time asking someone for advice who is completely unqualifed to give it, as they completely misinformed you. I hope you have found a solution to your problem by now, I am simply posting this response for others who may have the same question.

If you look inside an Adderall XR capsule, it is filled with microcapsules. These microcapsules have two coatings, one that dissolves in a manner similar to IR (so you feel it fairly soon) and another that dissolves about 4 hours later (this obviously varies slightly from person to person). It does NOT release into your bloodstream slowly throughout the day, as previously suggested in earlier comments. It's scary to see how casually people can spread misinformation.

Expand...

When you take an XR 20, 10mg is released into your system within an hour, and another 10mg is released into your system +/- 4 hours later, not 20mg 2x. When I began taking 20mg XR, I found that the second dose did not seem as effective as the first, and I experienced fairly severe symptoms of withdrawal such as headaches and irritability. This was remedied by adding 10mg of IR in the late morning and another 10mg of IR in mid-afternoon if necessary.

I might add that there are newer drugs on the market, such as Vyvanse, that are absorbed into your system differently and some people feel less of the roller-coaster effect that Adderall sometimes gives. Unfortunately for me, the maximum dose of Vyvanse was not effective enough, as I suffer from Narcolepsy in addition to ADHD. However, for most people Vyvanse works extremely well and is less harsh on your endocrine system.

All in all, listen to your body and listen to your doctor. If your plan of care is not working, you can always seek the advice of a second physician. Hope this helps!

Votes: +2

Answer

This is the most frustrating conversation I've ever read on the entire internet. Your question was very clear yet no one understood it. Only ONE PERSON actually addressed the question, and correctly too, by providing a source straight from the manufacturer.

The answer to your question is that you are essentially taking 10mg, 10mg, then 20mg.

20mg XR is not 20 now, 20 later. It's 10 now and 10 later, adding up to a total of 20.

I do not know why it's done that way. And I completely understand why it's important to know; like you, I feel 20mg IR is most effective. Therefore, I should be on 40mg Xr in the morning and 20 ir in the evening for a constant dose of 20 throughout the day, not 10 10 then 20.

Votes: +2

Answer

Adderall ir works better because you get the full effect at once with adderall xr realeses slowly but you can always break the extended release before you take it.

Answer

I know this is an old thread, but I just wanted to contribute my own experiences. I really dislike seeing people on here judging others. People take this drug for a myriad of reasons, not just for ADHD. I had a very nasty virus in 2011 that damaged my immune system so badly that I then wound up with POTS, Lupus, Antiphospolipid Syndrome and Addison's disease. I was prescribed Adderall for the extreme fatigue that goes along with the very low BP issues associated with POTS. Through the years, Adderall has been the only prescription that has consistently helped me. I totally understand the difference between IR and ER because I was just recently given the XR by mistake and, quite honestly, could not even drag myself out of bed. Waiting right now for the corrected prescription. Everyone is not taking this drug looking for a "high". There are people with very real medical issues that depend on this drug just to be able to function physically. Thanks for reafing my two sense.

Answer

I don't to be rude to what'sup2014, but reality is adderrall or or Dr is not to get you to get the energy to get things done. It is suppose to be theraputical and help the concentration levels. I am on 2 30mg xr twice a day and gives me a even level of help. Some of these comments on here seem to be people wanting that high. When I first started on this prescription I sounded like the original comment and a couple of the responders. But, soon you guys will realize there is only so much upping the dose a doctor can do before he gives up on trying to treat the problem

Answer

20mgXR = 20mg. It's not 'separate doses', it's just spread more evenly. It's not 40. It's 20. It's not two 20's. It's just 20. Anyone telling you it's 20+20 is wrong. And with my unprofessional, non-doctor understanding of adderall XR and IR, your dosage does seem unconventional because it's giving you the much largest hit later in the day. The XR will spread the 20 over many hours. Then, upon taking the 20 IR, You will still have some of the XR in your system, PLUS 20IR, putting you at like, much higher levels than you ever were earlier in the day.
My dosage, for example, is 30XR, then 10IR later. I still have some XR in my system, so the 10IR is just to add on top of it to finish out my day without lasting long enough to keep me awake.

Expand...

This very well could be what your psychiatrist wants! I don't know why, but he's the doctor not you. ***Just explain to him that you're confused about why he set you up to have the largest dosing later in your day, and if you are, in fact, experience the best 'high' later in the day, telling him that will allow him to adjust it if needed *.

Votes: +2

Answer

20 mg of Adderall XR is the equivalent of taking two 10mg IR doses, four hours apart. I researched Adderall on Wikipedia. It referenced the Medication Guide for Adderall (reference #39), a PDF file. On page 4, it states that, "A single dose of ADDERALL XR&reg; 20 mg capsules provided comparable plasma concentration profiles of both d-amphetamine and l-amphetamine to ADDERALL&reg; (immediate-release) 10 mg bid administered 4 hours apart." I hope this answers the original question. :)

Answer

Thank you for posting this question, I was wondering the same thing since my new doctor prescribed 30XR (extended release). I was on 20 immediate release before 3 times a day. I have found that I can barely tell if the extended release is working and it doesn't give me the push I need to get things done. I also don't feel a sense of contentment after I take it. That makes sense that the 30 is broken up and releasing a little at a time and not 30 the whole time because its basically not working for me. I am posting this to hopefully help others googling this because its frustrating going through the whole rigamarole to go to the doctor then pharmacy and when it doesn't work it's so defeating. I am going to ask him to switch me back to Vyvanse 60 because I think I did better on that. 30 milligrams of the XR total a little bit at a time does not have any helpful effect. I can't tell a difference which basically defeats the purpose.

Expand...

Also I find that with the immediate release I would have to take 2 20s to actually feel content. The terrible thing about Adult ADD is the constant discontentment. When I wasn't on the medication and hadn't been diagnosed yet I would take hot showers 3 times a day just to feel content. That's the best way I can describe it. If I'm not in bed and comfortable or taking a hot shower Im struggling with discontentment. Yes, medication has changed my life too. It actually helps me accomplish picking up my house or running errands. If I'm not on the medication everything is drudgery.

Votes: +2

Answer

I will try to help as much as I can. Any medicine with a specific mg dose is just that. 20mg is always 20mg. How it is released cannot changed the concentration. For instance epinephrine can be given 1:1000 or 1:10,000. Its still 1mg... just the amount of the substance it is desolved in is different. Your XR gives you 20mg instantly and another 20mg later.And you take another 20mg seperate with your RR. Thats 3 doses of 20mg a day. You are getting the "buz" from your RR because the 2nd dose of XR hasnt completely left your system. Its so you avoid the lows. Hope this helps you or the next person who reads it. This however does not mean consulting your MD is not recommended or encouraged.

Answer

I can totally relate with and agree with how you are thinking. To me, it makes sense to have the amount even throughout the course of every day. Who wants ups and downs? My understanding of how the XR releases is if you are taking 20 mg XR, it's like you are taking two 10mg through the course of time the XR lasts for you. I could be wrong, but I think that is right. I totally disagree that you should not "bother" your doctor about this (like someone in here said). That is his/her job. You should be able to get as many questions answered about this stuff as you want. If he/she won't answer thoroughly enough, find a new one. If he/she thinks you are just trying to get a higher fix for some sort of negative reason, get someone new. You don't need people questioning your sincere desire to be stably focused throughout the course of any given day.

Answer

I take 40mg Adderall XR daily. Two 20mg's a day. f you're taking the 20mg XR - extended release capsule it's releasing 20mg instantly then 20mg more throughout the rest of the day. That's why doctor's usually suggest the 2nd capsule of XR be taken no later than lunch time, so as not to interfere with their patients sleep.
I know first hand that your body can build up a tolerance to a certain dose of a medication, especially "nervous system stimulants" such as Adderall, Adderall XR, Concertta, Vyvanse, and Ritilan. I've been on them all at one time or another and have had to switch between them to avoid a tolerance build up to any one drug. They all feel and work the same way. If your med seems not as effective as it once was maybe you could suggest one of these Adderall alternatives instead of a dose increase. I'm sure your doctor would be more receptive to a medicine change than a dose increase.

Expand...

********************************************************
Something to consider as well is to suggest your doctor prescribe an "add-on" assistance drug, such as Strattera, Intuniv or Kapvay, which are "non-nervous system stimulants" that are designed to reduce the effects of ADHD when added to a "stimulant" ADHD medication. (Such as Adderall or Adderall XR) They work by noticeably increasing the effects of the "stimulant" medication. They are quite effective from everything I've read about them AND non-addictive, so your doctor should welcome such a suggestion.
STRATTERA, INTUNIV and KAPVAY® are proven to help improve ADHD symptoms better than a stimulant medication alone. They work by increasing the amount of norepinephrine, an important brain chemical. <<Norepinephrine re-uptake inhibitors work by increasing brain levels of norepinephrine, a chemical that's in short supply in people who have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The increase in norepinephrine improves attention span and reduces impulsivity and hyperactivity.>> This appears to help ADHD symptoms by increasing attention span and reducing impulsive behavior and hyperactivity.

Intuniv,Strattera and Kapvay have an effect on certain receptors in the brain. Studies show that they reduce distractibility and improve attention, working memory, and impulse control when added to a "nervous system stimulant" medication.

HOPE THIS HELPS!!! = ) ~Good2BeHappy~

How does Adderall XR work/release?

18 Answers

Related topics

Further information

Similar questions

Please, does anyone know why my Adderall doesn't work anymore?

ADHD - Does adderall make your brain chatter go away?

Is the pink 30mg generic adderall cor 136 extended release?

Is 10 mg of instant release Adderall once a day a normal starting dose?

I take 60mgs of Dexedrine a day instant release. It doesn't seem to last that long and after 3pm.

Search for questions