What are the risks of taking Adderall in your 60's. I have looked everywhere online and have never found another patient my age who is taking this med.
I was diagnosed with adult ADD (not ADHD) almost two years ago and have been taking Adderall XR 30mg in a.m. with 15 mg booster at mid day. My doctor has told me to take 30 mg at mid day, but I seldom take that much because I have such bad insomnia. I worry about the effects. I am female, 5'5", 125 lbs., normal BP, high cholesterol, and have actually gained weight since starting to take Adderall. Previously, my doctor had me on Vyvanse, but my insurance won't pay for it. Thanks for any suggestions, or if you have experience to share. I'm glad I found this group. Annie
Anyone else in their 60's taking Adderall?
Question posted by Annie101 on 13 March 2011
Last updated on 19 February 2023
35 Answers Page 2
Hi! I also am taking Adderall 20mg. BID.i have been taking for several years. I am 67 yrs old.
Hi Annie my name is Susan, I am on 10 mg Adderall regular release, I prefer it to wear off by end of day. I was never diagnosed as a child, my mom knew what to do with me. They love me regardless but he has made life a little bit trickier. I find it helps me greatly with work, and the sluggishness I feel having aged, Adderall makes it easier to focus more quickly, if not abused and medically sound I see no reason why not to take it! Also helps me with mild depression. Love to chat with you, Susan your friend in the distracted world LOL!
I am a registered nurse and have been taking Adderall since I was in my late 30s . I am now 55 years old. I can only honestly say that treating my ADD has saved my life my ADD was so severe I barely graduated from high school and as a young adult could not hold a job for any length of time. I had no idea how severe my ADD was until I begin treating it I became an RN at 42 years of age graduating with a 3.7 GPA . I am on a 30 mg dose twice a day, smaller doses were ineffective and other medications actually raised my blood pressure. I recently went to refill my medication and my insurance will no longer cover it. The reason is because I am 55 years old It’s actually not the insurance it is my employer which is a hospital that is self- insured. I now pay $155 a month for my medication and have no choice.
I just realized your comment is over 11 yrs. old. But I had the same thing with my employer. They would not cover my prescription for brand Ritalin any longer and I have had to pay out of pocket as well. I tried generic but that didn't work for me. My doctor sent a prior authorization request but they still denied it. I could have have appealed but I know they would continue to deny. So I pay over $150. It doesnt work as well as it used to so I'm hoping to switch to adderall.
I just realized your comment is over 11 yrs. old. But I had the same thing with my employer. They would not cover my prescription for brand Ritalin any longer and I have had to pay out of pocket as well. I tried generic but that didn't work for me. My doctor sent a prior authorization request but they still denied it. I could have have appealed but I know they would continue to deny. So I pay over $150. It doesnt work as well as it used to so I'm hoping to switch to adderall.
Hi Annie101, Metoo3 here. I've been taking Adderall for about 10 years. I was given multiple written tests, a few questionnaires, and finally a face-to-face evaluation with a psychiatrist. After trying Ritalin, Valium, and some other downer, I was given Adderall 10mg to begin with. Dosage was gradually increased over a period of about 6 months.
I've been taking 30 mg, extended release, twice a day ever since, and it's still helping. I've gone without taking any pills for up to a week with no withdrawal symptoms, but with very noticeable symptoms returning. You're probably familiar with most of them: need for constant movement, impatience, talking a lot, going from one project to another and never quite finishing one, etc. I don't really notice it myself. It's when others ask me what's making me so happy or excited that I realize that the Adderall has been working. Only immediate family know that I take it.
I have no sleep issues. My life long pattern has been to sleep 4-5 hours and always wake-up refreshed. Sometimes I'll sleep 6 hours, but I figure that's due to my 70th birthday in a couple of months. ;-) My appetite is good, physically active (motorcycles, hiking, gardening, land clearing... I have 4 acres out in the country), and active in the community. Will I stop taking Adderall anytime soon? Not sure. The only negative that I see of not taking it is that I get really impatient with people, and prefer to stay to myself. I've told my doctor that the meds should really be given to the people who can't keep up with me, and bring them up to speed.
If you have additional questions, feel free to ask. I just joined this site so that I could respond to your question, and will have to figure out how to navigate it. LOL!
I am 60 years old I have been on Adderall 20 mg three times a day for approximately 25 years I've had no problems ,my health is remarkable. I don't believe the Adderall has caused me either to gain or lose weight. My blood pressure is good once I stopped smoking is even better. I will be taking myself off of it now because I have Raynaud's or Bruegger's disease from smoking (apparently) , but hasn't changed since I stopped smoking 8 months ago. Adderall can change your circulation so I will be discontinuing that medication, I no longer work so I don't find it necessary any longer and apparently it can also have an effect on your memory taking it and probably for as long as I did it probably has I just didn't know it was that reason. I hope this answer any of your questions.
I am 65 and have been taking Adderall for 10 years. Now my doctor said She will not refill my prescription anymore because of risk of heart attack. Adderall is the only drug that has helped me live a normal life. I have not had any problems with my heart
I took myself off of it and decided to try it and then 6 months later I decided to go back on and then my doctor only one to give me one pill she said she was worried about my heart I said that's funny because I've been on it for 20-something years and never had any problems with blood pressure or my health so that didn't work for me and I and I've been seeing this doctor for 15 years. I went and saw another doctor and she put me on the Adderall that I requested because I've never abused you know the amount I was on three a day for 25 years. If this is the doctor you've seen for quite some time and you've got good heart good blood pressure you can argue that point age or not you're healthy and you've been taking it there shouldn't be a problem.
Hi, I am 54 and was diagnosed with ADD 13 years ago. I have taken 30 mg of generic adderall (not extended release) twice a day until 3 weeks ago. Adderall gave me the ability to focus, prioritize tasks and finish tasks. I finally could work to my potential (nod to every teacher that wrote 'does not work to potential' on report cards). I also gained weight but just in the last 4 years. I attributed that to menopause - wrong. 5 years ago I noticed my legs were swelling. The swelling got worse and became painful by the end of the day. Constantly fought dehydration and gum issues from dry mouth. I was so focused I worked through lunch every day and most days would only urinate once in the afternoon.
I realized I was also using Adderall as an anti depressant. Sad and overly emotional rolled into anger. I kept it inside but felt the anger always just below the surface. I assumed it was mid life - wrong.
Lucky for me, CVS was out of my dose of generic 3 weeks ago. The next day I was taking a 9 hour road trip which I was dreading due to the painful leg swell that would result from sitting all that time. I was out of town for less than a week without pills and started feeling better. 3 weeks out and the difference is HUGE. I'm using every strategy I can to keep focus at work-diet, headphones at work, lists, reminders etc... So far I am happier, losing weight and thrilled my circulation feels better!
Yes, I'm 69 and taking Adderall. It makes me sleep on and off all day after sleeping 8 hrs at night. Slight high blood pressure but the Adderall lowers it. Go figure?? I have been diagnosed with ADD by at least 5 different doctors. It also made me gain weight. I take it to help with depression. Not sure it's helping anything.
I am 37 and have been taking adderall since I was a kid. I was told by my psychiatrist that once I hit 50 I would not be able to take it anymore. I thought that weird, but being a cardiac critical care nurse, I just assumed it was because one of the side effects of the medication is sudden cardiac death. I've been doing research on it and haven't found any guidelines on the medication stating it must be stopped at age 50. My research has lead me here and now I'm reading people are being diagnosed with ADD/ADHD well above the age of 50. I know a lot of these posts were years ago, so I'm wondering if the increase in adult ADD/ADHD diagnoses over the years has caused a regulation in the age of administration.
Hi. I'm not 60 but getting close! Please try Vyvanse. You'll be amazed. I also cannot handle adderall. Whether it's short or long acting. Not sure why.
Vyvanse is completely different and it's honestly the only ADD Drug that truly works for me. Not that I haven't built a tolerance to the maximum dosage. I certainly have.
However it's still doing something after 7 years. It's helped me so very much with concentration issues as well as with serious depression from which I had previously suffered from my entire life.
Just remember this. Any and all drugs whether for ADD or ADHD or for whatever only will work for so long. After many years on this drug taking it as prescribed I feel that while it does still help me much it's just lost a lot of its effectiveness after so many years. And most doctors aren't going to prescribe a higher than recommended dosage.
I have never seen or heard of anyone except me that cannot tolerate Adderall. I'm female too.
I have no insurance as this ridiculous Obamacare makes it impossible to have it. So I completely understand and agree with your standpoint on all that. Doesn't change a darn thing unfortunately.
So give Vyvanse a try. If you are like me and it seems you are I can almost promise you will be very happy with Vyvanse. Best of luck to you.
I am 60 years old and also started taking Adderall. XR 20mg in a.m. and 20mg in afternoon. It has made a huge positive difference in my life.
Due to Obama Care ($1600 @ month) I have been forced to find a new doctor. Today my my first visit. She is fresh out of school and told me they no longer prescribe Adderall to adults over 40 years old due to concerns with heart health. I am looking for information to see what she is basing this on. If I want to continue taking this drug, she is insisting I see a psychiatrist for evaluation.
Venting: Obama care is hurting millions of older Americans such as my self. $1600 a month for just me is not affordable by most. To add suffering to the financial impact, I am forced to change from a doctor I have seen for 20 years, to a new doctor. But no experienced doctors are taking new patients. Only new graduates and Nurse Practitioners. I feel taken advantage of and betrayed!!
I am 78 yrs old. Female 5’6” 170. I have been on Adderall for years. However, the extended type was just not something I felt comfortable taking. I know my body. After trial and error, I take 1 and 1/2 20mg tab at 7ish am. Then the same at about 1 p.m. sometimes that is enough for the day. The Rx is for an additional 20mg about 5pm. You become familiar with your body’s reaction and with time, you and your physician can arrive at dosage etc. I still have a too good appetite! My physician has been writing for 20mg four times a day... And has done so for over 5 yers..but in December 2017 my drug plan suddenly says this is over the limit! Whose limit is not clear. A clerk gets an atta boy? I am researching it and will Update!
you and your doctor
I am 64 and taking 40mg of adderall once a day my doctor wants to take me off of it Ive been taking it for 4yrs now and it has changed my life I dont know what Im going to do
I am 62 yrs old and having memory issues, ct scan ruled out dementia and alzheimers, put on alzheimers meds to help memory and it helps but causes nightmares. Any seniors out there taking adderrall for focus-memory and has it helped? Any thoughts?
I am 63 and been taking Adderall for ADHD for at least 15 years. I cannot imagine my life without it because it has helped me so much. My parents were alcoholics and mother drank when pregnant with me according to family members. I have a couple of my report cards from elementary school over 40 years ago and teacher notes said I was restless, etc. It wasn't until I had a son diagnosed & treated for ADHD that I asked my doctor about it because I had similar symptoms. When my MD retired I went to a psychiatrist for ADHD treatment. I work full time as a Registered Nurse & plan to retire in a couple of years. I am not sure if Medicare covers ADHD drugs but will find out in a few years because I hope to continue treatment as long as possible. Anyone who truly has an ADHD diagnosis should be open to trying medication as far as I am concerned. My biggest health problem is that I need to lose about 30 lbs.
Mild hypertension & elevated cholesterol and take meds for those also. Hope other senior citizens will post their experiences with ADHD & meds.
Related topics
adderall xr, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (adhd)
Further information
- Adderall XR uses and safety info
- Adderall XR prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Adderall XR (detailed)
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