I got mine filled on the 18th of this month from Walmart. It's horrible! I am not convinced that it is even close to being a replacement for the name brand Adderall. I can't stay awake, feel cranky/moody, headaches that won't go away, shaky, I can't find barely anything on the internet about this medicine either.. Its a white stop sign shaped pill marked m in a box on one side and a 20 on the other.. Anyone else have any issues??
Has anyone else received a new 20mg generic Adderall from Mallinckrodt lately?
- Asked
- 23 Mar 2014 by lalaland22
- Updated
- 18 August 2021
- Topics
- adderall, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (adhd), generic, walmart, brand
88 Answers
wutzherface16
29 Mar 2014
I just got this from my Rite Aid a few days ago and I completely agree with you - it is terrible. It definitely doesn't do its job like the brand name AND it makes me feel like garbage on top if it. I get headaches, makes my heart race a bit, I feel cranky/moody as well with a twinge of anxiety. I thought it may have been because I just increased from 10mg to 15mg, but I tried one and a half of the 10 mg that I had left over and it's definitely the Mallinckbrodt generic. I have no idea how this even got past the FDA as an alternative.
lalaland22
29 Mar 2014
I donT' know how in the hell it got fda approved as a generic either.. I think it's because of the shortage of adderall and so they just slapped a bunch of crap together and stamped it with some markings and sent it out to pharmacies for when they dont have them in stock! I would rather stick to having to go to 10 pharmacies to be able to find it, there's no way that doctors don't know that there is a shortage going on! every year since I can remember they start having shortage issues but it is usually later on in the year, its only march.. Grrrrr!! And it cost me $4 more then the usual generic ones I get.. I HATE MALLINCKRODT generic adderall!! I have the EXACT same side effects as you said.. I yiyi!!
delphic
18 Nov 2014
I agree!
It absolutely does not work a single bit.
horrible horrible horrible. I filled out a report on the fda site medwatch.com but no news on this. mallinckrodt's generic concerta was found by fda to be garbage. please report bad mallinckrodt to FDA.
snrn
5 Mar 2015
I agree. I was taking the Teva brand and it's been discontinued. I was given another one and it is definitely inferior. I will look online and see if I can get the other one overseas.
DORYTHEFISH
14 May 2017
Yup. my regular pharmacy of 15 years suddenly switched.generics on me in 2015.. Agree with every complaint on here..Good thing I wasn't employed at the time. I get the overall reasons why this happened and really its the DEA's fault but still a sociopathic thing to do.
AntMan3Wheels
3 Dec 2017
I been having this problem as well since the pink Cor135 20mg Tabcor have been gone. I Suffer from ADD not ADHA. With anything other than the Tabcor's I can't function. The only adderalls I can find on Long Island NY is the Sandoz round orange and another company with oval orange and both cause me to lay down an sleep. I can barely hold myself up while standing because my legs are weak. I drive up and down the coast and sometimes with my 8 year old son, I'm terrified. I have saved 20 of the Cor135's just to drive with, they won't last forever.
Start to read about adderall again they rarely mention ADD, its always ADHD now. Some generic's cater to the ADHD and that's a dangerous game their playing with the ADD advocates like myself. Having to pull off to sleep four hours, two separate times on the same 12 hour 800 mile trip was a Red flagged me. I must know where to find something similar to the COR135 my life and family depend on it.
jenmati
11 Apr 2014
I am having the same exact issues-- with really painful heart burn and stomach aches as well. I rarely have stomach aches/heartburn so I'm assuming it's due to this horrid generic adderall :(
lalaland22
12 Apr 2014
That's weird BC I was having some weird stomach issue when I did take it also.. I explained it to my boyfriend saying that I felt like I had rocks in my stomach.. I know that's a odd way to describe something like that but I've never my stomach feel that way
catb69
30 May 2014
It feels like I'm having terrible chest pain so I took pepcid to rule out heartburn, and sure enough that does the trick. I'm finding myself taking a quarter of my sleeping med to control the anxiety! Not worth it! I have been in Adderall for years and never had these issues! Now I know to check What manufacturer they use first!
genesis33
21 Dec 2014
I thought my friend was losing her mind and tried convincing her she had probably just built an immunity but since the past 2 or 3 months , I too notice that headaches (never had) isolation, can sleep right after taking and always fatigued. Can eat after I just taken . I been on adderall (generic) peach pills about 6 yrs and until the past few months , I become more and more than certain that this is not an immunity issue. I have constant fatigue heartburn and headaches. Where (if possible) can I find the laws or when the change in ingredients have changed? I don't know but think they do not inform us so maybe I'm out of luck. Any help or answers will help. I get my script at CVS
THANK
genesis33
21 Dec 2014
I forgot to add I too have a lot of stomach issues also and just everyone I asked who is prescribed generic from cvs is convinced we were not informed and that there is different ingredients now making this not only lesson effectiveness or work the same and and also worse side affects. I heard inactive ingredients DO in many cases change how the drug works and fda is not required to let us know
chloe3878
28 Apr 2015
I live in Philadelphia and I cannot get any generic adderal anywhere. Wal mart said they will order it but it will take two weeks. After 2 weeks I went back and they said it was on back order,come back in two weeks. What baffles me is why the doctors even bother to give you a prescription for it when they must know you can't get it. If I can wait for a month or longer than why bother. Does anyone know of an alternative
jenniferdiersing
29 May 2015
I hate it too... Been nauseated and stomach upset. Causing depression and crying spells... It just makes me feel BAD ..Ive been Adderall for many years a and this brand is unacceptable. Never again.
Staniulis
17 Jun 2016
I would contact your MD, the pharmacy and the company. They should report adverse side effects.
AntMan3Wheels
3 Dec 2017
I spent a week in the hospital for heartburn. Never once from my generic Adderall but from the real XR destroyed me for life.
andi555
1 May 2014
They r terrible I agree whn I was on adderall I got it once I suffered an entire mnth.
Garbo36
10 May 2014
I was taking Barr generic Adderall IR, but Wal-Mart has switched over to Mallinckrodt generic Adderall IR. Mallinckrodt is ineffective! I can't seem to focus on anything for very long, and I seem to take forever to do things, because I don't know where half the day goes. I just called three pharmacies and they can't request a particular generic brand or Adderall. I also had terrible results with Core pink pills several years ago. Is Dexedrine available? If so, which generic brands seem to be effective?
lalaland22
10 May 2014
I had no problems when they gave me the pink Corr ones they actually work better on me but I have to talked to a couple people about those and I think in my opinion they work better for people that have ADHD and they don't work so well with people with the non hyper type of ADD. at least I know now never ever go to the walmart pharmacy to fill generic adderall ever again lesson learned the hard way :-/
lalaland22
10 May 2014
I almost forgot I had a friend tell me that they have made the generic white adderall from Walmart to just have placebo effect!
kat1682
3 Jun 2014
I got mine filled almost a month ago. I have had an awful month!! The pharmacy changed to this crap after they've always had Barr. This medicine is CRAP!! It does not work! I have been grumpy, terrible temper, tired, cranky, sleepy, to name a few! I realized this immediately after taking it and I cannot wait to get a refill of something that actually works in the next few days. I might have to go shop pharmacies but it will be worth it. Stay away from this useless medication. I feel like napping and I just took it for the 3rd time today! That's 60 mg and I want to nap and bite someone's head off! Shame on you Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals!
jenniferdiersing
29 May 2015
Same here
Ihategenerics
30 Jan 2018
This Mallinckrodt generic is useless!! My doctor just upped me to 30mg from 20mg and the 20mg were 100× stronger. Of course the 20's were different generic. What a waste. I just called doctor. I'm hoping he can switch my mg back to 20mg since my pharmacy says they can't get the 30's in that brand. Such lies!!! Of course they can. They are more money. Hence, why they work better!!! Unreal! Don't ever let a pharmacist BS about all that fda approval nonsense and all generics are the same. If that were the case, then why does my thyroid dr insist on me taking the brand and NEVER A GENERIC??? well I asked her. She said "the brand is more effective" #ihategenerics #genericsarefakereplicas #justlikeafakedesignerbag ... just think-if it wasn't for these fake replica companies, the brand's would have to be used. Replicas should be illegal!! #pissed
Anxietyforever888
3 Oct 2020
Please do not put up with this!! Stop using these pharmacies! They do not deserve your business! I drive 30 minutes to get to Walgreens. 1 hr round trip.
kat1682
3 Jun 2014
I got mine filled almost a month ago. I have had an awful month!! The pharmacy changed to this crap after they've always had Barr. This medicine is CRAP!! It does not work! I have been grumpy, terrible temper, tired, cranky, sleepy, to name a few! I realized this immediately after taking it and I cannot wait to get a refill of something that actually works in the next few days. I might have to go shop pharmacies but it will be worth it. Stay away from this useless medication. I feel like napping and I just took it for the 3rd time today! That's 60 mg and I want to nap and bite someone's head off! Shame on you Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals!
https://www.drugs.com/answers/anyone-received-new-20mg-generic-adderall-994332.html
Novemberleigh
13 Sep 2014
All of the pharmacies in my area are using Malingcrodft brand now. SAMs, Costco, target,rite aid, and some walgreens , and Kroger. You don't have to suffer through them they are really bad. Call your Doctor, they will have you bring in your remaining script and will rewrite for brand but it's expensive. Only thing I could do though. I was mean, irritable, and sick. I thought I was dying, seriously thought I had cancer or some horrible illness until I realized that if I DIDNT take the med that day I actually felt BETTER. No excuse for this to have EVER been allowed to be passed off as an ADD med. No one cares though , because it's just ADD and we are all just trying to get high off our meds not handle life and organize our thoughts right?? FYI- right now in my area the only pharmacy that carries generic and is barr brand is walgreens. That's it.
Everyone else has the white Malencrodft because the pharmacist told me they get a huge discount for buying this in bulk and it's really cheap. YES , the pharmacist at SAMs told me this so , there ya go folks. Good luck with that, I don't think it's getting any easier to find a med that will work. I am sick and tired of being treated like a drug seeker. I'm just plain tired of trying to deal and make everyone think I have it together, and then I remember if I don't take my meds I forget to pick one of the kids up from school or I'm distracted in a store by shiny pretty things and don't realize someone needs to be at soccer or ballet. I am late everywhere I go even on the meds and I honestly just feel so defeated most of the time.
jenniferdiersing
29 May 2015
That is crazy! I kept thinking I had cancer the other day after I started on these.. Thanks I know it's not just me.
MDBotts
9 Apr 2016
I'm a Walgreens girl. Walgreens has now gone to Mallinckrodt : (
Lynne raven
17 Jul 2014
Usually get Adderall 30mgs at Sams Club. They were out so I resorted to Walmart. Took one pill this morning, & feel ABSOUTELY nothing! Don't know if I'm irked because of ineffective results, or if it's a consequence of the pill! So glad to find your comments, since I thought, of course, it's just me! I'll see with a week or so, what ensues...
innocentlycrazy
12 Feb 2015
Ws wondering what brand do you get from Sam's usually? I haven't tried Sam's yet bc I'm scared to get some crappie generic! As I said I did get the white M 30s from Walmart and they were awful but when I got them from Walmart again I received the Barr Teva brand MUCH MUCH BETTER! Corepharm from CVS weren't bad but so far Teva has worked for me, however during the switch from the MallinCrodkt brand to the Teva brand was awful I was exhausted bc the M brand had me on anew awful speed crazy panic anxiety, rage mode so when I switched to Teva I guess bc they are so different I was sleepy after taking them for a few days but they are working great no more crap side effects and MOST OF ALL I CAN CONCENTRATE without my mind being ALL scattered!
Liinndsayyyy
14 Dec 2018
Omg I just got mine for the first time yesterday so far I had a horrible headache last night and after reading all these comments I’m realizing I’ll be screwed this month I also take vyvanse in the morning and a 20 of dextro in the afternoon , so I couldn’t tell the ineffectiveness too much with the vyvanse but I’m noticing now that I’m not getting the extra breakthrough afternoon help that I’m used to feeling with my afternoon dose of adderall ! So basically I’m screwed for the month , I’m taking more vyvanse now to avoid taking this crap so I’ll be out of my vyvanse and left with these crappy pills for a large portion of this month I just got these things from rite aid is there ANYTHING I CAN DO ? like I know I can’t return them obviously but has anyone not waited and just stuck it out the whole month can we call our physician and notify them and is there anything the doc can do maybe like write a new script or something ?
Cynnie 1031
14 Jan 2020
cant you call the pharmacy before you fill them and ask them what brand of Adderall they have that month
kat1682
4 Aug 2014
I did it again!! I told my pharmacy, I do NOT want the generic that is white and for some reason I thought the manufacturer started with a "W" not an "M" for Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals. They switched from Barr to Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals and I didn't realize it until I got home. I got this crap again. It does not work. I had my doctor write my new script and he checked the "Do not substitute" box so now for my suffering, my insurance can cover the $600 cost for brand name.
delphic
18 Nov 2014
what is brand name?? i thought they were all generic now :(
is there an authorized generic for adderall IR?
Mallinckrodt is HORRIBLE.
Faye_Kane
31 Jan 2016
> is there an authorized generic
There is no such thing as an "authorized generic." What gets authorized is the original name brand, authorized by the FDA when it first comes out.
Ju5tinJame5
13 Aug 2014
Mallinckrodt 30mg adderall. Worst 3 weeks of recent memory. This generic is so far away from being bio-equivalent to any other generic I have tried. I've had
Barr, CorePharma, and until recently Sandoz.
Costco, in the Midwest at least, switched their preferred from Sandoz to Mallinckrodt. I filled a complaint with the FDA and would encourage anyone else experiencing problems with this knock off to do the same.
Good luck.
finley
4 Sep 2014
Where can I file a complaint?
Bubbalee
30 Sep 2014
I am having the same experience with these 20 mg white adderall. I saw that you said you had filed a complaint with the FDA. Is there any chance you could post the link for me and others to do the same. I actually lost my job this past week bc I couldn't stay on task and finish anything. It's been a nightmare!
leeloo927
27 Oct 2014
Ugh! I totally agree with the fact Mallickinrodt is the worst brand EVER! Not to mention the fact I went to 30 places trying to find any brand of my 20mg adderall period. A small pharmacy is supposed to order some for me this week they said they usually get Sandoz. I'm at their mercy so I hope it works as well as my Barr brand. How miserable it is just to feel normal. I'm in central Florida, by the way. Good Luck all.
Benicio12
3 Nov 2014
Same problem here! I thought they must have mixed my rx as the generic 20 mg amphetamine salts have always been pink or orange. THESE do not help! I am yawning and can't focus it's awful. My doc is on vacay and I don't know what I'm going to do. First time ever filling at Walmart and I will call around with next RX!
I would like to file a complaint as I paid cash and they don't work!!!
nyx123
6 Nov 2014
I agree! Manufacturer is Mallinckrodt. I filed a complaint on FDA website... Multiple posts on multiple forums complaining about this generic brand!
Benicio12
9 Nov 2014
How can I file a complaint as well?
jdivin
15 Nov 2014
It is hard for me to believe it is Adderall. I have been on this med since 2006. I usually get generic 20mg, peach or orange ovals by Teva or Barr. When I took the Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals Adderall it was horrible. It literally sedated me, made me nauseous. I tried it for about 5 days and I just couldn't. take it and called my pharmacist and he replaced it with the Barr Laboratory generic. The Mallinckrodt is like taking poison .This stuff is not even close to what I expect, definitely not therapeutic . I only had one other reaction to Adderall and it was years ago. New Dr. wanted to try me on the extended release and I said sure. After 5 weeks I told her I just can't take it anymore. I would wake up and take my meds and within a hour I would be in a knocked out, drooling sleep for about 4 hours. They explained it as “a unexpected adverse side effect” I don't understand how they are even allowed to give this to people.
mtcohen
21 Nov 2014
I take adderall for MS bc of extreme fatigue & i have ADD. I take 30mg & my pharmacist switched to that manufacturer & I didnt feel any different not to mention they would crumble easily. I went back aftr 2 days & told him i wanted my pink ones that work the best for me! He says its a mental thing but i knew other ppl that got those & i think they r mainly fillers bc they r cheap for pharm to order in lrg quantities!
Youcan123
26 Nov 2014
Had the same problem as everyone above. Glad to see I wasn't the only one! Got this at Target and it's been terrible! Is it a placebo? I can take one and take a nap right after. Hoping to call around this time... we all know how fun that is... I had problems figuring out if I took a dose because it didn't do anything! What a waste.
KV70
3 Dec 2014
YES!!! Me too! I thought it was just me. I have been on Adderall 20 MG - Generic (pink round pills). Unfortunately I no longer had medical insurance. I switched to Vyvanse and that was an absolute JOKE.. I ended my relationship with Vyvanse on the highest dosage at 70MG and to no avail. VERY disappointing.
I asked my doctor if I could try Adderall at the same MG. It worked very well and I was not crashing. It does take some time to adjust to the right dosage.
So... here I have my prescription in my hand and use another pharmacy - WALMART. I noticed the pills were different. As mentioned above, small stop sign shaped white pills. OK - I say to myself maybe its because I"m using a different pharmacy. I used to have my Adderall (Generic) filled by Target Pharmacy. I decided to go to Walmart because it is less expensive and I am paying out of my pocket.
I take my first "stop sign white Adderall, generic, 20 MG pill" and GUESS WHAT??? Nothing happens!!! I wait for my other dose in the afternoon AND NOTHING HAPPENS AGAIN... I panicked and thought - "Do I have a high tolerance to Adderall'? NO - I do not. I was doing much better with my "PINK LITTLE PILLS".
Took me a couple of hours to figure out and read other patients also having issues regarding the Manufacturers. Who knew??? I would have never thought of that one. I now see why Vyvanse was not working for the same reasons. The Adderall I had purchased form Walmart is manufactured
by MALLINKRODT. The reviews from patients purchasing Adderall from Walmart and using the manufacturer - MALLINKRODT is extremely poor and the results are a laughing F****ing joke. I am sure my doctor will not believe this one and I'm out $90.00 for meds that do not work.
A lesson for me to learn. I will go back to Target and use the Manufacturer- who by the way is - COREPHARMA. I had absolutely no idea this would be an issue and started to worry that perhaps I was making this all up in my mind. It infuriates me to know that these medications (at times) work differently depending on the Manufacturer. I have never had an issue with my other anti-depressants or sleeping meds however regarding meds for ADHD and ADD has been a big issue. - Disgusting to know that Pharmaceutical Companies know that using different Manufacturers will result in possibly using different components to these meds. We are all being fooled. I can only speak from my own experience and I am being truthful to my story. For patients using these particular meds - there are too many who have the same complaint.
I think it would be to our advantage to contact the FDA.
nobodyreally
7 Feb 2015
Check yourself for dehydration, watch out for sodas and the like, never have any complaints with this brand, personally, and am very satisfied.
Absolutely Not!! Mallinckrodt is the best brand ever!!!
I have been on ADHD medicine for many years now, and on a lot of different type, but adderall works the best for me. The problem, that I knew without a doubt after the 1st month of Mallinckrodt, was whatever the other manufacturers of generic adderall were doing in their processing had extreme anxiety side effects. I got screwed last month because of the "cough cough" shortages periodic cycle reaching local pharmacists and had to settle for new Core Pharm type, which I don't think I have ever tried knowingly.
The previous school's pharmacy never really notified me of the maker that they would just dole out whenever and I often hoped that the transition didn't fall on a Tuesday or Wednesday; the generic differences were extremely noticeable. Mallinckrodt allows me to focus, feel energetic enough to get things done (especially now that I'm having some lower back problems making it difficult to sit/stand still for more than 10 minutes without squirming/writhing in pain [from a whiplash incident likely; not ADHD med related]), but most importantly feel mellowed out and chill enough to walk into social situations without feeling that I look/felt bugged out from other manufacturers generic fails.
I am SOO thankful for Mallinckrodt.
The best thing to do sometimes when being forced to switch brands is to take a short drug vacation to sort of refresh the body of its memory association with the meds you had built up a tolerance. Not much maybe one half of a day, whole day. On a weekend helps. I don't have a clue what makes each generic brand so different but wish I knew how this brand has helped me tremendously this past year. Stick with 'em, rest when you need to, eat like you should. A lot of times the issue may be in your diet or some unknown physiological struggle you may need to be more aware.
I did dislike that they crumbled to pieces when broken in qtrs, as i became accustomed to having to break a whole one from the other brands' side effects and general feelings of well-being/focus/concentration at the time of dosing. It may be in the coating, because this company's adderall seems to work best when taken in whole and not broken down.
Main thing to know is to "eat SOMETHING" after taking a dose. Something that is not too acidic or too alkali/basic like a bunch of yogurt. {Though I love yogurt} To ensure you get an even absorption range.
I will be so much better off when the next month refill rolls around and I am able to get back to my Brand! Instead of this weird dry-mouth, dry eyes, general weird feeling of Core Phar and those other poor QC/QA guys.
jdivin
7 Feb 2015
Have you ever had Teva or Barrs adderall? Core Pharma is awful too. I was curious because I personally have never heard anyone say they like Mallinckrodt Adderall...
Bella_nyc1
8 Sep 2015
I agree. Mallinckrodt is a much better generic brand for Adderall. It gives me less side effects. The Barr/Teva gives me rashes, hives, and anxiety.
Also, take a look at the ingredients in Barr/Teva and compare to the ingredients in Mallinckrodt. Barr/Teva has too many inactive ingredients with higher chances of side effects and allergies.
Mike_is_right
16 Apr 2018
@nobodyreally:
If you like the Mallinkrodt because you don't get the side effects you get from the other generics, then YOU DO NOT HAVE ADD OR ADHD.
Plain and simple.
That's one of the most arguable points that prove ADD and ADHD. We are affected by stimulants differently than everyone else. The side effects you mentioned (that you don't get on the Mallinkrodt) do not happen in people with ADD & ADHD. If they do happen to you, you shouldn't be taking them. Those who actually do have ADD/ADHD get zero symptom relief from the Mallinkrodt generic.
So it's like saying you have a headache that tylenol, advil, or aleve don't help, but that it goes away when you put a bandaid on your kneecap. Because you didn't have a headache. You skinned your knee.
innocentlycrazy
12 Feb 2015
Yes I have gotten them from Walmart but they were the 30mg and they are AWFUL! I couldn't concentrate it made me worse with extreme anxiety and agitation. I thought it was bc I was just pmsing really bad but I had a couple left from the month before and took them and it's a huge difference I was back to my norm. However I took the shot brand again and it just had me soo beyond irritable and I feel so bad for my kids and roommate who had to put up with me! I usually go to CVS but bc of shortage issues I've had to resort to another pharmacy lately. Fml however when I went back they actually filled it with a different generic by Teva much much better than the Mallincrodt shot for sure. I was told that we can actually request a specific brand in which they can order and it also says it on many pharmaceutical websites.
I think I will be trying that soon and will be sure to ask what generic brand they have before filling bc it was actually the same Walmart. I was a bit confused but will never take that Mallincrodt crappie again! Talk about rage ,agitation, anxiety, and heart racing and completely feel AWFUL! GOODLUCK
Further Information
- Adderall uses and safety info
- Adderall information for Healthcare Professionals (includes dosage details)
- Side effects of Adderall (detailed)
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