I am 20 years old, and was just diagnosed with ADHD. My doctor prescribed me 20mg Adderall IR twice a day. The first few days were really good. I had a lot of energy, and was really focused. After the third day I started to feel really tired, drowsy, and irritated with everything. I'm not too sure whats going on. If this is the right medication for me, my dose is too high, or it's wearing off to soon.
What is a good Adderall starting dose?
Question posted by lexmireya on 9 Feb 2017
Last updated on 22 January 2018 by Anonymous
3 Answers
I don't know your body weight or enough details regarding exactly why you started taking the medication but I started at 20 mg daily but noticed it wasn't effective long enough. Now my Dr increased my dosage to 30 mg daily. I break it in half and take 15mg in the am and 15 mg atound 3pm and it helps me the entire day.
lexmireya; Really the doses are all over the place with this medication, And you want to make sure you don't end up using it like Steve has said. But your best bet is to check back with your doctor after a few days and in the meantime write down all the things you are noticing as far as the bonus, vs Side effects. Then talk with the doctor again and let the doctor know just how it is really working for you and see if an adjustment in dose may be a benefit to you because people with this condition are adjusted to doses that work the best for you.
Thank you for responding! I have been keeping a journal of everything that I've been experiencing. I called my doctor, and went in. She wrote me a prescription for 15mg XR. Hopefully that helps!!
Amphetamines are good at focusing the mind of a pickled cabbage. You sound exactly like someone who is feeling out of sorts after taking inappropriate amounts of amphetamines. ADHD is, in my opinion an overused and abused diagnosis. Do you realise how many people, just here, take that poison to be alert during the day, helps them focus when they are bored with studying and then take tranquilisers at night? I am becoming disgusted.
Appropriately used, people settle down and sleep at night and don't get cranky from excessive recreational type drug use.
Hi Stephen...
I agree he is on a high dose with symptoms to verify it. 10 mg to start and see how the person responds. However it's a every 4-6 hour med so maybe 5mg for the second dose and late afternoon but definitely no later than 5-6pm.
One exception...
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome!
I read it can be used up to 100mg/day!
I take 30mg as soon as I open my eyes. I have such bad morning brain fog that I go back to sleep! After 30mg.
I then awake a few hours later with a clearer head and greater chance of getting up during the day.
12pm and I take 20mg to get to the evening.
I take 10mg no later than 6pm to get me through the evening and to be social when my family comes home. If I don't take that dose I turn into a potted plant. Lol
:-)
Related topics
adderall, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (adhd), dosage, doctor, prescription, energy, diagnosis
Further information
- Adderall uses and safety info
- Adderall prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Adderall (detailed)
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