Mallinckrodt Adderall vs. Teva/Barr Adderall (30 mg)?
Question posted by thetooshay on 12 Nov 2018
Last updated on 18 February 2025
Does anyone else feel that adderall by Mallinckrodt is like taking a sugar pill? I don't feel anything but except tired unfocussed and cloudy. I do not think that this brand contains the same ingredients as my usual brand. Is anyone else experiencing this and know what I can do or if my doctor will write me a new script?
I've been taking 30mg instant release adderall for years by the manufacturer Teva. They're orange and oval shaped. On 11/9/2018, I took my prescription to three different pharmacies and all had NONE in stock. I finally found one with adderall in stock but was informed that it is a different manufacturer. She told me it possesses the same ingredients and has the same effects but IT IS NOT. I received adderall from the manufacturer MALLINCKRODT and it is white and shaped like an octagon. I do not feel anything.
The information on this page reflects personal experiences shared by our community members. It is not reviewed for medical accuracy and should not replace professional medical advice.
53 Answers Page 4
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Bellemaz
15 Jan 2019
YES! I always get the Teva Ｂrand (oval orange shaped) however this month my pharmacy didn’t have any in stock for days. Not any brand at all so I had to wait for a shipment. I got those octagon nightmares. I am prescribed 20mg 3x daily. I can not feel anything unless I take 2 at a time. I’m going to talk to my doctor because now I’m going to be short for the month. there is no possible way that these pills contain the same active ingredients. There’s just no way. I saw a post that was dated back to 2014 regarding this very issue in which I believe there was some sort of confrontation with the manufacturer regarding the authenticity of these pills. I’ll see if I can find it again to post.
Votes: +2
OR
OrlandoFLTunaMan
22 Jan 2019
I have to say that the best brand for me has been Aurobindo. I get 30mg 2 times daily and usually only take one a day some days and a half of one more if I have a huge workload. I have gotten Teva 30mg they are ok and seem to last half as long as Aurobindo and I have been stiffed by Mallinckrodt one time. I instantly had stomach pain, I got all jittery and confused. I though I was coming down with flu but after 2nd dose it was a repeat. Total garbage medication.
So, what I have to do is either get lucky to have a pharmacy let me know over the phone what brand they have in stock or drive to every CVS in Central Florida until I find one that even carries 30mg. For some reason a lot do not even carry 30s. The ones that do, I make sure before I even leave my prescription there is ask what manufacturer. I have 1 CVS that always has Aurobindo as long as it is at the first of the month or they get sold out by mid month.
Last refill they only had 54 left so I had to forfeit the other 6 which is fine with me as a month supply lasts me a lot longer during the slower months of the year. Teva I remember taking 30 at 5 a.m. then having to take 30 around 11 a.m. and then sometimes another 30 at 3 p.m. I would come home, eat, shower and fall asleep. If I took that much Aurobindo, sleep would not be an option. 45 mg a day I can barely fall asleep after doing the same routine.
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limpingpony
11 Jan 2019
Can't find any at all here in Florida. My Walgreen's says they've been out of 20mg for a month. Trying to switch to another size. Other pharmacies also seem to be out. I hope it's not the trade issues with China that's causing this.
Votes: +0
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limpingpony
11 Jan 2019
Cancel that. Went to my regular store today, and back in stock. Haven't picked up, but the web site says its the usual Teva which have always worked well for me. So, all is well, and I guess they were just waiting for the truck. Also, I believe that pharmacists are rightly suspicious of everyone getting adderall because it is often misused. They always say they will see if it is in stock while they size you up and check their records. If you're not a regular customer, your chances are slim. I try always to go to the same pharmacy and have a reputable psychiatrist with a well known clinic. Almost never wait for it to be filled while tapping nervously. And insurance pays. I hope I do not one day find myself without those advantages,
MY
MysteriousMarissa
10 Jan 2019
Rodger that! On January 9, 2019 I picked up my regular monthly prescription of generic Adderall 30MG at my local CVS and found it to be Mallinckrodt.
I’ve never had (what feels like) an underhanded switch up like this. I have taken the orange ones (TEVA or by AUROBINDO) for over 3 years and have experienced zero to no side effects.
I am also currently experiencing a headache with this new manufacturer.
I don’t have expert experience with headaches or migraines, but this is what I believe to be experiencing. I dont take Tylenol or any over the counter pain relieving drugs either.
I just took my second pill (earlier than my normal 4 hours apart / or as needed) and it seemed to help the side effect go astray for now.
Best of luck to you all and next time I will have my doctor write a note on my prescriptions about what manufacturers are acceptable. I will also do my research on other pharmacies near me and call them to make sure they can fill what I would need that day.
Votes: +4
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Jlrappa
10 Jan 2019
Oh no! Feel better!! Those fake adderall pills made by Mallinckodt gave me horrible stomach pain and terrible headaches! I too took them at earlier intervals because they werent working. They made me sleepy, irritable and I could not focus. My body hurt and I felt like I had the flu. Also, if you keep them in the pill bottle and carry it around with you they break up and turn to POWDER! Strange. What is in this stuff?? I saved a couple extra pills (just in case for testing) & I reported them to the FDA and to the company directly. The more people that report bad side effects the better chance we have to get this garbage off shelves. I suffered for months before realizing what it was. Thank goodness Im back on Teva.
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Bettertogether4never
24 Jan 2021
Can i ask what the conclusion u got back from the company and FDA was
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rtvb24
1 Jan 2019
When I filled my Med last month I was given a generic made my Epic Pharma. I have never felt so bad in my life. I have only been on adderall for 4 months and finally thought I was getting my life back. Well, these pink pills I was given this month have made me irritable, sleepy, bloated, and so sick I have literally almost threw up. I have done some research and found out that my local Ingles only uses Teva generic and does not switch every month like CVS seems to be doing. I am scared to try any other brand other than that one because I know it worked for me and I truly can’t live another month like this one. I feel like a lot of these generics need to just be taken off the market. I’ve used generic drugs all my life and I’ve never had any reaction like this. I’m going to ask my Dr if she can put that only Teva can be used as a substitute. Idk if they. An do that but I really hope she can.
Votes: +3
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Tess21
5 June 2020
stick with Smaller Pharmacies or Walgreens is also Great
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john32q
14 May 2021
Dude going through the same thing same brand. I’m at a total loss this has happened before but never ever this bad. I can’t eat sleep barely can even move my body without yelling or feeling so nauseous I want to puke all over myself..these are poison not adderall and I’m straight angry u have to suffer like this. I’m glad I seeen your comment wow! explaining everything I have to a T. I need my freaking teva back gahh this garbage don’t work plain and simple..
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rguidry73
28 Dec 2018
My pharmacy filled my last prescription with the Mallinckrodt brand and I didn’t think anything because medicines change from time to time. I have had headaches and no energy whatsoever just felt under the weather. It took me about a week and a half to figure it out but this is the only med I am on that has changed. I will always make sure I am never given this brand again. Its bad enough I suffer from depression and my doctor and I had finally found the right combination and I felt great then this happens. My opinion is that this should be taken off the market. I am not sure what is in it but it is nothing like the Teva brand at all.
Votes: +7
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Luckycharms
17 Sep 2019
Ok, here's my 2 cents worth, 3 years taking generic Adderall. Teva has always been a consistently good quality med. Last month I wound up with the Aurobindo Adderall. In my opinion it's garbage. Just a word of caution, make sure whatever generic works for you, that you check your med BEFORE paying, at the very least at the counter with the person giving you your meds right in front of you. If you pay and leave and they are not what you thought, it's close to impossible to do anything about it. It's actually pretty sad, for those of us that are not abusing our meds, sharing them, or selling them, we are still looked at with a questioning eye. Meanwhile, Marijuana which is so very abused and misused they are trying hard to legalize. Go figure.
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Sweights20
13 Dec 2018
I have been Taking Generic Adderall for about 4 years Now. I will tell you for a fact that there is a Difference between Manufactures. I Currently take 30mg Twice a day. I have tried Aurabindo, Sun Pharma, Mylan, Cor Pharma and Teva. I use Super 1 and they always let me Request the brand that I want to try. After the Trial and Era period, I came to this definite Conclusion. While all these Pills are supposed to be the same, they are most definitely not!!! Cor Pharma ( Round Pink) is ok, Aurabindo (Larger Round Orange), Sun Pharma ( Round Yellow), Mylan ( Small Round Orange ) Are Awful! I Personally didn't get any Benefit from those 3, except for some bad side effects! Teva ( Football Shape Orange b974 ) is the one that works Great! I feel like I can concentrate, be productive, not wonder off and have an all around great feeling. With all that in mind, Medications work different in some people. Someone else's experience might be completely different than mine.
Your Pharmacy can order any Manufacture you request, If they are available. Also, if they wish to take the time to do so. I hope this information and my experience helps with someone trying to find the correct medication.
Votes: +7
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Jlrappa
16 Nov 2018
Same here! All of a sudden my pharmacy gave me the Mallinckrodt and not the usual orange pills. They suck! Soo, Next time around went to fill my monthly script and what do ya know, same white pills! I switched to a different pharmacy following month and again Mallinckrodt !!! W. T. F. Is happening here?? Where are my orange pills? So, I end up taking 2 30mg pills at same time and that seems to help but then Im sick! Like nauseous sick. Never had this happen to me in over 10 years. Switching again to new pharmacy, hopefully its not Mallinckrodt...
Votes: +5
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thetooshay
17 Nov 2018
You can specify what manufacturer you want!!
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leslieday1
18 Nov 2018
I have found the Teva generic to be better - though not ideal - and have to call around before filling my script to make sure the ones in the past that make me feel horrible.
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Jlrappa
14 Dec 2018
The pharmacist can only give me what they have available. Ugh! So frustrating. Mallinckrodt should NOT MAKE THESE PILLS AVAILABLE ANYMORE! They make me physically ill. Who knows what is actually in them? I did report my experience with the FDA.
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rguidry73
28 Dec 2018
I completely agree!
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ShellM
25 Jan 2019
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Kelli Shersty
21 May 2020
Teva was bought out a few years ago. They finished dispensing what they had left and now its a new manufacturer. No more Teva
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pastornack
29 June 2021
Because I've been through this before . . . .
My suggestion or I've learnt
TO MAKE SURE THE PHARMACIST "KNOWS EXACTLY WHAT YOU ** WANT **
And ALWAYS ask if they have EXACTLY what you want on the shelf !!
DO NOT settle for what they may SUGGEST !! ✌
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pastornack
29 June 2021
Because I've been through this before . . . .
My suggestion or I've learnt
TO MAKE SURE THE PHARMACIST "KNOWS EXACTLY WHAT YOU ** WANT **
And ALWAYS ask if they have EXACTLY what you want on the shelf !!
I recently tried Adderall generic by Teva. It is orange, oval with 973 b on one side and 20 on the other. I felt absolutely nothing. I was prescribed 20 mg twice a day. Because the meds had no effect whatsoever I tried 40 and then 60 mgs. Nothing. I went back to the prescribed dosage and will discuss this ineffective medicine with my doctor. I wonder what is going on?
Votes: +1
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leslieday1
16 Nov 2018
I have been taking Teva generic Adderall for awhile - 20 mg twice a day. Just got a new script and it does feel weaker but even worse it seems to be giving me terrible bloating and diarrhea. If anyone knows if there has been a change in recipe or is experiencing anything similar I would like to know.
It is always so hard to figure out whether there has been a change in the medicine or if what I am feeling is due to something else. Thanks
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MargoA
17 Nov 2018
Hi Rainstars, I have been experiencing same issue with this brand was taking them for years n last few months they have made me a mental nightmare and my pharmacy thinks I’m crazy but they used to b super orange n now faded to white, honestly they have been putting me to sleep
I have always received the Teva brand and it has always been effective. Changed my life for the better. I no longer have to make lists of things to do and in what order. However, my last script was the Mallinckrokt brand and immediately I experienced bloating and diarrhea, headaches and cloudy thinking. It's almost as if they substituted the active ingredient with caffeine. I filed a report with the FDA and have informed my pharmacist and doctor of the side effects I have experienced. I will update on what I find out!
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Bettertogether4never
24 Jan 2021
It seems like these companies are have been doing this for many years now but by far they have gotten to the worst point now. And no seems to have any conclusion conducting an investigation
