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Adderall XR User Reviews & Ratings

Adderall XR has an average rating of 7.9 out of 10 from a total of 214 reviews on Drugs.com. 74% of reviewers reported a positive experience, while 11% reported a negative experience.

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ADHD  
7.9
214 reviews for ADHD 44 medications
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Reviews for Adderall XR

  • Vanil...
  • February 21, 2019

For ADHD "I have ADD and chronic fatigue. I had issues with not being able to focus, total attention deficit, anxiety, zero motivation, sleeping all the time, forgetting to use planner, messy house, no organization. Imagine being stuck inside the deepest fog within yourself and not being able to see clearly. I hated the way I felt. Enter Adderall... started out on 10mg XR adjusted to 30mg XR. Side effects: mild headache at back of head, weight loss and thirst. Headache went away, fog dissipated, as well as the fatigue, messy house, anxiety and attention disorder. I am able to focus, I tackle one thing at a time, I can prioritize, I can get up in the morning and not dread the day ahead of me. I smile a little more, laugh a little more, procrastinate less. I am able to give my children more of the attention they deserve. Adderall for me is not a cure-all or a wonder drug but it held my hand and pulled me from the thickest cloud of fog when nothing else could, and for that I am thankful."

8 / 10
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  • Theop...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • March 18, 2020

For ADHD "Adderall is very useful, but recently I was ignorant and thought it would be okay to take a little extra at night to help clean my house. I took a bigger extra dose than I should have, and a few hours later, I felt pretty awful. I am very productive and more positive on the right dose of this med, so I recommend trying it or Desoxyn because it is said to have fewer side effects like anxiety, panic, and irritability post-dose. Like all meds, Adderall is a blessing when dosed right and a curse when dosed incorrectly. I noticed that I paced around a bit when on it, but I didn’t feel that anxious. It isn’t fun and enjoyable to take a big dose, don’t do it. God made everything to be used in moderation, and it is much better for the whole society when we obey the wise instructions of our doctors and leaders. Be careful, obey your doctor, and may God bless you all to succeed in your treatment plans and in your lives. Amen"

8 / 10
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  • Adhd...
  • January 7, 2021

For ADHD "The Adderall name brand is 2-3 times better than generic Adderall XR. The FDA should be inspecting these generic companies and make sure they are getting as high-quality ingredients. I urge anyone in generics to try real Adderall for a month then decide for yourself. Decide to report the generics because we should be able to get it cheaper, still $90 for generic compared to $220+ for name brand."

10 / 10
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127 Report

Frequently asked questions

  • Jano
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • November 8, 2020

For ADHD "I’ve been on Adderall XR 20 mg since October 6th, 2020. I have to say this medication is life-changing and your psychiatrist, doctor, or whatever will try and find the right dosage for you. I’m 22 years old, male, and I noticed the medication working within an hour. I’m about 220 pounds, 5’8”, and despite that, it still kicked in relatively fast. The side effects I notice the most are as follows: dry mouth, appetite suppression, some irritability, and insomnia on occasion. Adderall XR for me lasts anywhere from 8-12 hours. If it wears off, the medical professional, in most cases, will add Adderall IR to take in the afternoon since upping the dose of XR will not increase duration, only the intensity of the medication itself. ADHD medication is all about finding what’s right for YOU, don’t give up if it doesn’t get manageable or fixed after the first try."

9 / 10
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  • John
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • September 7, 2022

For ADHD "Adderall generics worked very well for me in the past. They were life-changing and allowed me to start repairing the damage from my catastrophic undiagnosed adult life. Near the end of July, I refilled my prescription, and the manufacturer was changed to Actavis, which is owned by Teva, who is in partnership with Takeda-Shire—the original name brand manufacturers. This is not a big pharma conspiracy, as the companies in question are not conspiring. This current formula is not effective. There is a quality control issue. This is anti-consumer and unethical by healthcare standards defined by millennia of Western civilization. There is no reason for the disparity in quality. I can only assume maleficence on the manufacturer's behalf, as these separate companies are not actually separate. I am guessing the quality issue is part of planned obsolescence or some other marketing ploy."

3 / 10
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Are you taking this medicine?

  • Jay
  • Taken for 5 to 10 years
  • November 6, 2020

For ADHD "Adderall XR is life-changing (positively). I went from being massively distractible and procrastinating constantly to getting things done. I'm not just referring to school work or office work. I mean just showing up on time to meet up with friends. Not getting instantly bored with family. I truly love it! Quick warning, take it as your doctor recommends! So much of the bad press comes from people abusing the drug. Likewise, if you're able, take a day off now and then. Perhaps on days when you don't need to work or do much. It's sort of like coffee/tea/caffeine in that sense. Fine if you do take it every day, but probably best if you give your mind/body a rest from it now and then. Just like running or exercise, you need light or rest days each week to really get the most from the workout."

10 / 10
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  • Jeanne
  • Taken for 6 months to 1 year
  • September 28, 2021

For ADHD "I used 10 mg a day and I actually felt like doing something, cooking, going places and then I was taken off by a freaking doctor because I was 78. Well at the rate I am going with what his treatment is I am so depressed I don’t want to live or do anything. My daughter is same way and they treated her awhile and she was able to work and have a life. What the hell is wrong with small doses of Adderall. Everyone does not abuse just trying to have some quality of life."

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More FAQ

  • PROXCON
  • February 15, 2021

For ADHD "I am currently on Adderall XR 30mg, and it has changed so many different aspects of my life, including depression. I was prescribed Adderall because I was about to be terminated from my job. Back to the drug, I take it around 6 am every day, and found that my overall mood has changed. I am not as emotional as I was before, yet I am still able to express my feelings when necessary without the full breakdowns. I have been dealing with Major Depressive Disorder, and this medication has alleviated most of those feelings. However, the medication has not been a miracle drug, and it contains no magic! For me, ADD has always been there. For me, it took me to be 36 years old to finally realize it was time to visit a psychiatrist, regardless of all the negative stigmas; I was glad I did, because it gave me many suspected answers, rather than self-diagnosing situations."

9 / 10
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  • Green...
  • Taken for 10 years or more
  • October 1, 2020

For ADHD "Adderall XR was originally prescribed to me for ADD, but it worked best as a terrific antidepressant. However, now that I've been on it for 20 straight years at 40-80 mg daily, it has very little antidepressant effect now. It's Adderall burnout -- apparently it strips the brain of dopamine -- the feel-good hormone. I still have to take it just to do anything at all each day. The worst effect is insomnia -- no matter how early I take it, it keeps me up for 24 hours unless I finally have to take Seroquel for sleep. Seroquel is the only thing that will knock out Adderall XR. But I hate it because it makes me so damn sluggish in the morning, awful. I cannot believe it's 2020, and there is still no decent antidepressant medication available."

8 / 10
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  • Succe...
  • Taken for 2 to 5 years
  • June 17, 2014

For ADHD "I had unknowingly suffered from ADHD-PI for my entire life. I was constantly in trouble for losing my things, not paying attention in class, forgetting conversations, being unable to understand conversations, so on and so forth. My life was a wreck. My parents constantly told me that I was lazy and worthless. After I joined the military, I was diagnosed with ADHD and Adderall was the first and only medication that I was put on. I went from being the clumsy loser to the office hero. I recently started college and so far, I'm getting straight A's. This medication makes me cool, logical, and focused. I took off a star because it makes me forget to eat sometimes and that makes me tired."

9 / 10
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  • John
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • May 3, 2020

For ADHD "I am a male in my thirties. Adderall is the third drug I tried to treat ADHD after doing trials on Vyvanse and Concerta. Vyvanse worked but did not last long enough, and I had bad crashing (headache, exhaustion). Concerta did not work for me at all, it made me lethargic and even more distracted. Adderall at 20mg a day gives me energy to focus on work and my kids. It lasts me until sometime in the evening. I have trouble sleeping some nights on it, other than that, the side effects are negligible."

8 / 10
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  • 3dpri...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • June 20, 2016

For ADHD "I take 20mg Adderall XR daily for ADHD. I feel extremely productive, focused, and proactive while on it. My first day taking it, I usually am a normal eater. I could only eat a sandwich bag of pretzels before losing any appetite. That night, despite eating almost nothing, I biked 21 miles (my standard biking route) without stopping in record time, without even feeling exhausted. Now, each day I take it, I feel very intelligent and concentrated, and come up with ideas easily, as well as feeling great all the time. In my opinion, Adderall is the greatest thing to grace humankind, and I would suggest it to anybody who has difficulty focusing, especially if you are overweight. I lost 25 lbs in my first 3 months taking it, though."

10 / 10
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  • AK4747
  • July 23, 2015

For ADHD "I absolutely love Adderall. It helps me to complete my tasks, and I have no problem skipping it when I don't have any projects or paperwork to do. I don't ever think about it when I skip it. I believe it is a very great medicine for someone who is having difficulty focusing on one task. Adderall has a bad reputation only because people abuse it. If you overeat, overdo, or overtake anything, it will cause harm to your body. So, it's not a surprise some people are getting addicted to Adderall. You have to UNDERSTAND why you need it and why you are taking it. If you don't abuse it, take the prescribed amount per day, and skip it on weekends or whenever, you will be perfectly fine, and it will serve you well."

10 / 10
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  • Court...
  • March 3, 2016

For ADHD "I suffer from a fairly severe case of ADHD, and take 30 mg Adderall XR daily. Having been on this medication for quite a few years now and taking an almost 7-month break from Adderall, I've gained a better understanding of myself both on and off the drug. Adderall gives me a balance in every sense of the word. It helps me regulate my emotions, gives me the focus I lack, and allows me to feel whole inside. I also feel that it helps me with connecting to others. With impulsivity as a main symptom of my ADHD and one that gets me in a lot of trouble, Adderall helps me to be more mindful when I am communicating myself to the people that I care about. Aside from the mild appetite suppression, this drug really does wonders for people like me."

10 / 10
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  • Crod
  • Taken for 10 years or more
  • June 1, 2021

For ADHD "Adderall XR does exactly as it's supposed to do, with little to no side effects for me. I've been on it a long time, and my work performance, impulsiveness, and cleanliness are all improved. I do not interrupt and can retain things better when having a conversation or reading. I used to talk to people and zone out, thinking about four different things at one time. I would blurt out inappropriately and used to live like an absolute slob. My ADHD has impacted my social life, my home life, and work life. It has helped me get my life in order, act better socially, and helps with my depression at the same time. I have no problem eating or sleeping on this med. I have a tolerance and tolerate it well."

7 / 10
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  • Max
  • April 25, 2021

For ADHD "Just started taking Adderall XR 10 mg after learning I had been misdiagnosed for 15+ years as either bipolar, major depressive disorder, and social anxiety. I finally found a psychiatrist that really dug deep and concluded I was not bipolar, but I suffered from adult ADHD (33-year-old male). It makes total sense as I read more about ADHD. I had been on every possible antidepressant, antipsychotic, MDD, etc., and was just done with meds. I was diagnosed as a child and teen but thought, “I’d grow out of it,” and apparently never did, it just got worse. I feel that so many people are misdiagnosed, it’s almost unbelievable. My theory, and the doctor also said, that if you take the medication and it calms you and your racing thoughts, that’s a telltale sign that you do indeed suffer from ADHD, it’s not just a childhood/school era problem, it disrupts your life, marriage, everything. I’m on day 2, and it’s like a light switch has been turned on, and I can relax and not be manic."

9 / 10
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  • michael...
  • February 19, 2016

For ADHD "Many doctors seem to be convinced that if you have an ADHD disorder, you simply can't get high on stimulant medications. This is NOT the case at all. First off, stimulant medications in general work well... very, very well. The first day I took Adderall, I was at school. About an hour after I took my dose of 20mg, I started to feel this awake, alert, energetic feeling inside. I liked it a lot. For the next 5 hours, all of my boring subjects became very interesting and I became a very social person. After about a month, those effects started to go away. I went to the doc and asked for a dose increase. Without any hesitation, he DOUBLED my dose to 40mg. I quickly found myself abusing Adderall. 1 year later and I'm now in rehab for drug abuse."

6 / 10
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  • Jwright
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • July 22, 2016

For ADHD "Was placed on Adderall XR 20mg once a day. The first month was fantastic. I could think. I had bounds of physical energy. My mood was elevated. I had problems starting with the second month. The positive effects were no longer there, and the negative ones were enhanced. I did some research and found out it was an issue with the brand. Not all generics are the same despite what everyone is told. I got Actavis brand. I found out that not only are generics allowed to differ in potency by 60-120% (40 less potent than some or 20% more potent than some), but Actavis was allowed to use its own proprietary formulation. If you are put on Adderall XR or IR, be cautious about what generic you get. Some work way better than others."

4 / 10
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  • D...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • June 27, 2013

For ADHD "I am 25 years old. Over the last 3 years I have pretty much ruined most of my relationships involving my career and my personal life. The most common symptoms I experience are: Difficulty concentrating and staying on task, capricious behavior/severe mood swings, impulsive behavior/making irrational decisions that significantly impact my future, depression, and anxiety. I had a great job, and I had lots of friends. Unfortunately, difficult events took place that caused my emotional health to start spiraling out of control. I became diagnosed with ADD/ADHD in April 2013. Started Adderall 30mg XR. It really helped me feel more motivated, less depressed, and I felt I could concentrate much better. I definitely recommend this medication!"

9 / 10
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  • Anonymous
  • June 7, 2019

For ADHD "Went from 70 mg Vyvanse to 25 mg Adderall XR, and I'll just say the Vyvanse was not effective for studying or focus. It made me confused, made me think too much, and made me feel kind of bad. I switched to Adderall XR, and I was immediately able to concentrate and focus, I was not confused anymore either. I am on 25 mg now, but I think 30 mg may work just a little bit better. Overall, Adderall XR is the best thing I've ever taken for my ADHD! I also do not feel overstimulated or high from it, which is a big plus because I'm a recovering opiate addict, and I don't need something that is going to make me feel like I need more."

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  • Anonymous
  • Taken for 10 years or more
  • January 31, 2024

For ADHD "Life-changing paradigm-shifting drug for ADHD, combined type. I started with Ritalin - minimal improvement. My quality of life improved in all areas with Adderall XR. The brand name is effective, smooth, and a miracle wonder drug. Avoid the generic XR at all costs! The generic gave me intense, bad side effects with minimal or no benefit. On the generic, I felt as if I took street drugs (I haven't ever so I don't really know) - I clenched my teeth, tensed my muscles, had massive insomnia, and felt generally tense and anxious both socially and professionally. I was diagnosed with ADHD in college at age 32, 18 years ago. After Adderall XR and only Adderall XR, I could drive safely, focus/concentrate, complete tasks before moving on to another task, and respond instead of react. No insomnia with the brand - I even nap on it sometimes! It also helps with depression."

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  • momx2x
  • August 25, 2016

For ADHD "I've struggled with ADD my whole life. When I was a kid, I was put on Ritalin for a few years, and it was amazing at helping me concentrate. Before I hit middle school, my pediatrician took me off of it, saying I 'grew out of it'. I went on through life thinking it was just in my head. I'm now 32. I was always fog-headed and had trouble concentrating. I talked to my doctor, and she said I'd have to see a psychiatrist to get on the medication. My boyfriend's mom talked to her family doctor, and she said she would help me. I met with her and was put on Adderall XR 20mg in the morning and 5mg IR in the afternoon. It's simply amazing. I lost some weight, and I can clearly focus. My boss has noticed a huge difference, and I got a promotion at work!"

9 / 10
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  • Bigda...
  • March 18, 2010

For ADHD "It was a year ago that I was put on Adderall XR. The difference it has made in my life cannot even be explained with words. At 36 years of age, I went to my family doctor and got real honest. It was a humbling experience. I have suffered with drug addiction, depression, and major depression for many years, being called and labeled so many things since I was 15. I really was not sold on my doctor saying I was a clear-cut case of ADHD. Of course, I saw three different doctors in about three months and tried three different meds before my doctor put me on Adderall. After being on it for a year, I have gotten involved in a ministry, moved across the country, and am starting a new business in Texas. My wife of 14 years can't believe the difference."

10 / 10
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  • chris...
  • Taken for 6 months to 1 year
  • July 16, 2014

For ADHD "I was diagnosed with ADHD as a kid because I was our typical class clown that didn't do anything in class. My parents took me to the doctor and I was prescribed Adderall, and it did what it was supposed to, but I absolutely hated it because instead of playing at recess, I would just read a book, so I quit taking it. Fast forward to freshman year in college, I was completely overwhelmed with school, so I went back, got tested, and they put me on Vyvanse. It did the job, but I was so mad when I was on it, they switched me to Adderall. It does exactly what it is supposed to do, make you productive. I went from a 3.0 to a 3.8 from this medicine. But make sure you eat, if you are on it, your body will not tell you you're hungry."

9 / 10
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  • Margie
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • October 2, 2019

For ADHD "I will never give this to my child again!, I know all children are different but I'm sticking with Dyanavel XR. While he was on Adderall he was acting angry and violent, like he was on some kind of illegal drug, his facial expressions were intense, and he could not sit still, and was very emotional. so I have to give this a 1 star on my personal experience and my son's"

1 / 10
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Reviews may be edited to correct grammar/spelling or to remove inappropriate language and content. Reviews that appear to be created by parties with a vested interest are not published. This information is not intended to endorse any particular medication. While these reviews may be helpful, they are not a substitute for the expertise, knowledge, and judgement of healthcare professionals.