I've been taking Concerta 56mg for 6 years. My Dr. put me on Adderall 10mg twice a day. I'm not sure if it works as well. Whats the difference between Adderall XR . Does it work as well or better XR verses just Adderall? Some days it works great and others I'm not sure.
What's the difference between Adderall XR and plain adderall?
Question posted by Mary on 7 May 2013
Last updated on 3 September 2019 by Trinetrine
This question has also been asked and answered here: Adderall vs Vyvanse - What's the difference between them?
9 Answers
Official Answer
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Sep 3, 2020.
Adderall and Adderall XR are brand names of tablets that contain a combination of four different amphetamine salts; dextroamphetamine saccharate, amphetamine aspartate, dextroamphetamine sulfate, and amphetamine sulfate.
They are both central nervous system stimulants that affect chemicals in the brain and nerves that contribute to hyperactivity and impulse control.
Adderall and Adderall XR are used to treat narcolepsy and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
The difference between them is how long they produce their effect.
Adderall is a short acting medication that starts to work soon after dosing with effects usually lasting about 5-6 hours. Typically, when a person is prescribed this version, they would take it two or three times a day.
Adderall XR is a long-acting medication and is effective for 10 to 12 hours. It is usually prescribed just once a day.
For more information visit:
https://www.drugs.com/compare/adderall-vs-adderall-xr
ChelleKristine
14 March 2015
I'm most definitely not one of those obnoxious people who enjoys correcting other people, but just felt it might really be necessary in this case for the sake of people who are seeking info about something as serious as a pharmaceutical. Just want to clarify that Adderall XR actually can be taken more than one a day; my physician has me taking 30mg of XR at 8:30 AM, and another 30mg of XR at 1:00PM.
I don't know if this is at all relevant, but just in case, I do not have ADD/ADHD. I have an autoimmune condition that severely limits my energy level. I also have to take outrageous doses of OxyContin at least twice everyday for treatment of chronic neuropathic pain, and of course opioids are well known to be highly sedating.
Hope this helps! :)
Courtlily143
2 April 2015
Actually I'm on the Adderall XR and it can be taken more than once a day. I have to take 3 caps in the morning and one cap at night... so I dunno where u got your info.
Courtlily143
2 April 2015
sorry wrong person
Courtlily143
2 April 2015
Actually it can be taken more than once a day. I'm on adderall RX and I have to take 3 caps in the morning and one at night... so I dunno where u received your info, but you're wrong,
Danni926
3 Aug 2015
i, too, take the adderall 20 mg XR, and i take 2 or 3 in morning and most days, if it is a longer busier day, i will take another one, sometimes with a regular adderall 20 mg. after almost 4 years of adderall, i can say a few things that i have noticed with total certainty, and wonder sooo much if any others out there have noticed same thing or feel the same way... the first 2 years i took the XR i was able to take the Shire name brand. I take the generic version last 2 years and it is not the same. i don't care how many people say generic are the same, they just plain aren't. i worked for a pharmaceutical company, in their Regulatory Affairs and Operations Dept, and i had access to some really fascinating reading material and i really just grew to loath the pharma industry, including the money grubbing, lying company i worked for...
i am so glad times have changed a little and many doctors offices no longer get visited by pharma reps to get every kind of sample out there... there is nothing better than being happy with the med you're on & then your doctor bugs you for the next 4 months to try this other med - so they can get some nice side cash from the pharma company (drug dealer) who brought the samples... they LOVE those brand new meds with no generic versions, cha-CHING!! I am not lucky enough to get the brand name anymore my insurance said no, and i can hardly blame them it is quite ridiculously expensive, and the generic isn't so cheap, either!
You will build up a tolerance with adderall, which is normal, so as long as it is working well for you but just not as sharp, definitely talk to your doc about adjusting dosage, never be afraid to ask!
andreash2550
29 Sep 2015
@danni256 - are certain generic companies that have a more effective formulation more closely resembling the brand-name? I agree with you about generics, and would like to know which generic works best.
JodieDodie
20 Nov 2015
You might as well just smoke marijuana or take medical edibles if your chronic pain is that bad
NicholsX5
27 Feb 2016
That is actually inaccurate regarding the Adderall XR - once daily dosage.
I have been prescribed 30mg XR twice daily and take it as directed by my Dr. which is: 30mg at 3am when I wake up. Split the pill in half and take 15mg at 10:30am. Take the other half (15mg) at 3:00pm. This has worked tremendously for me as I work 2 jobs (1 FT during the day and part time evenings and weekends), I have 3 children, 8 y/o twin boys with Type 1 Diabetes and require 24/7 care and round the clock Blood Glucose monitoring (Yes - that includes waking up and checking their blood sugar several times through the night while they sleep) and a 2 y/o son without any health issues. I was diagnosed with ADHD 12 years ago and with the life changes of having children, 2 with a life threating disease, and having to work 2 jobs and performing everyday mommy responsibilities, my focus, concentration and energy level has plummeted. That is when the Dr. increased 20mg XR x2 per day to 30mg XR.
I have never taken the capsules, only the pills due to the fact that I have to split the late morning and afternoon dosage in half. The Dr. has always told me not to take Adderall after 4pm because I will have trouble sleeping. But I have had to take it before on occasion after 4, even around 6 or 7pm, when having to work later than usual, or having to pull an all-nighter for diabetic complications with either of the twins and half hour to hourly sugar checks through the night and going to both jobs the following day.
I actually signed on here because I just picked up my 30mg XR prescription and was given Adderall not Adderall XR which I routinely have taken for years. Unless anyone knows of immediate side affects or concerns with the Adderall not being the XR, I will take the regular Adderall and see if it makes a positive or negative difference.
Thanks!
Englan
6 May 2016
I have Attention Deficit Disorder I started taking Evekeo but found it wasn't working for me so I was prescribed Adderall 15mg x day. I normally would only take once a day but I know I need it twice a day so I was switched to 30mg XR . Anyone out there have A.D.D. And taking the adderall xr? I'm 45 years old and up until about a year ago had never receive treatment although I was diagnosed very young. Any advise or help would be appreciated. I'm concerned if there will be additional side affects with the XR. Thanks in advance
Zcraz
27 Aug 2016
To the person that is taking the adderall for energy because of another illness. Look up muscle and joint pain while on adderall. That is what I'm experiencing!!! Like many others from what I've read. Just wanted to share since your already dealing with pain this could add to it sadly.
Jakeevans64
18 Oct 2017
I think as a valid side note prescribed drugs like adderall differ in each person so where one might take one while another takes 3 in a day it all varies for different people as well as conditions one may have adderall is used in more then one field obviously! But I do think xr's are stronger then say the tablets but I'm not a doctor so don't quote me on that hahaha just my opinions!
plainspark
10 July 2018
I take Adderall XR twice a day.
Trinetrine
3 Sep 2019
I was on regular Adderall for years and was thriving. Government and CVS pharmacies and psychiatrist put pressure on other psychiatrist to change to Adderall extended release. So noe since it stays in my system all time my dehydration is constant. I have trouble sleeping or don't sleep at all so I then in turn can't get up and get myself going easily because it's only half as immediately potent as regular Adderall. The dehydration which I can not seem to fix with tons of water and Gatorade daily leaves me feeling faint and dizzy and not focused or driven. I lose my job of 6 years and it completely messed up my life. It also made mild OCD really bad. I generally feel horrible now pretty much all the time. Thanks government and pharmacies and medical community!
Chery357
4 May 2018
I was on Bupropion HCL XL150 mg and now on Adetal XR 15mg.
What is the difference in Adderall Xr, Er and Ir?
What is the usual dosage for adults?
I started on a 15mg once a day but feel like I need a higher dosage.
Staticsbone
11 Feb 2018
I am just trying to respond to JENNI'S RESPONSE the weight issue. You can rebound in a bad way like that when the body gets used to (for lack of a better way to put it the adrenaline or speediness of it). But the problem is the doctor not your daughter. Please get 2nd and if needed a 3rd opinion. Also you can go to the FDA on the internet... it will take quite a while. Then make copies and bring to your prescribing doctor. Feel free to contact me if you want to chat further. Others might say Im wrong or not a Dr but, my answer is not incorrect.
brownwolfe
3 Feb 2018
My experience with Adderall versus Adderall XR is fairly significant. The XR (extended release) seems to be more noticable when it kicks in and definitely lasts much longer. I've also noticed that by having a small meal/snack after a few hours, especially if the medication seems to be wearing off some, it tends to give the medication a little "boost", but I think that is true with other meds as well. Something to consider: since the XR is made to release small doses throughout a period of at least 5 hours, be aware that it can cause sleeplessness if taken too late in the day. I rarely have that problem, but have noted teeth clenching in my sleep. My script is for (2) 15 mg capsules in the a.m. and (1) in the afternoon. My doctor says to take the afternoon dose only if I feel I need it (like when I have an evening class or homework I have to focus on). By the way, I'm in my 40s (not a youngster). All in all, I prefer XR over plain adderall.
Unfortunately, I am unable to give you any comparison to Concerta since I've only ever taken Adderall. Hope this helps you or any others with the same question.
eric2143
9 Nov 2016
I take 60 mgs of Adderall xr and 30 mgs at noon. I have been on the immediate release and I want to make an appointment with my doctor to have my xr switched back to immediate release. I feel xr is not strong enough and xr should be reformulated just like xanax xr. Claiming that xanax xr last for 24 hours which studies found through patients taking it that it does not work for 24 hours. That is why immediate xanax is giving with the xr during throughout the day with it. I have been on both medications but feel that either way the both of them with being immediate release are stronger as I have been switched back and fourth.
Danni926
3 Aug 2015
I, too, try not to come off sounding a certain way - and I know on the seldom occasion I jump on here & answer a question or 2, it is NOT to give anyone instructions/directions as though I am his or hers PHYSICIAN, PHARMACIST, or NURSE, it is to share my particular experience with that medication, as i only answer if it is a medication i have personally taken or am taking now, and not because I just bought 7 of them and wondering what it is I just paid $75 for. I joined this site October 2011 and enjoyed it and visited often... but it changed... all of the sudden every time i get my notifications for the groups i'm signed up with and see a question that sounds interesting so I click on it & get brought to the page, sure enough, if 2 or 3 people haven't jumped on it, with these posts that make my face get hot because i am so angry and would grab these people if i could and bash all of their ignoramous and potentially murderous heads together.
i can tell by most of these posts it sounds like younger guys & girls, you can tell by how they pose their questions, and often times they seem nervous and scared like most of us probably were at that age, especially with private/personal things, and they come on here because they can't or don't choose to talk to their parents or doctor, and the handful of idiots on here are more than happy to authoritatively and with such confidence, tell these confused kids what to do. It takes away from this site and makes it NOT COOL compared to other sites like MedScape where they wouldn't tolerate such insanity.
Libr8r
3 June 2017
Kudos for your input! Here here.
Jenn79nic
21 Jan 2018
Danni926 I know it’s been a while since this thread, I need to know. You said you took Brand Adderal XR the first 2 years, then had to take generic snd they were to the same. Did the Brand work better? My daughter is on adderal xr 30mg. At first. She lost 15 or do pounds. But if made her healthier. After a while, not even a year, I noticed she started gaining weight. 15-20 pounds. I’m going to check the brands The was taking, the maker of the generic, and if she ever took Brand name. To see if there is a pattern or comparison to when the gain started. I had her off fur 4 months in vyvanse, she never lost, gained a little more. Now back on adderal xr, I think she’s lost a few, but not like before. She’s not certain it works as well as the beginning. Big to sound horrible, she is unhealthy with the weight gain.
Any hell would be great. Thanks!
brownwolfe
3 Feb 2018
To Jenn79nic: Please know that the initial weight loss is normal, but as with many drugs taken on a regular basis, your body has a way of "adjusting" or builds up a tolerance. I too lost weight, but was taking the generic Adderall XR so I'm not sure that the brand is any different in that aspect. Due to an insurance change, I was able to start taking the name brand a year or so ago, but still continued to gain back some of the 20 lbs I had lost in the first year of taking the medication. I guess my question to you is; does the generic Adderall still work for treating the original diagnosis? Or was it originally prescribed for weight loss? If it was prescribed for ADD/ADHD and has lost its efficacy with that, possibly you could ask the doctor if a slight bump in the mgs would be beneficial. Just a suggestion.
Inactive
3 Aug 2015
The XR stands for extended release, so it should last longer throughout the day since its made to release certain ammounts throughout the day compared to just Adderall.
ryank10909
2 Sep 2013
Mary,
Adderall XR (Extended Release) is a time released pill. Adderall IR (Imedeate Release), or is also known as Instant Release.
Adderall IR - Initial Dose: 10 mg per day orally upon awakening.
Maintenance Dose: The daily dosage may be raised in increments of 10 mg at weekly intervals until optimal response is obtained, up to a maximum of 60 mg/day. Give first dose on awakening; additional doses (1 or 2) at intervals of 4 to 6 hours. If bothersome adverse reactions appear (e.g., insomnia or anorexia), dosage should be reduced.
Adderall XR - In adults with ADHD who are either starting treatment for the first time or switching from another medication, the recommended dose is 20 mg/day.
I've been taking Adderall IR since the age of 6, took myself off to join the Marines. I recently saw a doctor and have been taking the IR for a few months now and tried Vyvanse and can tell a major difference on how the medications react to my body. Adderall IR I feel like I have more controll. I'm going to ask my Dr. if XR might be good for me. You can also take the XR in the morning, and if you feel the need to take more after the XR wears off the IR usaually last abour 3-4 hours for me. hope this helps :)
poultrygrower
25 Sep 2015
I am on Adderall xr right now but it don't seem to last long enough within 5 or 6 hours I am just like I was before taking any thing. Do you think that the adderall tabs would be better for me? I know the tabs are way cheaper than the xr.
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adderall, adderall xr, concerta, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (adhd)
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