Why is my Adderall not working anymore?
The medication itself isn't always the problem. It could be that your ADHD symptoms have gotten more severe and that you need more medicine or a different one to get the same results. New life events can make your symptoms worse, too. For example, stressful and demanding situations can make it even harder to focus.
ADHD Meds Aren't a Panacea
First, it should be said that if you feel your medication isn't working or it stops working, tell your doctor. They can help adjust the dose or find another drug that may work better for you. The same goes for if a medication's side effects get to be too much.
If your ADHD medication is not working anymore, it could be due to several reasons: the dosage may be incorrect; adherence may be an issue; co-existing disorders may impede the medications effectiveness or the patient may have another medical condition producing ADHD-like symptoms 3,4 (i.e., infection-triggered ...
You should talk to your doctor if your sleepiness doesn't get better after making a few lifestyle changes. It might help to change your dose. You could also try another ADHD drug, like Ritalin or Dexedrine.
- Difficulty paying attention or focusing.
- Only getting symptom relief for a brief period (talk to your doctor about symptom relief expectations or check out medication durations here)
- Having difficulties with impulse control.
- Getting easily distracted.
Most drugs prescribed for ADHD are derivatives of amphetamine or methylphenidate. This includes drugs that go by many different names, including Ritalin, Adderall, and Concerta. What is the strongest ADHD medication? There isn't a single medication prescribed for ADHD that is a lot stronger than the others.
- Changes in focus later in the day. You may notice improved focus in the morning. ...
- Persistent weight loss. ...
- Irritability. ...
- Personality changes. ...
- Trouble with focus at homework time. ...
- “Crashing” during the day. ...
- Trouble falling asleep.
Foods that contain large amounts of citric acid and ascorbic acid (vitamin C) will prevent the absorption of both Adderall IR and XR into the body. Fruit juices high in vitamin C, soda drinks, and food with high levels of preservatives should be avoided an hour before and after taking Adderall.
- Lack of Exercise. 1/11. If your memory is hazy, your ADHD may be to blame. ...
- Eating Out Often. 2/11. ...
- Too Much Junk Food. 3/11. ...
- Skipping Breakfast. 4/11. ...
- Messy Homes and Offices. 5/11. ...
- Too Much Stuff. 6/11. ...
- The Wrong Meds. 7/11. ...
- Lack of Sleep. 8/11.
For those who may be more prone to abuse stimulant medications, a physician may decide that Vyvanse is a better choice. Finally, physicians often prescribe medications based on their own experience and knowledge. They may feel that they see better results with Vyvanse compared to Adderall or other medications.
How does caffeine affect Adderall?
Caffeine reduces amphetamine-induced activity in asymmetrical interaction.
Too little response: The medication isn't sufficiently controlling your ADHD symptoms such as inattention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity. Intolerable side effects: The medication may be working, but the side effects are severe and/or intolerable.

How long does 20mg of Adderall last? Like smaller doses, the effects of 20 mg of Adderall varies by individual, but also typically lasts for 4-6 hours.
With psychostimulants, it's best to stay within the FDA-approved limits. Slightly higher doses of mixed amphet- amine salts (Adderall, up to 60 mg/day) may be needed for patients with severe symptoms, and lower doses are likely safer and just as effective in the elderly.
It is used to treat attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children, teens and adults. It is also used to treat a sleep disorder called narcolepsy. For adults and children over age 6 with ADHD, the maximum daily dose is 40 mg per day. For narcolepsy in adults, the dose can range from 5 to 60 mg per day.
In patients 12 years of age and older, start with 10 mg daily; daily dosage may be raised in increments of 10 mg at weekly intervals until optimal response is obtained. If bothersome adverse reactions appear (e.g., insomnia or anorexia), dosage should be reduced.
Are There Substitutes to Adderall XR? Medications like Vyvanse, Concerta and Ritalin can be considered as options instead of Adderall XR. Although they work in ways to Adderall XR there may be variations, in their side effects and recommended dosages.
Taken once-daily in the morning, Adzenys XR-ODT may help improve attention and reduce impulsivity and hyperactivity in patients with ADHD.
Adderall XR is the longer-lasting form, designed to be effective for 10-12 hours. It's a capsule with beads that are 50-50, so 50% of them are immediate release, and the other 50% are delayed release. The capsule can be opened and the beads mixed with food.
Obviously, some of these side effects will occur with normal doses of amphetamines, but they should not be severe if you are taking the right dosage for your needs. In addition, if you are taking too much of your medication, you may also start to experience: A fast or pounding heartbeat. Shortness of breath.
Is Concerta better than Adderall?
About half of them get the same benefit whether they take either Adderall or Concerta. The other half does better on one drug than the other. This is because they work on your brain in slightly different ways and can have different benefits and side effects.
For example, you might start with 5 mg., review within three to five days, and move up to 10 mg., then 15 mg., and, if necessary, 20 mg. At signs of unusual irritability, tearfulness, or being in a cloud, the dose should be reduced. Did You Know: Doctors typically adjust medication dosages every three to seven days.
Nutrient deficiencies: Adderall can deplete certain nutrients, such as vitamin B6, magnesium, and zinc, which can impact its effectiveness. Timing of use: The timing of when Adderall is taken can also impact its effectiveness, and changes in schedule or routine can disrupt its efficacy.
Amphetamine is a neurotoxic psychostimulant that causes dopamine depletion and neuronal death in the rodent striatum.
Due to the way Adderall interacts with the brain, prolonged use can potentially lead to addiction.
Differences in emotions in people with ADHD can lead to 'shutdowns', where someone is so overwhelmed with emotions that they space out, may find it hard to speak or move and may struggle to articulate what they are feeling until they can process their emotions.
- DON'T be a couch potato. ...
- DON'T stay on your phone. ...
- DON'T eat a lot of refined carbs. ...
- DON'T take someone else's Adderall or Ritalin. ...
- DON'T skip your medication. ...
- DON'T drink alcohol or smoke marijuana. ...
- DON'T drink energy drinks. ...
- DON'T let stresses stack up.
When ADHD symptoms interfere with their ability to follow through, they begin to feel stressed out, overwhelmed, and exhausted, which signals the next stage in the burnout cycle. The cycle continues when people turn to avoidance coping, procrastination, or self-medication to lower their stress.
Adderall contains amphetamine salts directly while Vyvanse uses lisdexamfetamine as a “prodrug,” which gets converted into an active form in the body before it has any effects. This extra step makes its side effects less pronounced than those taking Adderall.
Modafinil is a much milder stimulant than Adderall, and its mild stimulant properties allow for using it in varied situations to address lethargy and sleepiness without the potential for inducing anxiety, jitteriness, irritability, or agitation.
Does Wellbutrin give you energy like Adderall?
No. Unlike stimulant drugs that kick in almost immediately, Wellbutrin takes several days for most patients to notice the effects. Does Wellbutrin give you energy? With the increase of dopamine that Wellbutrin provides, some patients may experience a boost of energy and motivation while taking Wellbutrin.
Researchers believe that the amount of caffeine required to produce these effects might differ for ADHDers due to caffeine's interactions with dopamine. Some people with ADHD experience a paradoxical effect to caffeine and feel more sleepy after consuming it.
Conclusion: Overall, the present data demonstrate that acute interactions of nicotine and other psychomotor stimulants produce potentiative effects and that these transient interactions may play a role in the frequent co-use and abuse of nicotine and other stimulants.
If you're struggling with anxiety as a result of Adderall, extra support—with medications such as anti-anxiety medication or antidepressants, talk therapy (like cognitive behavioral therapy or CBT), or both—may be necessary to control your symptoms.
Treating ADHD
Sometimes a medicine just stops working. If you have tried slowly increasing the dosage and that doesn't work, maybe it's time to switch. You might be able to go back to the original medication if you take a break from it for a month.
Based on this review, the research suggests that there is a small percentage of patients with ADHD who develop “early tolerance” to stimulant medicines and a potentially larger percentage have a more gradual or “late tolerance” over years.
Stimulant drugs like Adderall and Vyvanse may help to relieve feelings of sadness or overwhelm, but they can also deplete stores of magnesium in the body. Magnesium is a key element for maintaining your mental health, so this can be problematic.
The adult Adderall immediate-release dosage is 5 mg to 40 mg per day, spread throughout the day. Adderall extended-release is taken in one daily dose, usually not to exceed 40 mg per day. It is very dangerous (and even potentially fatal) to use high dosages of Adderall to get high.
Adderall immediate-release tablets are usually taken two to three times a day. The typical starting dose for patients ages 6 and older is 5 mg once or twice daily. Medical providers may increase the dose by 5 mg weekly until the medicine starts to work. The dose rarely exceeds 40 mg per day.
Recommended Dosage in Adults
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.
What happens if I accidentally take 2 Adderall?
Taking too much Adderall can lead to a potentially life-threatening overdose. Always take your medication as directed and seek emergency treatment if you or someone you know experiences symptoms of an overdose.
Adderall doses and Adderall XR doses: Recommended daily doses. Adderall dose: The maximum daily dose is 40 mg/day for adults, and 30 mg/day for children. Adderall XR dose: The maximum daily dose is 40 mg/day for adults, and 30 mg/day for children.
Since then, the situation has only worsened. A September 2023 survey from the National Community Pharmacists Association found that 94 percent of independent community pharmacies reported experiencing shortages of Adderall or generics.
Medications that are FDA-approved specifically for ADHD in adults are the stimulants Adderall XR, Concerta, Focalin XR, Vyvanse, and the nonstimulant Strattera. The approved maximum age for use of these medications varies from fifty-five to sixty-five.
ADDERALL XR® demonstrates linear pharmacokinetics over the dose range of 20 to 60 mg in adults and adolescents weighing greater than 75 kg/165lbs, over the dose range of 10 to 40 mg in adolescents weighing less than or equal to 75 kg/165 lbs, and 5 to 30 mg in children aged 6 to 12 years.
The dose of a single capsule should not be divided. The contents of the entire capsule should be taken, and patients should not take anything less than one capsule per day. ADDERALL XR may be taken with or without food.
Notes for Professionals: In general, food does not significantly interact with the amphetamine stimulants, a dose may be taken with or without food. However, certain gastrointestinal acidifying agents (e.g., certain fruit juices, etc.) can lower the oral absorption of amphetamines.
- Caffeine. Caffeine is one of the most popular drugs in the world. ...
- Ginkgo Biloba. Ginkgo biloba is a supplement from the leaves of the ginkgo tree with antioxidant and inflammation-reducing properties. ...
- L-Theanine. ...
- Rhodiola Rosea. ...
- Bacopa Monnieri. ...
- Vitamin B6 and Magnesium. ...
- Citicoline. ...
- GABA.
Taking stimulants like Adderall and Ritalin without having attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD, the condition for which they are commonly prescribed, can result in decreased productivity, according to a new study.
While addressing ADHD fatigue can be challenging; there are healthy ways to cope. Certain lifestyle changes can greatly improve a person's symptoms of ADHD fatigue, such as maintaining a regular sleep schedule, engaging in regular exercise, and practicing stress management techniques.
What is in Adderall that gives you energy?
Adderall is a combination of amphetamine and dextroamphetamine, two central nervous stimulants that improve focus and reduce impulsivity by increasing dopamine and norepinephrine levels in the brain.
Dysphoria (extremely flat affect) is another serious but rare side effect. Dysphoria is often a dramatic change (e.g., the child appears as if they are bland and without emotion) for what is likely a very animated child, and may be a sign of a medication dosage that is too high.
Use this medication regularly to get the most benefit from it. To help you remember, take it at the same time(s) each day.
ADHD burnout is often something a little deeper. It refers to the cycle of overcommitting and overextending that leads to fatigue in people with ADHD. It involves taking on too many tasks and commitments, and then the subsequent exhaustion that happens when we're unable to fulfill all of our obligations.
Researchers have not conclusively shown why ADHD causes fatigue in some people, but one possible explanation is the condition's effects on dopamine. ADHD can affect dopamine levels, making it more difficult for the body to respond to this important neurotransmitter.
Stimulant alternatives to Adderall include Ritalin, Concerta and Daytrana (methylphenidate); Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine); and Dexedrine (dextroamphetamine).
SHORT-ACTING STIMULANT ALTERNATIVES — Currently available short-acting stimulants that may be used as alternatives to Adderall include dexmethylphenidate (Focalin, and generics), methylphenidate (Ritalin, Methylin, and generics), and dextroamphetamine (Zenzedi, ProCentra, and generics); their onset of action occurs ...
It's most commonly used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). It's also used to treat narcolepsy. Adderall is considered a first-choice treatment option for ADHD. Studies of Adderall and Adderall XR show that the drugs improve attention and focus, and reduce impulsive behaviors.