Do doctors sometimes prescribe both Adderall xr and Adderall instant release?

Answer 1

I wouldn't recommend it, I would imagine the effect would be similar to someone drinking a lot of caffeine while on speed. Basically, all you'd be doing is piling stimulants on top of each other, strong stimulants. My guess is it would cause extreme anxiety and jittery-ness, possibly uncontrollable shaking, or even heartrate complications. Depending on how much someone consumed, I bet it would cause an anxiety attack, maybe even a heart attack. I personally have issues when I drink more than one cup of coffee and all I take is Adderall for my ADD. But I'm no doctor, so I can't say for sure, I'd just be very wary of it.

Answer

I disagree with the above answer. Ritalin and Adderall are both in the stimulant family but have different chemical formulations. While a "normal" person might go into overdrive, a person with AD/HD is likely to have a very different reaction due to abnormal brain chemistry.

When I take Ritalin, I get very calm and mellow and relaxed, to the point where I can't get a lot done. It probably works great for people who have a problem with the hyperactive form of AD/HD.

When I take Adderall, I get more energy and mental clarity and feel like I can get more done. It works great for me and my inattentive symptoms.

Someone with the combined form of AD/HD would probably benefit from taking both medications together.

Answer

ADDERALL ( dextroamphetamine ) and RITALIN ( methylphenidate ) are both central nervous system STIMULANTS. They're prescribed for ADD, ADHD, narcolepsy (desire to sleep at inappropriate times). ONLY take BOTH on the advice of a Physician, because even though they are both basically the same thing, there may be a reason for being on both . One or both may be time released, taken at separate times,the mixture may work well for YOU and your specific disorder or many other reasons. But it is IMPORTANT to report any effects to your doctor such as: anxiety...sleeplessness...appetite loss...rapid heartbeat...increase in blood preassure for example. ALSO, it's important not to chop, crush or chew a time release capsule or pill. Usually the label will say SR ( sustained release ), ER ( extended release ), LA ( long acting ) or something close to that. ANOTHER point to remember is that in pre-adolecents and adolecents, stimulants almost always have a paridoxical effect ( opposite of the effect expected ). That's the reason they give children STIMULANTS to CALM them down enough to study and concentrate better. If you forget to question your doctor, ask your PHARMACIST, as they are quite knowledgeable and helpful. I hope this helps you make an informed and careful decision about taking these and other drugs. ............................BEST OF HEALTH......................................

ADDITION INFO:

CNS stimulant, ie. amphetamines (adderall) and methylphenidate (Ritalin), act by increasing the amounts of certain chemicals in your brain, called neurotransmitters. Neurotransmitters are the chemical signals that your brain and nerves use to signal to each other. Normally, when the nerves "fire", the electric signal allows the nerve endings to release these chemicals, which can go on to other nerves, parts of your brain or muscles. Once these chemicals do their action, they get re-uptaken into the original nerve endings, through certain channels, where they came from, and they get broken down by an enzyme called monoaminooxidase (MAO).

The neurotramitters involved when it comes to adderall or Ritalin are: dopamine, serotonin and norepinephrine. Both drugs have different mechanisms but they end up with increased levels of these neurotransmitters.

Adderall works on the nerves by stimulating them to release more of these transmitters and it also blocks the enzyme, Monoaminooxidase, which is responsible for breaking them down.

Ritalin, on the other hand, works by blocking the channels which allow dopamine, norepinephrine and serotonin to get back into the nerve endings to be broken down. (Same way that cocaine works) So it allows them to stay out and signal more.

Each one of these drugs, if taken separately has significant side effects. So, imagine if you mix both adderall and Ritalin together. Adderall will dump out all these neurotransmitters into your system, then Ritalin will block their re-uptake. So, you dump them out and then close the gates to leave them out. They can have a synergisitc effect (added up effects) which will cause tremendous and severe adverse/toxic effects.

Answer

I disagree that Ritalin and Adderall together would necessarily be a bad thing. Amphetamines, of which Adderall is, behave more like a dopamine agonist. Likewise, Metyhlphenidate drugs behave more like dopamine reuptake inhibitors. Consequently, you could take a lower overall dosage by combining the two. Also, some people may use one or the other as a "booster" for when one of them wears off, as they often do in the afternoon.

Answer

Well its all good to theorize about mixing adhd drugs, but unlike most I am someone who is currently mixing two adhd drugs together that are Ritalin and dexamphetamine. And i find it works far better then both medication on their own, and infact any side affects they each had, is cancelled out with the combination, so Ritalin may have made me nervous but calm, dex made me more active and confident but agitated, when i took both medications together it cancelled out the negative affects and only kept the positive, so i was no longer nervous or agitated but simply active and calm at the same time. Its very rare to have both medication together, infact only 1% of my country who take adhd drugs take a combination. So far ive taken the combination for a year, with no sideaffects that im aware of.

Not much is known about the combination of adhd drugs because its never been clinally tested, so theres no evidence stating that its safe or not. The theory some of u made saying that the drug gives u a double boost in energy is not true, it more of a high that's controlled, kinda u have energy but at the same time your calmer and use that energy more wisely. Ritalin works by blocking the dopamine in your mind, which gives someone with adhd a calming affect, dex produces more which will give you more energy, so the combination in my ownh theory is that with dex, more dopamine is produced and the Ritalin blocks the dopamine, this will then make you have an increased concentration and energy that leaves you with a calm, controlled feeling.

Again this is MY experience, im only telling you what i know from personal experience, the combination has not been clinically studied and should not be tried unless your doctor approves otherwise. Again how i feel is that i have a pretty high concentration, more confident, energised but also im calm, controlled and responsible.

But this is only as good as long as i take the correct amount, and keep taking it. Yes i feel fine, yes i feel positive and do well at work and uni. as long as i take the correct dosage (45mg rit and 15mg dex) i feel normal. That is the maximum my body and mind can handle, anymore is consequental such as paranoia, nervousness, panic attacks, feeling hot and sweaty (on cold days), trouble sleeping and increased heartbeat all depending on how much more i take.

But don't stress too much, all those side affects mentioned wont last forever or happen all at once. I no longer have that issue as ive been instructed to only get a daily dosage, because of the amount and combination. This way i can never overdose on the medication and reduce the chances of sideaffects. Also this will matter in the long run, make sure you eat well, drink lots of juices, and excersize, because these tablets use your own bodies chemicals, it doesnt add any at all, so you need to make sure by looking after yourself your body doesnt run out of its own supply system.

As long as you healthy you should be fine, but then again everyone is different and don't take my word on this PLEASE. Moderation is the key. I hope this helped.

Answer 2

Methylphenidate (also known as Ritalin) is more commonly prescribed first; it has less likelihood of abuse compared to Adderall and less side effects in most individuals. Adderall is generally the second drug used if methylphenidate fails to provide symptom relief.

Answer 3

Yes, Doctors do prescribe bothe adderall xr and instant release. I currently take both right now.