Dexedrine (dextroamphetamine) instead of Focalin (dextromethylphenidate)?

[Jager336]

I hope this is the right forum, apologies if it's not.

I am just curious as to what I can possibly expect when I do a trial of Dexedrine Spansules. I do not like Ritalin AT ALL, and despite it being offered by my doctor, I passed on the Focalin for Desoxyn at the time because of how closely it is related to Ritalin, and naturally I thought I would like the Desoxyn. Ritalin makes me feel like I drank too much coffee or something. Shaky, somewhat irritable, not to mention the heart rate and basically just feeling like I have to do something but not being able to do anything. Just basically feel sick. I also liked Vyvanse until I started on Focalin.

I also don't like Adderall for the quantity it requires for either therapeutic or recreational dosing, and the horrible comedowns and headaches I have. Vyvanse seems to be a much smoother ride, but I eventually found out the potency of Focalin in my case. Since it is the "d-side" of the drug (and I'm sorry if I said that the wrong way) and I've had such success, and fun of course, with it, I'm curious as to whether you guys think I would like Dexedrine, being the "d-side" of Adderall? My doctor is willing to give me a trial come the end of the month if I would like, though I'm wondering if I would like it since I dislike Adderall so much. I really do. As I said I also dislike Ritalin, even more than Adderall, but Focalin was great. Also, since I've started the Focalin I can't get a decent buzz from Adderall at all, and I can devour Vyvanse 70mg and go to sleep as though I hadn't taken a thing. I know they rate Focalin at 2x the potency of Ritalin but not only do I find it to be greater than that, it is particularly devoid of the nasties found while dosing other stims. If it's of any value, although Desoxyn is also a d-isomer it took huge quantities for either therapeutic or recreational use.

So basically I suppose my question is do you think Dexedrine is something I would enjoy more than Focalin, and have a better therapeutic benefit as I do have ADHD which makes using them recreationally crappy for the rest of the month?

 

[grrr8Dane]

I hope this is the right forum, apologies if it's not.

I am just curious as to what I can possibly expect when I do a trial of Dexedrine Spansules. I do not like Ritalin AT ALL, and despite it being offered by my doctor, I passed on the Focalin for Desoxyn at the time because of how closely it is related to Ritalin, and naturally I thought I would like the Desoxyn. Ritalin makes me feel like I drank too much coffee or something. Shaky, somewhat irritable, not to mention the heart rate and basically just feeling like I have to do something but not being able to do anything. Just basically feel sick. I also liked Vyvanse until I started on Focalin.

I also don't like Adderall for the quantity it requires for either therapeutic or recreational dosing, and the horrible comedowns and headaches I have. Vyvanse seems to be a much smoother ride, but I eventually found out the potency of Focalin in my case. Since it is the "d-side" of the drug (and I'm sorry if I said that the wrong way) and I've had such success, and fun of course, with it, I'm curious as to whether you guys think I would like Dexedrine, being the "d-side" of Adderall? My doctor is willing to give me a trial come the end of the month if I would like, though I'm wondering if I would like it since I dislike Adderall so much. I really do. As I said I also dislike Ritalin, even more than Adderall, but Focalin was great. Also, since I've started the Focalin I can't get a decent buzz from Adderall at all, and I can devour Vyvanse 70mg and go to sleep as though I hadn't taken a thing. I know they rate Focalin at 2x the potency of Ritalin but not only do I find it to be greater than that, it is particularly devoid of the nasties found while dosing other stims. If it's of any value, although Desoxyn is also a d-isomer it took huge quantities for either therapeutic or recreational use.

So basically I suppose my question is do you think Dexedrine is something I would enjoy more than Focalin, and have a better therapeutic benefit as I do have ADHD which makes using them recreationally crappy for the rest of the month?

So you didn't like Desoxyn? Wow. Listen, I can totally relate to wanting more rec value, but with all due respect, if the Focalin is working great for you (and you clearly stated that it is), then there's no reason for you to switch to Dexedrine just to see if you can get higher.

 

[Jager336]

It wasn't so much to do with getting higher as it was wondering if I could get benefit (therapeutic mostly) from less as I'm already at the maximum dose of Focalin (120 10mg IR/month).

And yeah, I thought the same thing, found it hard to believe I didn't like pharmaceutical-grade meth, but as someone mentioned in another area of these forums, 5mg methamphetamine is small by any standards. It's really fairly little to do with getting higher and more to do with taking less for the same benefit, or perhaps better, but yes all in all the Focalin does work pretty well it just goes too quick (no pun intended), which is why I'm considering if a trial would be worthwhile or if I'm hoping for too much.

I understand your point too, and I won't lie the rec value is a fair part of it but mostly I would just like something I could make last longer. Stims are a huge weakness for me in that regard.

Edit:

After re-reading my original post I really could have conveyed my intent better. Note to mods: This is NOT a request for information on getting higher.

 

[grrr8Dane]

It wasn't so much to do with getting higher as it was wondering if I could get benefit (therapeutic mostly) from less as I'm already at the maximum dose of Focalin (120 10mg IR/month).

And yeah, I thought the same thing, found it hard to believe I didn't like pharmaceutical-grade meth, but as someone mentioned in another area of these forums, 5mg methamphetamine is small by any standards. It's really fairly little to do with getting higher and more to do with taking less for the same benefit, or perhaps better, but yes all in all the Focalin does work pretty well it just goes too quick (no pun intended), which is why I'm considering if a trial would be worthwhile or if I'm hoping for too much.

I understand your point too, and I won't lie the rec value is a fair part of it but mostly I would just like something I could make last longer. Stims are a huge weakness for me in that regard.

Edit:

After re-reading my original post I really could have conveyed my intent better. Note to mods: This is NOT a request for information on getting higher.

If your intent is to find a better high, no judgement. I mean, we all understand that, right? It's just that jumping from stim to stim in search of something better is a rough and rocky road.

At any rate, Many people have success with Dexedrine. Dexedrine Spansules could certainly be of therapeutic benefit to you. Whether they could be of greater therapeutic benefit to you than Focalin currently is, I'm not sure, but I can think of one sure way to find out.

 

[Jager336]

If your intent is to find a better high, no judgement...

Thank you for that, and it really isn't the main reason I'm asking, just sub-reason :-D . I suppose the only way to find out would be a trial. I just don't want to be stuck with a bunch of Dexedrine that isn't giving any benefit or perhaps only slightly more than Adderall, because that is when the abuse will really come, but I guess that shouldn't be too much a concern since I can always ask to do a 7-14 day trial before completely switching, which I'm sure the physician would rather do anyway. That's probably the best route I believe.

Jumping from stim to stim is definitely a rocky road, you are right on the money about that. Thankfully the only worthwhile one I have not given a shot with is dextroamphetamine, and no matter what I can always say I was on the illusive Desoxyn, so the rocky road is about to finally get paved. :-D Thanks for the input.

 

[olab7]

I'm curious as to whether you guys think I would like Dexedrine, being the "d-side" of Adderall?

Adderall has both the d-insomer and the l-insomer. so dexedrine will feel very similar to adderall but smoother because part of those nasty comedowns with adderall is because of the l-insomer, levoamphetamine. so you should like dexedrine better than adderall

also if you like vyvanse youll like dexedrine. their both dextroamphetamine (d-insomer). also not sure if you knew but focalin and ritalin are methlyphenidate. focalin being the d-insomer of methlyphenidate so kind of different then being a d-insomer of amphetamine

 

[Jager336]

I knew Dexedrine and Focalin were both d-isomers of different drugs, I just thought that because of the good response I had with Focalin when I absolutely hated the 1000 forms of methylphenidate that I would have a similar vastly different response to Dexedrine than the Adderall, but I know it will also be much different altogether. Also I have not liked Vyvanse since being on the Focalin, as I had a retrial of 70mg twice per day (the amount of stims I get is not from exaggeration, I have an abnormally high metabolism with all drugs, not just stims and they truly tend to wear off quickly regardless of how much or little I take) and, as is the case an hour or two after dosing 50mg IR Adderall, I slept like a rock, so I'm curious as to how I'll react on the Dexedrine.

Are Vyvanse and Dexedrine really that similar? The fact that the Vyvanse mangled the 'phetamine' in favor of 'fetamine' threw me off, but I thought they could be similar (lisdexamfetamine vs dextramphetamine).

I do know that any stim in excess will wake anybody up, though I'm curious at what dose that line will be crossed with dextroamphetamine, as well as perhaps being able to get more done physically at directed doses than with Focalin. That line seems to be crossed pretty quick with dexmethylphenidate.

From what I've noticed, amphetamine-type stims tend to be more physically invigorating and less mentally invigorating, whereas dexmethylphenidate (don't ask me about regular ol' methylphenidate as I haven't taken that in a VERY long time) tend to be more mental than physical, hence in my case much more apt for all-nighters while working (as I don't have a physically tasking job, but much more involved mentally) but not for actually getting up and doing much. Thus I'm still debating heavily as to whether I should even give it a trial, I tend to help myself more with figuring things out when I can think straight and concentrate vs. feeling like I need to get up and do something, which having ADHD means I kind of have that feeling anyway and I prefer to focus the energy I already do have into something productive, as opposed to feeling like I have to do something but not being able to do anything at the same time.

I suppose it's really hard to predict how successful or unsuccessful the Dexedrine will be for me, the Spansules are the only form covered by insurance without a prior-authorization, which is fine with me as long as I don't require three per day for therapeutic reasons (forget rec in that regard, as I require whatever I want for rec purposes ), as I needed three Focalin XR 20mg per day while only four 10mg IR per day for the same effect. High metabolic processes have their upside and downside I guess.

 

[unsettled]

Dexedrine wins everytime, however I like it too much, I think the spanules are better from a therapeutic standpoint but they always leave me with a comedown in the middle. Still, Vyvanse, Dexedrine IR or spanules are to me the smoothest and most effective.

For recreation Dexedrine IR

For therapeutic value Vyvanse

I take Ritalin though mainly because I respond well to it and I don't like it too much, I like it, but I don't LOVE it like I do D-amphetamine. I never want to stop taking it when I get started with the dexedrine so I stick to the Ritalin. With Ritalin you got to find your dose, even just ten mgs plus or minus can make a big difference. Also once you get a routine and it balances it out it works very well. (for me anyway).

 

[NeighborhoodThreat]

Dexedrine is more effective in my opinion as well. However, because different people react differently to different drugs, Focalin may work better for you.

 

[Jager336]

Dexedrine wins everytime, however I like it too much, I think the spanules are better from a therapeutic standpoint but they always leave me with a comedown in the middle. Still, Vyvanse, Dexedrine IR or spanules are to me the smoothest and most effective.

For recreation Dexedrine IR

For therapeutic value Vyvanse

I take Ritalin though mainly because I respond well to it and I don't like it too much, I like it, but I don't LOVE it like I do D-amphetamine. I never want to stop taking it when I get started with the dexedrine so I stick to the Ritalin. With Ritalin you got to find your dose, even just ten mgs plus or minus can make a big difference. Also once you get a routine and it balances it out it works very well. (for me anyway).

Not wanting to stop once I get started is how I get with the Focalin. After looking at some more info on Vyvanse and remembering that it's the "prodrug" of dextroamphetamine I wonder if there might be some issues with my body and d-amp. I suppose in the context of why I'm curious to switch that might be for the better, if I can get therapeutic benefit without wanting "more more more" like dexmethylphenidate, and still have something for rec use when I desire it would be ideal, Adderall, Ritalin, even Vyvanse have no rec appeal to me and it's no fun having something that works if you can't abuse it from time to time, as from my experiences I found that when that's the case, like when I have add and vyv, I may feel more inclined to take it as directed but benefit (placebo effect, perhaps) is largely decreased altogether. I think I will ask for a small one-week trial before expecting much, then it doesn't look like I'm drug-seeking as we've talked about the Dexedrine before, and then if it doesn't work out for whatever reason I have the Focalin that can be filled after that week, as I already have the script but can not fill it until the "don't fill before" date on it.

 

[NeighborhoodThreat]

^Good plan. Just because you've talked about Dexedrine before doesn't make you drug-seeking. Just make sure you're getting your prescriptions filled according to local/state/federal regulations.

 

[Jager336]

Yep, funny you say that as I just came back out of a bit of a downward spiral and was starting to fuck up a bit, part of why I'd like something that's more inbetween with regard to rec and therapeutic use. Thankfully I'm getting my shit together again.

Side note: Desoxyn naturally did have value to me, but therapeutic or otherwise it took an ungodly amount of tablets for any effect one way or the other, and people don't look fondly upon somebody taking 15-25 pills in the space of two doses, even though the MG-count is what they should be paying attention to. At a little under 200 tabs a month, that doesn't last very long (admittedly though when taken in those amounts the high is GOOD, therapeutic-wise is still lacking for me).

 

[olab7]

I knew Dexedrine and Focalin were both d-isomers of different drugs, I just thought that because of the good response I had with Focalin when I absolutely hated the 1000 forms of methylphenidate that I would have a similar vastly different response to Dexedrine than the Adderall, but I know it will also be much different altogether. Also I have not liked Vyvanse since being on the Focalin, as I had a retrial of 70mg twice per day (the amount of stims I get is not from exaggeration, I have an abnormally high metabolism with all drugs, not just stims and they truly tend to wear off quickly regardless of how much or little I take) and, as is the case an hour or two after dosing 50mg IR Adderall, I slept like a rock, so I'm curious as to how I'll react on the Dexedrine.

Are Vyvanse and Dexedrine really that similar? The fact that the Vyvanse mangled the 'phetamine' in favor of 'fetamine' threw me off, but I thought they could be similar (lisdexamfetamine vs dextramphetamine).

I do know that any stim in excess will wake anybody up, though I'm curious at what dose that line will be crossed with dextroamphetamine, as well as perhaps being able to get more done physically at directed doses than with Focalin. That line seems to be crossed pretty quick with dexmethylphenidate.

From what I've noticed, amphetamine-type stims tend to be more physically invigorating and less mentally invigorating, whereas dexmethylphenidate (don't ask me about regular ol' methylphenidate as I haven't taken that in a VERY long time) tend to be more mental than physical, hence in my case much more apt for all-nighters while working (as I don't have a physically tasking job, but much more involved mentally) but not for actually getting up and doing much. Thus I'm still debating heavily as to whether I should even give it a trial, I tend to help myself more with figuring things out when I can think straight and concentrate vs. feeling like I need to get up and do something, which having ADHD means I kind of have that feeling anyway and I prefer to focus the energy I already do have into something productive, as opposed to feeling like I have to do something but not being able to do anything at the same time.

I suppose it's really hard to predict how successful or unsuccessful the Dexedrine will be for me, the Spansules are the only form covered by insurance without a prior-authorization, which is fine with me as long as I don't require three per day for therapeutic reasons (forget rec in that regard, as I require whatever I want for rec purposes ), as I needed three Focalin XR 20mg per day while only four 10mg IR per day for the same effect. High metabolic processes have their upside and downside I guess.

yeah i think the company who made vyvanse changed the letters around to not scare parents into thinking it was another amphetamine lol.

sounds like your just more of a dexmethlyphenidate person. although i think you will still like dexedrine. since vyvanse is a prodrug of d-amphetamine it is harder to get a rec value out of it. dexedrine is alot better for that and in the right doses can be theraputic.

you should definetly take the trial just to see. it might give you that good balance of rec and thereputic value.

 

[ct209]

Having also been down your road of trying almost all the stimulants, I definitely agree you should get the trial. Dexedrine is by far my favorite. If I had to guess I'd say the reason you don't like Adderall is that pesky l-amphetamine they throw in there that seems to cause mostly unpleasant side effects. You mentioned not liking the "i need to get up and do something" feeling, and for me that is the main difference between addy and dex, so I think the l-isomer is what causes it. If you like vyvanse, you should love dexedrine...whether that's a good or a bad thing is up to you. I 2nd the motion to not judge you for trying to get more recreational value, we all do. Besides, switching to an amphetamine for 2 weeks couldn't hurt anyways, as it will probably lower your tolerance for when you switch back to focalin.