focalin dosing (in comparison to adderall)

[Gormur]

Sorry for bumping a somewhat old thread, but i've been searching far and wide for an answer to this, if even just an answer that gives me a basic idea of the difference/equivalence of the two-- specifically Focalin IR and Adderall IR

I've been on ADD meds for the past 3 years; Vyvanse 70mg + Adderall IR 30mg then switched to just Adderall IR 30mg 2xday (60mg)... Now it's time to change it up again. So, starting next month:
Adderall IR 30mg (1xday) + Focalin IR 10mg (1xday)

My original script was for Focalin XR 20mg, which i had to have changed to Focalin IR 10mg - since i can't afford the XR... but the psych only wrote it for 10mg 1xday instead of 2xday; providing no explanation for this change

My guess is this won't be enough unless i can manage to split it up like - 5mg 2xday. My original guess was that 10mg Focalin IR was roughly equivalent to 20mg Adderall IR

Thoughts, experiences and opinions more than welcomed

 

[hydroazuanacaine]

you get your own thread.

 

[Addyman]

In terms of therapeutic effects

Focalin IR is roughly equivalent to Adderall IR (excluding the fact everyone is different)
In recreational terms, Focalin is more similar to cocaine, Adderall more similar to Methamphetamine, not much comparison

70mg Vyvanse = 28mg Dexedrine Spansule = 37mg Adderall XR (Dextroamphetamine equivalent)

 

[Gormur]

I have a sense that it's become bad netiquette to post such updates / bump threads in BDD. If that's the case, I apologize in advance and please feel free to change/move this thread or post accordingly if so...

My experience over the last week.. Note: YMMV

Generally-speaking, this Focalin IR seems about 1/2 the potency of Adderall IR mg for mg - that is, when plugged. Intranasally, it rivals Adderall in potency. Insufflation of 10mg (5mg per nostril) feels subjectively similar to insufflating 15mg of Adderall IR - in terms of clarity of thought, enhanced perception, focus and motivation

Of course the duration of effects is fairly brief no matter the MOA. Curiously, the MOA seems to have little effect on the duration - at least for me. Taken orally, it simply makes me tired and crash within an hour - no other effects felt

For me, the only way to use this med effectively is to re-dose (e.g 2.5~5mg) every hour or two while on Adderall. Then when the Adderall wears off, begin the cycle once again.. In this way, it works very well.. especially since the nasty crash from taking higher doses is avoided

Hope that helps someone. I'm not sure that i'll continue with the Focalin unless i can have my dose upped to 10mg 3-4x day (30-40mg), since as it was before I was taking Adderall 30mg 2xday (60mg)....... Luckily that's still what i'm scripted, but i just wanted to try something else to see if i could lower my intake of Adderall for a while

EDIT: Does anyone know the highest prescribed dose of Focalin IR? I thought of something like:

Focalin IR 10mg 3xday + Adderall IR 30mg 1xday

 

[olab7]

Hmm I don't think I've ever heard of a methlyphenidate medication being perscribed with an amphetamine

 

[NeighborhoodThreat]

^Me either...seems sort of counter-productive.

I'm not a doctor though...

 

[Gormur]

Really? I've heard from various people that it was somewhat common practice a few years ago. No idea on the validity of that statement tho..

Anyway i find it a very effective combo - only if the Focalin is dosed after the Adderall tho.. It seems to have a sort of reinforcing effect that enhances the properties of Adderall and increases duration a bit

But as i said, the duration of Focalin is pretty inconvenient for day-to-day functioning.. so increasing the Focalin and decreasing the Adderall may be an option