Stimulants Vyvanse/Dexedrine Question - Need Feedback Please!

[crakkattack]

I currently take 70 mg Vyvanse once daily for my ADD. However, due to my insurance no longer covering it's high non-generic cost, I'm having to try and switch to something else.

So I guess my first question is there an Extended-Release version of Dextroamphetamine other than Vyvanse? Because in my experience, Dextroamphetamine is far superior in terms of therapeutic value and lack of side effects in comparison to Adderall.

I have been on Adderall IR before but I did not like the crash and having it last only a few hours after each dose. But if I were to get on the XR form of Adderall, what would be an equivalent dosage to the 70 mg Vyvanse I am on now?

My last question is if I were to get on the Instant-Release form of Dexedrine, what would an equivalent dosage be to 70 mg Vyvanse once daily? I know that Dexedrine IR comes in 5, 10, and 15 mg capsules. So would it be a twice daily dosage like Adderall IR is?

I would greatly appreciate some experienced feedback in this matter, because I really hate the fact that I can no longer afford the Vyvanse because it truly works wonders for my ADD. I just want to make sure that what I substitute it for will last me throughout the day, yet still be strong enough. Because I'm on the maximum dosage of Vyvanse and I know that if there were say a 90 or 100 mg capsule, it would probably work better, for my tolerance has gotten higher as I've been on it for some time now. My appointment with my psychiatrist is tomorrow, so quick feedback would be so, so great. Thanks in advance!

 

[opiatekrzy]

I have health insurance and I was pretty upset they didn't cover vyvanse, so I figured ok well at least I can try Dexedrine again, same Problem, my insurance wouldn't cover it either....vyvanse breaks down into dextro-amp, so if you don't have vyvanse coverage I would doubt would have Dexedrine coverage aLL. bases on my theory they won't cover d-amp..
Idk speaking for myself

When I and no health insurance I was forced to pay for my ADHD medication...adderall IR was dirt Chesp compared to XR version, talking hundreds of dollars for XR , while IR is under hundred. Dexedrine I'm. It familiar with price but since it has beads like XR adderall I assume its pricey but not nearly as bad as adderall, IR dextro amphetamine also m known as dextro stat is affordable

 

[JaneCalli]

I also take Vyvanse for my ADD. I'm wondering just purely out of curiosity why it is that you want these questions answered before you meet with the psychiatrist? Do you not trust the psychiatrist to give you the answers you are looking for? Or it is that maybe you want answers from people who have actually taken the medications for their ADD? Just curious. I understand the wanting to know your options and doctors having no idea what the pills feel like or what ADD feels like.

 

[bunnyrabbitz]

Well, no. It wouldn't be equivalent because they are different amphetamine isomers. Theoretically you could switch but it would be marginally different affects. Talk to your doc about it.

 

[crakkattack]

Yeah I guess I just wanted some feedback from people who have tried other ADD meds or been in a similar situation. I'm going to discuss it with my doctor, but I like to be knowledgeable of these things before I go into it. I'm not trying to doctor shop or anything like that.

I called my insurance company and they did say that they had coverage on Dexedrine SR (Sustained Release). So hypothetically speaking, would taking a 15 mg Dexedrine SR in the morning then one more in the late afternoon be at least comparable to taking one 70 mg Vyvanse in the morning? Because the Dexedrine SR comes in 5, 10, and 15 mg doses from what I understand.

Ritalin, Concerta, and Focalin I've all been on and don't work well due to horrible side effects and just overall lack of potency.

I suppose if it comes down to it, I could give Adderall another whirl. I was on 20 mg twice daily, but it just wore off so dang fast. I've never tried Adderall XR, though. Could anyone give me some feedback based on experience as to how well that worked for them? Like would an Adderall XR 30 mg dose twice daily provide adequate therapeutic effects to someone like me that takes 70 mg Vyvanse once in the morning and it's just barely still doing the trick?

I appreciate any feedback guys, thank you. This is just really stressing me out not being able to be on my Vyvanse which has done wonders for me.

 

[bunnyrabbitz]

Welp, I've never been on vyvanse besides recreational, but I can say that the best you can do is talk to your doctor. Everyone elses doses are different and each drug can have a totally different effect on others.

 

[BlueHues]

They did used to have "dexedrine spansules" time release capsules, but as far as I know, Shire stopped producing them shortly after they put Adderall on the market(made by the same company)...I'm pretty sure there's a generic IR version of straight dextro-amp still, unless that was discontinued too...

 

[dwamn]

they make 15mg extended release dexedrine

 

[BlueHues]

^Really? Maybe I'm confused about exactly what was discontinued...I know the infamous "orange triangles" are no more(IR dexedrine), and I thought the spansules were phased out in favor of Adderall, but straight D-Amp is far superior if you can get it...

 

[crakkattack]

Yes, there are 15 mg Extended Release Dexedrine capsules. I am hoping my doctor will try me on them, because I've always heard that it is hard to get Dexedrine prescribed. If he won't do it, then my only other option that will have any therapeutic effect would be to try the Adderall XR 30 mg. Does anyone have experience taking the Adderall XR 30 mg, and if so, how often did you dose throughout the day, twice? Thanks for any feedback guys, I really do appreciate it. I just want to make sure I can find the best alternative to my Vyvanse. I freakin hate the fact that my insurance dropped it.

 

[piller97]

So I guess my first question is there an Extended-Release version of Dextroamphetamine other than Vyvanse? Because in my experience, Dextroamphetamine is far superior in terms of therapeutic value and lack of side effects in comparison to Adderall.

Vyvanse is a prodrug and as far as i know, its the only one of its kind atm.
I do believe there is extended-release dextroamphetamine, though i have no experience with it as I've principally been prescribed Adderall.

I have been on Adderall IR before but I did not like the crash and having it last only a few hours after each dose. But if I were to get on the XR form of Adderall, what would be an equivalent dosage to the 70 mg Vyvanse I am on now?

Personally 70mg seems decently high to me....but if i had to guess id say somewhere around 40-50mg of extended release dextromamp.
(If i remember correctly, the bioavailabilty of Vyvanse[28%] requires it to be prescribed in a larger doses than its non pro-drug alternatives, so i wouldn't be surprised if your doc opted for a lower dose if you change meds)


As far as Adderall vs. Vyvanse/dextroamphetamine, personally I've always found adderall XR to be more effective for me. I do use IR dextroamphetamine to supplement the Adderall, but alone, it never makes much difference.

I was only on vyvanse for a brief period of time and i loved it, though even at a relatively low dose, i didn't sleep for 3 days and resulted in a number of other unwanted side effects.


I empathize with your situation as the cost of Adderall XR and Vyvanse are extremely high. I have been fortunate enough that my health insurance has always covered the cost.


Have you ever tried any non-stimulant alternatives?

~p