[beautifuldisaster78]

Okay I need some understanding here. I took Dexadrine for awhile. Then off stimulants for a long while when I moved to a new state and my primary dr. would not prescribe them. I now see a psychiatrist who will but gave me Adderall instead. (not sure why).

It was almost a year between so I can't say for sure but it seemed the Dex worked a little better as for as keeping me awake anyway, and less depressed. (it's prescribed for treatment resistant depression and chronic fatigue, not ADHD).

However, according to my understanding, Adderall is a combination of four different stimulants INCLUDING Dexadrine. So why would anyone have a better experience with Dexadrine than Adderall? (with the exception of side effects). Wouldn't Adderall be much more potent because you get Dex plus the other three? I don't understand.

[Jerrypharmstudent]

Hello!

Dexedrine is just dextro-amphetamine

DEXTROamphetamine is the "right side" of the stereoisomer of the amphetamine molecule. The "left side" is LEVOamphetamine. Dextroamphetamine is the metabolite of the new ADHD drug Vvyanse.

Adderall is a combination of four amphetamine salts:
- 1 - amphetamine aspartate monohydrate
- 2 - dextroamphetamine sulfate
- 3 - amphetamine sulfate
- 4 - dextroamphetamine saccharide

I actually take Adderall for the exact reason - treatment-resistant depression, etc.

Many people say they like Adderall better because it brightens their mood better but it's up to personal choice and how it works for you. But yes, Adderall is Dexedrine PLUS you could say.

Hope this helps!
Jerry

[sunrise]

Originally Posted by beautifuldisaster78

So why would anyone have a better experience with Dexadrine than Adderall? (with the exception of side effects). Wouldn't Adderall be much more potent because you get Dex plus the other three? I don't understand.

Are you taking the immediate onset form of Adderall or the Extended Release (XL) version? If you are taking Adderall XL, that might be the reason for the switch. The longer acting version is supposed to be "smoother" than the immediate release (it contains 2 different types of beads that release the medication at different times). In this sense, Dexedrine would be more similar to the immediate release version of Adderall. So you might get more of a "jolt" from Dexedrine or Adderall immediate release than you would from Adderall XL.

This is similar also to one reason for having the 4 different amphetamine salts in the product, whether it is XL or immediate release. The 4 different salts are metabolized (broken down in the body) at different rates, so again, it should be smoother than a medicine with just one type of amphetamine salt (Dexedrine), whether it is the immediate release or XL version.

So I wonder if what you are feeling is a smoother onset of action when you say that Adderall doesn't work as well for you as Dexedrine. One solution might be a stronger dose of the Adderall. The smoother onset of action is also an advantage because it makes the drug less prone to addiction/abuse. (This is also a selling point for Vyvanse.)

Have you talked to your pdoc about the difference of how you feel Adderall is working for you compared to Dexedrine? Your pdoc might want to adjust your dose, the dosing schedule (if you are on the immediate release version), what foods you take it with, etc.

[Jerrypharmstudent]

Sunrise has some great facts and I'd like to add to what was said:

Dexedrine (dextroamphetamine) is actually more potent than pure or "racemic" amphetamine. Remember that Adderall is a combination of dextroamphetamine and amphetamine SALTS not PURE amphetamine (racemic amphetamine.) Like sunrise stated, these salt versions usually cause for less overall stimulation because they are broken down slower - over time.

Dexedrine is more closely related to methamphetamine in potency but not in neuro-toxicity when compared to pure amphetamine (racemic amphetamine).

I've been on both Dexedrine immediate release (IR) and extended release (XR) and Adderall IR and XR. For me, both versions of Adderall were "smoother" and lasted longer and brightened my mood better whereas Dexedrine IR made me really focused for a short amount of time and then crash! Dexedrine XR was similar to Adderall XR except that it didn't brighten my mood as well. Currently I take 20mg of Adderall IR 3x daily. I would be on the XR but my insurance doesn't pay for it.

Just as an aside: Vyvanase or lisdexamfetamine is basically an inactive form of Dexedrine (dextroamphetamine) coupled with the essential amino acid L-lysine.* It was basically made to only metabolize when broken down in the GI tract (because of the lysine portion of the molecule.) When it breaks down, it turns into dextroamphetamine - but it won't break down any other route except via swallowing it - rendering it useless if snorted or shot directly into a vein, etc., to cut down on abuse potential - which leads me to sunrise's comment about its marketability.

So finally, to help better answer your question: Dexedrine is pure dextroaphetamine - NOT a salt version - so it can pack more of a punch than Adderall which contains a VERSION of Dexedrine - a dextroamphetamine SALT - thus less of a punch but better over time. And as Sunrise said/asked - the effect you get most likely will depend on the dose and the IR or XR formulation.

I hope I didn't confuse you more - if I did let me know!!

Jerry

*taken from WIKIPEDIA