Any experience with Adderal XR?

My DS has been on Vyvanse but is finding that is wears off and homework is a challenge. Dr. tried having us add a short acting Adderall in the afternoon but, by the time he gets home to take it on days when he has activities, it lasts too long and makes it hard for him to fall asleep. Dr. wants us to try switching to the Adderal XR over Feb break. Just wondering if you find that it really lasts longer than the Vyvanse. What do your kids use to keep them focused through homework?

My now 28 year old son was on Adderal for years. When he was 15, we switched him to the XR. Within two days, his entire personality changed and I walked past the bathroom on the third day and caught him trying to strangle his littlest brother, who was 6 at the time. The doctor said it was a very rare reaction to the XR and as soon as he was off it and back on regular Adderal, he returned to his normal, docile but fairly distractible sweet self.

Last fall, he decided to go back onto meds after having been off them since HS graduation. The doctor prescribed XR and I freaked out. I had a long talk (HIPAA waived) with the doctor, who knows my entire family and he changed it back to regular. As it turned out, my son’s insurance company wouldn’t cover the XR, so it was a moot point.

My son’s reaction was very rare, but since it can happen, please keep an eye out if you do the switch.

Thanks @techmom99 - that was one of my concerns. DS had a bad reaction to Concerta so I am very wary of switching medications.

My 12 year old son has been on the generic form for several years, 5 or so at least. It has worked very well for him with very few side effects. He has some loss of appetite, but other than that, it’s been great. His dose has only been increased once, and that was about 3 years ago. It’s not working as well this school year, so I’m going to ask the doctor to up it to 20mg at his next appointment.

My S (a senior) changed from Adderall XR to Concerta ER at the start of high school. Concerta was supposed to last longer but I’m not sure he noticed any difference between the two. I’m surprised to hear that someone who was fine with Adderall had such a bad reaction to XR!

His solution was to not take a lot of classes with boatloads of homework and that has worked out for him. He’s never done a “booster.” I figure it will be easier to manage in college when he doesn’t have to take his dose at 7 a.m.

@eg1234 - good point about the dose timing in college. I just hope he can remember to take it!!

We started the XR Tuesday. I have not seen any bad reactions. It’s hard to tell if it is working bc we are on school break but dr. thought it would be a good time to switch in case he has a problem. Fingers crossed!

Mine takes Vyvanse at 7 am and Adderal at 3 pm. No sleep issues.

@eh1234 -

My son’s doctor said that his reaction was extremely rare. I am glad about that because I would hate for anyone else to ever have to go through with it.