<p>Adderall was definitely the most effective med for our son, but it caused an increasing amount of moodiness and irritability. Now he takes Focalin XR which is not as effective, but the sides effects are much less. It's a difficult trade-off, but we prefer the happier, albeit less-focused young man.</p>
<p>My son tried Ritalin, Adderall extended, and ended up with the short acting Adderall. He doesn't really like taking it, but seems to need it. He recently switched to the new Vyvanse (sp?) and after 2 weeks stopped it and went back on Adderall. The weird thing for him is that the long acting ones make him sleep all day--to the point that he will fall asleep sitting upright in a chair.</p>
<p>So for now, it's the short acting Adderall.</p>
<p>" Vyvance is pretty much just adderall with a few counterions switched around, and is just the adderall company's attempt to hold on to the patent a bit longer. "</p>
<p>Major promotion, at least to doctors, is because of how it is activated in the gut and because it has no "peak" ( drug rep calls it "smoother"), you don't "feel it" it is less likely to be abused/misused. They actually measure a ""Drug Liking Effects" factor that is seperate from the accepted measures of effectiveness like the TOVA, the CPT, and standardized rating scales. I'd guess of the prescriprion drugs, adderall gets the highest "drug liking effect". Until it wears off.</p>
<p>my daughter (hs senior) was on adderall xr couple of years and worked very well but wore off by 3 p.m. and left her irritable and out of it. started vyvanse this summer at m.d.'s suggestion -- reportedly lasts longer-- seems to for my daughter, and less noticeable peak as shrinkrap stated. so far so good.</p>
<p>Our 14 year old son was on concerta two years and hated it....among other things, made him lose his smile and natural laughter. Switched to Vyvance and he loves it. Grades even higher this year, a smile on his face, no complaints except loss of appetite. I think it is trial and error for all, but our nurse has four sons and told me all four have tried Concerta and have gone off of it.......she doesn't like it at all.....</p>
<p>Biphentin is very nice, although it leaves me exhausted when it wears off.</p>
<p>I prescribe these meds to adults; I would say there is no "best"one-but Adderall XR -seems to be the most popular.Those whose insurance covers it, like Vyvanse too. Some of my patients just like taking old fashioned low dose Ritalin in divided doses three or four times daily.</p>