Today is my first dose.
Q: I'm taking 20mg adderall and I'm feeling drugged and can't express myself at times. Can I half it?
Answers (3)
10/30/08 11:18pm
Your doctor would be a more appropriate person to ask.
That being said, I generally take half of a 20 and then wait an hour to see how I feel. (My doctor supports this as he prefers that I take as little as possible.) I know my body pretty well, and if 10 isn't working, I'll take the other half then. Most of the time 10 mg does OK for me. I'm definitely more prone to side efffects when I take the full pill.
This, of course, is assuming you're on the regular tablets. You couldn't halve the XRs.
11/ 6/08 7:52pm
Yes you can half the dose. I take a total of 40 mg. a day, each pill is 10 mg.
I have found that 20 mg. in the morning will last for a longer period of time and taking
10 mg. and several hours later 10 mg. At times 20mg. seems too much so I will take
10 mg. in the morning, then 20 mg. and depending on the day I might not need the last 10 mg. My doctor allows me to fluctuate myself on how I take my medication to fit my
needs for the day. After a while, your body will get use to a certain dosage and you might not feel the medication is working any longer. If that happens, you can take a break from taken the medication on the weekend. Everyone is different in how medication affects them and what type with work better for them. Also remember the short term (pill) will need 30 min or so to take effect in your body, so you want to take your next dose before the first dose is no longer helping, so you don't have ups and downs all day with your medication and keep a consistent dose in your body. I hope this information helps.
11/ 6/08 10:36pm
My 15 year old son had a similar situation. He has been on Adderall XR 20 mg for about six years. However, when he began taking that dosage at the beginning of this school year (he's not on meds during the summer), he said that he would "feel emotions but couldn't express them." His physician then lowered his dosage to 15 mg (again the XR works well for him), which alleviated this "side effect." However, after a few weeks on this dosage, his ADHD symptoms reappeared to the point that they were affecting his school work. We decided to increase the dosage (back to) 20 mg. He has been doing very well now and has none of the initial "emotional" problems. This strategy should prove successful for you, also! (I'm surprised that your doctor started you at 20mg, as it's recommended that a patient start out at a lower dosage and then increase it only if it is inadequate.) :o)
Important:
We hope you find this general health information helpful. Please note however, that this Q&A is meant to support not replace the professional medical advice you receive from your doctor. No information in the Answers above is intended to diagnose or treat any condition. The views expressed in the Answers above belong to the individuals who posted them and do not necessarily reflect the views of Remedy Health Media. Remedy Health Media does not review or edit content posted by our community members, but reserves the right to remove any material it deems inappropriate.
By Lisa Ashley— Last Modified: 12/24/10, First Published: 10/30/08
Featuring Content From:
By using this service, you accept our Terms of Use. Please read them. The consumer health information on is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment for any medical conditions. You should promptly seek professional medical care if you have any concern about your health, and you should always consult your physician before starting a fitness regimen. Copyright © 2012 Remedy Health Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
