I've been on Adderall over a year. Though I know I've grown a tolerance to it, it has never just stopped working completely. It hasn't worked for the past 4 days. I tried taking vitamins and tums before dosing and that didn't help either. Does anyone know what could be causing this?
Adderall not working?
Question posted by Lala2017 on 20 March 2017
Last updated on 13 November 2022 by Rshafferr
5 Answers
Rshafferr
14 Nov 2022
I have been taking adderall and other stimulants for a number of years to treat ADD and have had many similar experiences. I very recently learned that stomach acid can affect adderall absorbstion and have been Journaling my last month to see how this affects me, if at all. I take 30mg adderall xr in the morning and 30mg IR around noon, daily. The XR does not seem to be affected noticeably by diet or a meal I've just had. However the IR absolutely has a very noticeable difference related specifically to what I've eaten the hour before and hour after I take it. If I drink a cup of coffee or juice (especially cranberry or orange juice), in that two hour window, it significantly negates the affects of the IR dose. If I eat low acid foods, such a bananas, almonds, etc. Then the IR dose is much stronger, sometimes to the point that it may be too strong.
I have also had acidic and non-acidic foods after taking a couple of days off from adderall and experienced comparable affects. On days I've had foods or drinks that are more acidic, I've also tried taking tums and other antacids and had a similar result as to when I was eating only low acid foods. I would say that the XR may be affected by diet, but it's not nearly as noticeable if so, and the IR is severely affected by the foods/drinks I've had. I've had many doctors and psychiatrists prescribing stimulants for me over the years and only one has mentioned this information to me. I'm not sure if this isn't widely known or if it simply doesn't affect as many others as it seems to affect me. But, it's something that I'd not considered previously and the difference is so significant that I may have my dose lowered now that I know how much of a difference it can make. I had many experiences where i could not tell i had even taken any medication and have since been able to correlate my recent diet to those experiences
and thought i should share this information. I would urge you to speak with your doctor before making changes to how you take your medication. Hope this helps
maryalicepisa
25 June 2020
I have been taking Adderall over 10 years. I have never developed a tolerance or had to change the dosage. I experienced the same problems in 2017 and 2018. Each (or almost every) prescription (generic) I pick up is different and sometimes it is quite an adjustment to get used to. I have experienced bottles of Adderall (IR) that have no effect all the way to one bottle was so strong I could not sleep for 4 days!! The medication is consistent for the 30 days so I know it is not me. This leads me to believe the quality of the ingredients used, the excipients, or ratios or something in the manufacturing process is the cause. In researching generics I noticed that where the manufacturers take a short cut is in quality control. I believe quality ingredients make a HUGE difference. Generics cost my insurance company over $200. and the name brand is 5x that.
Fiendforlife
5 July 2019
Anybody else have an issue with adderall absorption? I have been taking it for 15 years and have gained some insights but I also want to know if there may be some issues unknown to me causing my own problems with absorption.
maryalicepisa
25 June 2020
Prior to 2010 the generics were very good. Since then quality is inconsistent.
Kim53191
26 April 2018
I realize this post is about a year old but I am going through the same thing. And not only is it not working it is making me awful and giving me severe Brain fog, tired, and weak to the point that it makes it extremely difficult to do work. I can understand it not working if I built a tolerance to it, but I don’t understand why it would start having such a negative and counterproductive effect. I even recently stopped taking it for two weeks to see if that would help lower my tolerance so it would be effective for studying for my finals. I’ve been back on it (60mg vyvanse, 20mg adderall boosted in afternoon) for about a week now- first couple days both worked a bit for a few hours when I took the vyvanse, but then I start to crash and mid afternoon I take the adderall IR which used to help me study and do homework through the evening, every time I’ve taken it the past week it makes the crash 100x worse and has no positive effect whatsoever. I don’t understand why this would be the case. Very frustrating because I have to study.
SRK128
28 Aug 2019
I completely relate..since august 2017 I suppose is when it seemed to stop working like it used to for me. I noticed the generic manufacturer is different but not sure exactly when that changed nor if
the timing of that correlates to when it stopped working for me?
chuck1957
22 March 2017
Lala2017; I am so sorry for what you are dealing with. This is much more common than you know!!! I would like to ask one question you taking the tums at the same time if so this can slow down the aBsorshine of the adderall and the same with some Vitamins so if you are taking them all together try and take them a few hours apart. It is okay to take the tums and vitamins together but please take the Adderall by itself. And if that is not the problem call you doctor and get in and have them reevaluate you. Many people have to go through several of these types of medication to find the right on. And if you go to the doctor make sure you take the Adderall in with you to prove you have not taken them all these doctors have to watch what they prescribe very close to protecting their license. The Medical board is after them all the time. I hope this helps and know you are not alone my friend this is a big problem until they get the right one.
Now, remember if you get an appointment with your doctor DON'T FORGET TO TAKE THE BOTTLE OF PILLS WITH YOU. cHUCK1957 ALL MY BEST AND REMEMBER IT'S A TRIAL AND ERROR AND THINGS WELL GET BETTER DO NOT GIVE UP THE FAITH. CHUCK1957
Lala2017
22 March 2017
Thanks so much! I've only taking vitamins and tums at least an hour before my Adderall dose. It's now been about a week since they stopped working. It just truly makes no sense to me whatsoever. I have been wanting to get off it so maybe this is a sign. Again, thanks for your advice and replying to me!
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Further information
- Adderall uses and safety info
- Adderall prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Adderall (detailed)
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