A Guide to ADHD Medications

Okay, I’m going to get right to the point here. As you can imagine, this thread’s purpose is to be a resource, a FAQ of sorts, regarding every ADHD medication commonly used, except the very rarely seen pharmaceutical methamphetamine.

In each section, you will find a list of current brand names, history of the drug, therapeutic doses, and recreational doses. At the bottom there’s a bit more information.

Drugs Used To Treat ADHD

* Methylphenidate

Brand Names: Ritalin, Ritalin SR (sustained release methylphenidate hcl), Concerta (sustained release as well)

History: Methylphenidate was patented in 1950 by the Ciba Pharmaceutical Company. It was originally indicated for depression, chronic fatigue, and narcolepsy. In the 1960s, Doctors began prescribing it for minimal brain dysfunction (MBD, today know as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder or ADHD). Now methylphenidate, most commonly known as Ritalin, is the most commonly drug prescribed for ADHD.

Effects: Methylphenidate is a cNS stimulant. A fairly weak one. Most people consider the comedown to be pretty bad considering the relatively mild effects.

Therapeutic Doses: Concerta (sustained release methylphenidate) is available in 18, 27, 36, and 54 milligram doses. Ritalin is available in 5, 10, and 20 milligram instant release tablets, and also a 20 mg sustained release tablet.

Recreational Doses: Start at 40 milligrams. But really, methylphenidate isn’t even worth abusing in my opinion (maybe I’m just spoiled because of my Dexedrine prescription…). It feels like a headache.

* Dexmethylphenidate

Brand Names: Focalin, Focalin XR (dexmethylphenidate sustained release), Metadate, Methylin, Rubifen

History: Dexmethylphenidate is simply the d-isomer of methylphenidate. It has been around for the treatment of ADHD about as long as methylphenidate. Unfortunately not much more information seems to be available, as this is one of the least commonly prescribed ADHD medications.

Effects: Dexmethylphenidate is a CNS stimulant. The means the effects are basically the same as methylphenidate, allthough it is considered to be about two times as potent.

Therapeutic Doses: Focalin XR is available in 5, 10, and 20 mg capsules. The instant release tablets are available in 2.5, 5, and 10 mg doses.

Recreational Doses: Since the basically inert l-isomer of methylphenidate is not included in this drug, only the more powerful d-isomer is used. Meaning doses of dexmethylphenidate should be have that of methylphenidate.

* Amphetamine

Brand Names: Adderall, Adderall XR (both are combined with dextroamphetamine)

History: Amphetamine was first synthesized by German chemist L. Edeleano under the chemical name “phenylisopropylamine”. The first medical use of amphetamine was in the 1920s when it was marketed as Benzedrine, an over the counter inhaler. It was very commonly abused, so in 1959 the FDA banned amphetamine except for those with prescriptions. Amphetamine has a long history of military use.

Effects: Amphetamine is a CNS stimulant. Users become more alert, develop a strong sense of well-being, talk alot, and feel very motivated. The amphetamine comedown is not fun; basically, you feel depressed, sometimes lonely, possibly a bit hopeless, and in general, “down”.

Therapeutic Doses: I’ll go into this in the Adderall sub-section.

Recreational Doses: Once again, I’ll go into this in the Adderall sub-section.

Adderall: Yes, allthough Adderall is not an independent chemical it gets its own section because it contains more than one chemical.

Adderall is made up of dextroamphetamine saccharate, amphetamine asparate, dextroamphetamine sulfate USP, and amphetamine sulfate USP. This means adderall is 50% amphetamine and 50% dextroamphetamine… however, amphetamine is 50% levoamphetamine and 50% dextroamphetamine. So, that means Adderall is 25% levoamphetamine (the weak stuff) and 75% dextroamphetamine (the good stuff).

Adderall is available in 5, 7.5, 10, 12.5, 15, 20, and 30 milligram instant release tablets. It is available in 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30 milligram sustained release capsules (Adderall XR).

First time recreational doses usually start at 20-40 milligrams.

* Dextroamphetamine

Brand Names: Dexedrine (Avaiable in instant release and sustained release), Dextrostat, Dexampex, Ferndex, Oxydess II, Robese, Spancap #1

History: Dextroamphetamine is the d-isomer of amphetamine. It has been prescribed under the brand name Dexedrine since the 1950s. Dexedrine is the pill the US Air Force currently gives to pilots to help them remain focused and alert.

Effects: Dextroamphetamine is a CNS stimulant. Dextroamphetamine basically has the same effects as amphetamine, allthough many users describe the Dexedrine high as “cleaner” and a little more euphoric (more powerful sense of well-being). It is generally considered to be about one and a half times more potent than amphetamine.

Therapeutic Doses: Dexedrine instant release tablets are available only in 5 milligram doses. Other brands such as Dextrostat make 10 milligram instant release pills. Sustained release Dexedrine (Dexedrine Spansules) is available in 10 and 15 milligram doses.

Recreational Doses: Similar to Adderall. Most people take at least 20 the first time.

Other Topics

* Addiction

All the drugs mentioned here can be addictive, some more then others. Actually, they’re more or less in order of least addictive to most addictive. The addiction is mostly psychological, and is feeded by the fact that during a comedown the only thing that can truley bring you out of the comedown (besides high doses of other drugs) is another dose.

* Negative & Side Effects

Amphetamines usually make people alot more “open” – sometimes people say, do, or plan to do things they regret later after the sense of well-being dissapears. Amphetamines can increase blood pressure, breathing rate, and heart rate to a dangerous point for some people. It may also cause an irregular heartbeat. Anybody with heart problems or blood pressure problems or anything like that should stay away from all stimulants. “Speed dick”, the name given to the inability become erect, can also occur.

Chronic use can result in dry and / or itchy skin, acne, “speed bumps” (sores, much more common with methamphetamine use than use of any of the drugs here), and psychosis.

* Overdose

A person who has overdosed on an amphetamine may show one or more of these symptoms: extreme aggressiveness / defensiveness, fast or irregular heartbeat, fever-like sympotoms, convulsions and / or twitching, and psychosis.

If you take too much amphetamines to the point were you are very uncomfortable (but not in danger of dying – and you have to be careful here, there is no fine line), try to calm yourself down by counting to 10 in your head or out loud slowly, talk to friends, watch TV, just try to do familiar things that might make you feel calmer. Take a headache medicine or nausea pill, but do not take a benzodiapene, barbituate, opiate, or anything like that – that’s like trying to drive a car forwards and in reverse. Not good for your heart.

If you have a more serious overdose, phone 911. If you are worried about how angry your parents or loved ones will be, just remember that dying is much worse for you and your loved ones, and they will be happy you were responsible enough to get help.

If you are around a friend (or anyone) who displays symptoms of an mild overdose, be very nice and try to comfort the person. If the overdose is serious, for example if the user is showing symptoms of psychosis or going into convulsions, just phone 911 right away.

* Methods Of Ingestion

Most prescription stimulant users swallow the pills or chew them. Chewing them or parachuting (wrapping crushed pills in toilet paper or rolling paper or putting it in a capsule or whatever) results in a shorter onset and will allow the amphetamines to absorve a little better than just swallowing.

Snorting any pill is generally not a good thing to do. Here is a list of inactive substances in Adderall XR, the most commonly abused form of prescription amphetamine: galatm capsules hydroxypropyl methyicellulose, methacrylic acid copolymsr. opadry beige, sugar spheres, talc, and triethyl citrate. Gelatin capsule s contain edible inks, kosher gelatin, and titanium dioxide. The 5 mg, 10 mg, and 15 mg capsules also contain FD&C Blue #2. The 20 mg, 25 mg, and 30 mg capsules also contain red iron oxide and yellow iron oxide. It’s not smart to put that in your nose. Snorting this stuff alot will damage your nose, sometimes to an unrepairable state. That said, snorting amphetamines does give a bit more powerful (allthough shorter) high. If you choose to snort, please try to get instant release pills, and don’t do it often.

Injecting pills isn’t smart.

I have not plugged anything, so I can’t tell you much about that. I do know it is a very effective means of absorption, as good or better than snorting. And much better for your health.

While smoking pure amphetamines is very effective, obviously smoking a pill isn’t smart.

* Extra Notes:
-When it comes to being prescribed medication for ADHD, the lowest dose is usually tried first.
-If you’re wondering why I didn’t include methamphetamine (Desoxyn), it’s because that is extremely rarely prescribed. And when it is, it is usually for narcolepsy, not ADHD. So that information isn’t really that important as most people will probably never have access to Desoxyn.
-If you or a family member has a history of heart or blood pressure problems, in fact, any circulatory problem, do not use these drugs.
-If you have low will power amphetamines will suck you up like a fucking milkshake and ruin your life.
-According to RXList.com, the following conditions contraindicate amphetamines: “Advanced arteriosclerosis, symptomatic cardiovascular disease, moderate to severe hypertension, hyperthyroidism, known hypersensitivity or idiosyncrasy to the sympathomimetic amines, glaucoma. Agitated states. Patients with a history of drug abuse. During or within 14 days following the administration of monoamine oxidase inhibitors (hypertensive crises may result).”