adderall / ritalin/ ampheta - can you take these as needed?

[alice111]

hey guys,

just wondering for those of you who take any of the above drugs can do you take them daily or as needed?

I have been taking the same dose daily for a long time, but recently realised it might be more helpful to not take it on days I know I need to rest. Is this ok to do? or is it like SSRI's where you have to take regularly?

Thanks!

 

[me/cfs 27931]

For years I was told (rather forcefully by one doctor) to take daily. My health deteriorated significantly, and I attribute much of that to daily prescribed stimulant use (Ritalin/Adderall/Vyvanse).

I now keep 10mg Vyvanse for as needed, which is about once a month. I tolerate Vyvanse a bit better than the others, including the XRs.

 

[Runner5]

I was told only to take as needed and try not to take daily or too often because they build tolerance quickly. I no longer take Ritalin or stims, I drink coffee though ;-P

 

[Skippa]

Total layman's answer: tolerance can be avoided/maintained by taking only as needed, and dependance can be avoided by taking breaks too.

So I think that sounds most sensible... BUT... will that treat your symptoms? (Eg I don't know why you were prescribed it)...

So: are there any additional gains to be had by building and maintaining bodily levels that aren't realised by taking a more stop/start approach?

See this thread for some interesting perspectives and a link to a study:

https://www.reddit.com/r/Drugs/comments/3oy3p8/taking_adderall_everyday_vs_occasionally/

 

[alice111]

Total layman's answer: tolerance can be avoided/maintained by taking only as needed, and dependance can be avoided by taking breaks too.

So I think that sounds most sensible... BUT... will that treat your symptoms? (Eg I don't know why you were prescribed it)...

So: are there any additional gains to be had by building and maintaining bodily levels that aren't realised by taking a more stop/start approach?

See this thread for some interesting perspectives and a link to a study:

https://www.reddit.com/r/Drugs/comments/3oy3p8/taking_adderall_everyday_vs_occasionally/

well what I have found to be interesting is if i take dexedrine when I know I am going to be overexerting myself it seems like it reduces the crash significantly!! I would have thought it would be the opposite. but I have now experimented quite a few times and it is definitely the case... why?? that's beyond me...