r/ThisAintAdderall

I have completed my first week of being on 40mg Name Brand Vyvanse after having been on 40mg of the Generic. With Brand Name I swear it feels like my meds have been switched out for a sleeping med. No matter how much sleep I get the night prior I am ready to sleep 3-4 hours after taking it when it should be at its peak. With the generic I would take it 1 hour before I wanted to get up and then magically spring out of bed ready to start the day. Now I wonder if I am better off not taking my Vyvanse at all with how exhausted and scatterbrained I feel. With the generic I started to only need my Adderall booster occasionally but now I need to take it twice just to maybe be functional for like 2 hours.

The only thing that has changed since I started feeling this way was my Vyvanse brand. For me I have found the Amneal Generic to work best so hopefully I will be able to switch back soon because this is not sustainable at all.

Has anyone else experienced something similar??

I just discovered this sub and im so astounded!!! For at least a few years now i figured that i must have developed a tolerance to my medication.

I distinctly remember when i first started taking adderall that i felt genuinely capable for the first time in my life. My work still took forever, but at least i had the energy to see it through to the end! Now its like i have to formulate the exact right setting for myself to even get a workflow going, and its still a toss up if ill actually be able to get anything done.

Sometimes i almost feel like going med free would be better because, even though my overall attention would be scattered, there wouldn’t as much of a “time window” from the meds effectiveness.

Half of the time i take my meds these days i get this brain fog or tiredness in the first half of the day.

Now here i am finding out that everyone else is gaining weight from their meds??? Wtf. I really thought that i just “overcame” the appetite loss side effect. Ive gained 20 lbs over the last few years and it is so difficult to lose it.

Back in the day i literally had to force myself to eat! I could only eat certain foods too because i just couldn’t swallow or something… idk im sure you guys remember the feeling.

Even more irritating is this new craps effect on my sleep. I used to be able to take my meds anytime up to 5pm (if i was studying) and still eventually get settled in bed. Now if i dont take my meds early enough, i will literally be awake until the wee hours of the morning. It makes no sense.

You’d think with how rich and powerful these companies are, they’d probably have someone monitoring or checking in on what the public is saying. Or maybe they’re at a point where they don’t care bc of how powerful and untouchable they are.

What do you think their reactions are to us screaming and agonizing over how our lives have been destroyed impacted?

If our drugs don’t start getting better soon, or maybe it’s too late for all of us. They fucked up but also have shown us how little human lives mean to those in power.
They’ve taught us to keep theorizing with that in mind. They’ve taught us to trust nobody.

These companies and those in charge are real monsters. Disgusting.

2008-2020

TEVA ADDERALL INSTANT RELEASE TABLETS.

By the way, the brand name recipe was discontinued in 2010,

Fun fact:

Teva has owned brand name and it has been same recipe as generic since 2008. Shire sold the patents and rights to barr pharmaceuticals in 2008 and barr had their own generic , then teva bought barr, it is still bars recipe to date (barr being the first generic mfg in the world) it was not authroized. Shire tried to sue for their generic having the sweet taste and being distinct among patent and rights violations but lost in court, then they sold to barr. Shire only owned XR until 2019 when they sold to takeda

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Part 1: Why Teva Was the Only “Good” Generic (2008–2020)

Between 2008 and 2020, patients consistently reported that other generics (like Mallinckrodt or Rhodes) caused extreme anxiety, physical jitters, or felt entirely inactive.

Teva avoided this due to two specific aspects of Barr’s original design:

The Sweetener Buffer (Saccharin Sodium): Barr uniquely formulated its tablets with saccharin sodium and compressible sugar to give them a distinct, sweet taste. Beyond masking the bitter chemical taste, saccharin alters the microscopic pH environment of the tablet as it dissolves.

Because amphetamine absorption is highly dependent on pH (acidic environments reduce absorption; more alkaline conditions can increase it), Teva’s specific binder matrix acted as a gentle chemical buffer.

The Uniform Dissolution Profile: Teva mastered a binder blend (using precise ratios of microcrystalline cellulose and corn starch) that caused the pill to break down at a remarkably smooth, linear rate in the stomach.

It didn’t dump the drug into your bloodstream all at once. This gave patients a smooth onset and a clean, predictable focus window without an immediate physical crash.

⸻

Part 2: Why It Switched to a “Completely Different Feeling” After 2020

If you are taking a pill from a Teva bottle today and it feels like a different chemical altogether (causing headaches, brain fog, sudden exhaustion, or panic instead of focus), it is often attributed to changes in manufacturing rather than simply a reduction in strength.

1. Inactive Ingredient (Excipient) Sourcing Shifts

When global supply chains broke down, pharmaceutical companies could not always obtain their usual high-grade inactive binders and fillers. Teva had to source excipients from alternate suppliers to keep production moving.

The Polymorph Effect: Even if an inactive ingredient has the exact same name on paper (such as microcrystalline cellulose), its particle size, density, moisture retention, and crystalline structure can differ depending on the manufacturer.

The Result: These differences can change how the tablet dissolves. If it dissolves too quickly, drug absorption may occur faster, potentially increasing side effects. If it dissolves more slowly or inconsistently, the medication may feel less effective.

2. Precursor Purity and Synthesis Changes

The U.S. government tightly regulates amphetamine production quotas. During shortages, manufacturers sometimes had to rely on different suppliers for raw materials.

Small differences in manufacturing impurities or byproducts—while still required to meet regulatory specifications—could theoretically contribute to differences in tolerability for some patients, although this has not been conclusively demonstrated.

3. Rushed Manufacturing & Mechanical Pressure

To address shortages, manufacturing plants increased production.

The Tablet Compression Variable: The force used to compress powder into a tablet affects its hardness. Differences in compression can alter how quickly a tablet breaks apart in the stomach, potentially affecting how the medication feels.

⸻

Ultimately, many patients report that the medication feels different today than it did before 2020.

The global chemical supply chain did not simply pause during the pandemic—it changed substantially.

Supplier Attrition: Some specialized chemical manufacturers exited the market or shifted away from producing lower-margin generic drug ingredients.

The Sourcing Reality: Generic drug manufacturing operates on extremely thin profit margins. Companies like Teva often establish long-term contracts with suppliers that can produce ingredients more economically.

As a result, there is little financial incentive to return to older, more expensive supply chains if current suppliers continue meeting regulatory requirements.

Can anyone help me find a specific post from this page? It was the post of the Google or Apple Maps photos of what the Sun pharmaceuticals and API companies look like in India. I don’t see it anywhere and I feel like it got taken down which is kind of suspect. so if I just can’t find the link could someone please share it?

The reason why I think it’s taken down is that it was one of the top posts on this page and so it should come up when I search for it but it’s not.

I was about to talk mad smack about these generics to my mom who is a retired pharmacist and I couldn’t find the post anywhere! Can’t lose my credibility now.

Does anyone get sad in the evening after taking Vyvanse? I was fine for the first couple of weeks, but now, without fail I will have this sort of emotional spiral in the evenings as the drug wears off and just weep.

OK, so I had my doubts on this topic… I justified the decreased side effects and efficacy of Adderall due to my long-term use and high tolerance. However, this past week, I was at the hospital, and they gave me namebrand vyvanse and namebrand instant Adderall. OMG - I got so freaking geeked! it was unbelievable! I felt like I was in college again. The cottonmouth… The icky comedowns.. the cigarettes cravings.. I experienced it all. It was amazing and also alarming. One of the nurses asked me if I noticed any changes or differences in my medication‘s and I told her that my stimulants were 10 times stronger than normal and I asked her if she hears that a lot and she said yes.

I have a feeling that many of these generic companies are not using the right type of amphetamines or at the very least, they will find significant dosing discrepancies. This goes beyond conspiracy theory… Adderall aids in executive function and is a tool for people with learning disabilities and sleep disorders.

I’ve thought a lot about this, and I think the only way we may be able to have testing done on generic Adderall vs. namebrand would be to have a law firm Perform the actual tests since they have the power of the subpoena. If we are right, this could be a very lucrative class action suit for the law firm and also all of us victims who’ve had our livelihoods disrupted.

I now 100% believe that this is not in our heads and that’s something significant has changed in the production of generic stimulants. It is illegal, it is negligent, and it is fraudulent.

I personally know that my performance at my job has significantly decreased over the last five years and it’s largely due to my meds not working the way they should. What kind of (quantifiable) damages have you experienced?

I received my prescription yesterday evening and noticed I had a new manufacturer- granules (this is a super common occurrence for my pharmacy). I looked it up on here last night and I saw mixed reviews. Took it this morning and all i can say is WOW. **This is the closest generic I’ve ever had that compares to the OG pre 2020 Adderall** For reference, I take 30mg XR daily.

After I took it, I didn’t get that buzzing sedated feeling 30 mins later where I have to take a nap as it’s kicking in. 30 mins after taking it, I felt slightly jittery and awake, with subtle stomach butterflies, and sweaty palms and armpits (this is always a sign it’s kicked it 😅). Im feeling refreshed, motivated and in a great mood, just like I did on the old stuff.

I have a feeling the people that don’t like the Granules adderall, never had the OG adderall, but rather, used to this inconsistent BS they’ve been pushing because this is pretty damn close to what the OG adderall felt like.

So far this is my fav manufacturer. Hopefully my pharmacy continues to use this manufacturer, and hopefully it stays consistent with each refill.

Curious to hear other’s experiences with granules Adderall XR. Especially if you’ve experienced the OG, pre 2020 adderall.

Common sense would be using natural, gluten free and safe inactive ingredients. That would only benefit us, and not their damn greedy motives! So they add all these dyes, and additives to appeal as colorful. And the more manufacturers the more competition.

I thought I would share the only pill formula that works for me, like old times! I paused medication in 2023 for my pregnancy and in 2024, I noticed that the formulas had changed. I have tried 5 different formulas. the ONLY one that works, and I mean works perfectly well, is:
the Sandoz, dark blue, 10mg IR pills.
They are ‘amphetamine salts’, NOT dextroamphetamine. Any of the ones labeled ‘dextroamp’ might as well be a sugar tablet to me.
Also all of the Extended Release capsules were like sugar pills. Even name brand adderall ER. I could take 60 mg and take a groggy nap. I’m interested to hear if anyone else has success stories with the Sandoz 10mg IR, or any of the ones you’ve had success with.💙

So idk wtf has happened with Teva but the 20s i got this month are probably close to the worst meds ive gotten yet and at the beginning of the year that was not the case for me. Ive only gotten them 3 times this year. 15s that were good, 20s that were good, but these 20s. Like wtf, these are horrendous. And they are no longer light peach, they are dark. Anyone else noticing this?

No joke, ended up in hospital w afib, I have other things going on & believe it was the perfect storm -stress, meds (decongestants w add) and lack of sleep, dehydration.

I absolutely regret going to the hospital, feel like I coulda figured it out on my own w propranolol. I am fine, no longer short of breath & exhausted. Finally got a good night of sleep. Working w a sleep dr that my psych recommended. Just terrified of my next psych appt. Wondering if my dr will be notified of hospital stay.

I am freaking out y’all. Any words of encouragement?

Ps. Long time Adderal user (20 years) was diagnosed in childhood but my parents didn’t keep me on meds although we tried when I was 11.

ADHD sucks. It can suck a fatty!

PSs. I deal with inflammation & that’s another factor in this perfect storm freak accident of the afib storm.

Got my doctor’s appointment, explained everything that happened, how I felt like I was going crazy because my meds weren’t the same. I was on generic Addy from Elite Laboratories for years and had no issues with it until last month.

HE KNEW EXACTLY WHAT I WAS TALKING ABOUT!!!!! 🤯🤯🤯🤯

He said he’s been getting a lot of patients with issues with generic Addy and I’m not alone. And it is ‘up to the manufacturer’s digression’ on what kind of fillers, dyes, etc. they put in them. It can cause negative side effects in people. Showed him the pictures of my mild face and neck rash, talked about how itchy and hot and agitated I was, racing heart, and feeling off. He said he’s happy to get me brand name Addy.

Well, my insurance didn’t want to cover it (blessing in disguise) so he suggested Vyvanse and I’ve been taking it and I could just cry from how well it works (even better than when my generic Addy was still working or even brand name). It’s so much smoother and I feel less wired.

I know this is not a solution for everyone but if you can’t get brand name Addy or even if brand name Addy isn’t working for you, I think looking into other ADHD meds with your doctors could help some of you.

I feel so much better and I hope everyone here can get the help they need, too. 🥺

I have an appointment next week and I’m ready to abandon ship because I’m tired of feeling like shit. I started on generic Adderall 4 years ago and it was perfect for two and a half years. I was on 10mg XR in the morning and 10mg XR in the afternoon and felt perfectly supported through the day, no side effects. I started to notice some edginess (anxiety, shakes, and irritability after ~2 hours of my morning dose) a drop in focus, and insomnia and changed my dose to 20mg XR in the morning and 10mg IR in the afternoon. I still feel exactly the same, if not worse, with time. I want to try another medication because I don’t think regulations on generic manufacturers are going to change any time soon and I don’t want to pay for name brand. Has any of you switched to a new stimulant and been happy that you did?

hey guys, what a week it has been. The trip to Victoria was beautiful. Honestly, I thought I was going to Victoria to rule out any issues with the actual ingredients or dosing. I was pretty convinced it was all abuse deterrent or just shitty manufacturing and problems with the excipient leading to reduced or zero bio availability. The shorting of the actual API was a little shocking to me, but also validating. We know these pills aren't f*cking working.

So-- I finally convinced a lawyer to take my case. He specializes in dealing with the FDA. I found him because I downloaded a list of every citizen's petition to the FDA since 2022 and then uploaded it to AI and asked it to give me all the petitions about prescription stimulants. Only one came back. And it was this lawyer who filed it. So I figured he might know how to help me. I had a great talk with one of his associates today. Here's what we're doing: 1. I want to get info on the chiral ratio of the pills. Specifically the pills that are under dosed. I have a theory that they left the D out lol. Meaning the dextro amphetamine. Adderall is composed of four salts in equal amounts. so for a 20mg pill it has 10 mg dextro amphetamine (5 each of two different amphetamine salts) and 10 mg racemic amphetamine (5 of two different salts). Racemic means it has equal parts Dextroamphetamine and levoamphetamine. That makes the total ratio 3:1 which is what makes adderall adderall. My theory is that on the underdosed pills they couldn't source the D so they were just like "oh, well" and left it out. That means the ratio for the under dosed pills will be 1:1. Which is basically street speed. Anywho. These tests will take a few weeks or more.

I also am experiencing some crazy side effects. Crazy back of the neck tension headache, tired, grumpy, emotional, and i can't seem to enjoy alchohol (why can't I spell that) or catch a buzz and my wine tastes funny. I think it's extremely unlikely that they've put naltrexone in our adderall, but because my symptoms are bizarrely like someone spiked my life with naltrexone, I did take a urine test for it yesterday. I doubt I will piss positive for it, but I need to rule it out.

anyway--- thanks for coming to my TED talk. Ask your non ADHD partners to read this for you if your meds aren't working. love you all.

https://preview.redd.it/c8owgkwzywah1.jpg?width=1148&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=1d4c290bf438829f482a41c0f4709f80e37d49aa