Q:  Trying to Stay on Track w/Prescribed Amount of Adderal

My dtr was diagnosed as bipolar many years ago. She is now 40 and is treated with Adderal, Klonopin,Cymbalta & Lamictal.  We are having a hard time keeping her on track with the Adderal. She frequently has to take "an extra" adderall to get through the day. This means we run out before we can get the next refill. That means we have a really bad week without adderal as she cannot work.  Is there anything out there that is not a narcotic that she could take as the "extra" boost on bad days so we can stay with the prescribed amount of Adderal consistantly? Is there anything else we can do to help her?


Dear Ms. S' --

I should probably not even begin to answer this one, as my usual knee-jerk reactions are too likely to be irrelevant to your daughter' s situation. I have very little experience using stimulants in bipolar disorder patients (adults, my practice), as I only use them when patients' mood symptoms are completely controlled. That may have nothing to do with your question. Sorry about that.

Dr. Phelps



Published July, 2007