Generic Adderall Brands (Top voted first)

I am very concerned and confused about why generic Adderall brands are so all over the place!! I usually get Aurora brand and I'm fine with it but last month I got this corpharma brand crap, it made my stomach ache and gave me a headache! It was terrible. Back on Aurora brand and I feel better again but wtf is up with this BS?! I'm thinking about having my dr write no substitutions on my script and just pay for the name brand adderall. I've tried it in the past and it is by far superior. Motivation, concentration, and energy are all together with minimal side effects. Anyone relate?

REPLY

REPORT

Yep, it's a huge problem (variation in effectiveness) and it's gotten worse over the years. Main problem. With generics the FDA allows up to 20% difference in the "main", active ingredient. You'll find the widest variation in CorePharma and Aurobindo (personal experience and educated opinion) and the least variation in Sandoz followed by TEVA/Barr. Related to the variation in the "salts", different companies use different "fillers" and some have worse side effects than others. Again the same companies are the "worst" and the "best". There's test results etc. on the web and Sandoz uses the least amount w/least side-effects. 3rd. Variations occur not only between brands but at times between "batches" and the FDA does not have near enough inspectors to investigate, etc. unless a LOT of people complain.. Years ago, Teva and Barr were the "best" and very consistent. After the merger, that has changed. The companies based in India (CorePharma, Aurobindo and a few others) do not have as good of quality control as Teva and Sandoz. Many psych docs and definitely legislators and the media and the general public don't understand that a generic for blood pressure, etc. is very different for a generic that affects brain chemistry and a host of co-morbidities (depression, social anxiety, etc., etc.) that go along w/ADHD/ADD that makes it very difficult to find the right "mix" due to brain chemistry, etc. This is one of a number of areas where lack of access to the "brand" makes a HUGE difference in the outcomes but the insurance companies run the show and the buyers for the drug store and other pharmacies are focused almost completely now on cost/profit. It used to be you could "special order" the brand that worked for you with little problem at multiple locations. Now you can't find anybody (at least not CVS, nor Walgreens, nor Walmart, nor Kroger, Safeway, etc.) that will do that. In my area (north Dallas) Walgreens will "always" carry Teva/Barr. I used to be able to get Sandoz at Safeway/Tom Thumb. Now almost all of them only carry Core (the worst for me) or Aurobindo (not much better for me and my kids). If you can afford or your insurance will let you, get the "brand", do it. But for most, the cost of Brand (TEVA) ranges from $300 to $400 for 30 20mg or 30mg even with insurance. That's a huge difference from the $50 to $80 that the generic will cost and it's not right. You have to educate yourself and you have to complain and you have to search your local area and talk to your Dr./Psych and make sure s/he understands your problems. Best of Luck!

REPLY

Was this helpful? 24

Thanks for your input, I appreciate it. I originally a while back always got the Teva brand adderall but then my pharmacy changed to aurobind brand. They aren't as effective but no side effects like the core pharma brand crap. I just am getting sick and tired of all of the BS with psych meds, I want PA to fully legalize medical marijuana so I can get a particular strain, say one for energy and one for anxiety, which is now actually a reality. In Colorado for example, their medical strains of MJ can be prescribed for your certain ailment exactly to the T. Amazing, energy strains, insomnia strains, anxiety ect... And no withdrawal symptoms! What other drug with such potency can you say that about, no physical withdrawal even with heavy use or abuse. Psychological sometimes, but nothing like running out of benzos or taking Vicodin after breaking your leg for a week, that's all it takes, and when the course is done your body goes into withdrawals, potentially starting a vicious cycle or reawakening an old one. But anyways, for now MJ is not legal fully in PA so I'll just have to keep popping s***ty addys and my 1mg Clonazepam at night with doxepin. Oh yeah and my neurontin 600mgs 3 times a day.... Everything seems to be backwards in this country. Especially the medical field and the marijuana policies. Legalize it and please at least make good quality amphetamines so I can go to work everyday!! Yeah right.. Gracias amigos y me amigas! Lol ??

REPLY

Was this helpful? 12

That was very detailed and helpful. It seems the past year the adderall generic are all switched around and it used to be consistent. I would get the orange football ones or pink round and now it's all different. Scary what they put in medication, the binders. Etc.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 10

Yes! But now the "name brand" are the same manufacturer as the generic so you feel like hell either way! :( it's crazy and making everyone who seriously has add crazy. I was better off before I ever started on this horrible downward spiral with these new generics and now the so called " name brands"! For years I was doing better than ever now I'm just sick and tired with zero personality. Are they trying to kill us off or what?! Wish I could just stop but then I'm really in a mess. Damned if I do and damned if I don't take them.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 9

I've never even heard of Aurora. Let me ask you this. Is adderall generic or otherwise an new thing for you or have you been prescribed this medication for awhile?
I think it's pretty stupid of them to be trying to give anyone who has been taking this medication for a long time new brands that are weaker because it's so freaking obvious to us what is going on. Unless we are all somehow prejudiced or biased. But since my mom and I have both been on the same medication , we have each other to compare our notes to and same pharmacy

REPLY

Was this helpful? 7

There is a large difference in the generic adderall, both the instant release as well as the extended release. The IR generic which are by far the best hands down is those manufactured by Sandoz! Sandoz also was granted by Shire to produce the generic form which is the original formula of the XR and production began in 2017. Previously Teva had this privilege and both the generic made by Teva and the brand made by Shire were one and the same. Sandoz now provides XRs that are excellent.

The absolute worst instant release is made by core pharm. They are pink and cause all manner of side effects, such as tight muscles, discontent, mental fog and an overall dysphoria that I would say it actually has no benefits at all. I had experience with Actavis XR and my experience was that they didn't work and I found that even if I took above my dose it still was not any where near the efficiency. I gave this manufacturer 2 months in case it may have been "all in my head". The reality is that Actavis XR are garbage and overwhelming number of people experience this same outcome. This is also true for the pink Corepharm IR, these are truly brutal to experience and I can't believe they allow them to be on the market! Do you really believe different fillers alone create corepharm dysphoric nightmare? I don't. Steer clear of both Actavis and Corepharm. I was able to get CVS to special order me Sandoz, both the XR and the IR. What you need to do, is ask if the pharmacy can special order generics, (which many of the big chains most certainly can) They will reply with a yes and only then tell them you would like them to order Sandoz Adderall.

The Pharmacist at a Mom and Pop pharmacy explained to me that they can no longer absorb the differing costs and now tend to go with the least expensive whereas chain pharmacy will be able to absorb the cost due to it's size along with keeping customer satisfaction. I struck out initially with these big chains being told they couldn't get sandoz. Mom pop Pharmacist explained to me that when inquiring at the big chain like CVS ect. I should first ask if they could special order generics without revealing what drug yet. Only after given the answer of yes should I reveal what drug I need special ordered. I left his store went up the street to the CVS doing exactly as he advised and have been taking Sandoz brand for a year now. I really feel for everyone here because I know what a complete nightmare this can be and what absolutely criminal is that we pay much more for insurance only to find their allowed formulary restricted quantities along with tiered bulls*** leaves quality medicine out of reach for many of us. I really am grateful that my choices weren't just Actavis, and Corepharm. I find Aurobindo to be acceptable, a bit edgy at times but far better than Corpharma. Hope this helps.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 5

The instant release does not have a name brand. Shire the original manufacturer of Adderall told me that Teva was the one handling the I R. My doctor wrote me prescriptions so I could get 3 or 4 to see which brand would work best. I found that Activist stimulated you the best but it wore off very quick and then they had a recall and now no one in my town has it. I tried Core and it shot my blood pressure sky high in a few minutes with no focusing in the brain. I tried Teva but it does not let you have the mental clarity as the Shire but they only make xl. Teva was also caught for having Tylenol and tramadol as their active ingredients. The Aurobindo brand was worthless. I would like to try the Sandoz brand but I would have to travel over a hundred miles to get it. So I have just been making do with the Teva B 974 logo. When I go back to the doctor I will get a script for the xl and use the Brand Name Shire which I know works. My problem with that is not being able to sleep.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 4

Re: Sufferingsinglemother (# 6)

Exactly these round u30 peach circles give no concentration but make me feel poisoned and a extreme. Kidney infection. My dr always writes teva brand preferred and I’ve always got that but the last month they mixed the good teva with these worthless u34 my whole body aches and I feel poisoned and I’ve never had a bad kidney infection but these gave me a busting headache and severe infection. What is in these for real??? Why is my pajama y going against dr advice?

REPLY

Was this helpful? 4

Is there such thing as an IR (instant release) version of "real" Adderall?? Meaning the prescription bottle will actually say "ADDERALL" on it? NOT "Amphetamine-Dextroamphetamine"? I know my cousin takes "real" Adderall XR and the pills actually have the name "Adderall" printed on them. But I didn't think you could get it in IR for some reason.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 3

Re: Benjamin (# 12)

Crush it up in a fine powder put it in apple sauce or chocolate pudding. Kid will never know the difference

REPLY

Was this helpful? 3

Re: James (# 21)

Recently diagnosed but received Mallinckrodt and broke out a severe allergic reaction.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 3

Re: Cynthia jenkins (# 27)

https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/medwatch/

Everyone experiencing these problems PLEASE fill out a medwatch report form!!

REPLY

Was this helpful? 3

* My story, like a lot of us we've had our share of terrible generics... And "How dare you ask questions about generic or anything these days!!", or you're looked upon as a dingdong...

But my answer to me having a consistent manufacturer was finally I called a small independent drug store (they can order anything), and I explained the problem of being given a different generic without my consideration in mind, and I've been there ever since...

Ps - If you ever have a problem with a medication at a chain pharmacy, you demand the number to the main manager over that store and it will take some sound words, but I had cvs jerk me around and w/greens and every time I was victorious!!! *** if you are in the right, they will handle it. At least the 3 times I was given the wrong generic, after my body had been taking the other for yrs., and even tell them put in your file.... Amen and god bless all of you.... Remember ,*we are not doormats...

REPLY

Was this helpful? 3

Totally! I'm getting a round yellow generic for Adderall 30 mg. They are a joke. They make me feel like crap. Makes me sick to my stomach. And that's about all it does.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 3

Re: jckinswo (# 1)

Very well written and informative post here. So I have a question, well background first. I've only ever taken Corepharm, Teva/Barr, and Sandoz generics. . . In that order. Sandoz is now apparently scheduled to be discontinued, which makes me sad as it's the one I prefer by far. I can take the Corepharm; it just has a higher side effect profiles for me. The one made by Teva/Barr I will never ever take again. It was horrible. But my question, if Teva now makes the name brand Adderall, have you taken both that and the generic they make? How would they compare?

I would be so reticent to trying it because of my bad experience and because according to Daily Med, they contain the exact same fillers.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 2

Adderallmillionare (# 13) & Benjamin (#12) --

Adderallmillionaire knows his stuff! This is true for both the instant release tablets and the XR beads (open the capsule carefully and try to get most of the beads given onto two or three spoonfuls of the applesauce, pudding, yogurt, etc..DO NOT stir it into the whole serving and do not "save" remainder for later.) Interestingly, i've read that the reason TEVA generic IR tablets are completely sugary tasting (All my fellow AD/HD sufferers whose pharmacy offers TEVA knows what i'm talking about) as soon as they hit the tongue is exactly for being able to administer it to children with AD/HD, so they're not getting an offensive medicinal taste. Good Luck!

REPLY

Was this helpful? 2

@Alex: Excellent idea! Thank you for being the 'calm voice of reason' and leading this research project, which will benefit us all. I suggest that we *also* post a new discussion for maximum viewing (and hopefully, maximum response!) Additional postings in some ADD discussion threads may be useful as well. I also suggest adding one more thing, e.g. #5: "Your insurance/method of payment, and how much did it cost?" because some pharmacies don't take certain insurance, but might offer the best deal even paying cash out-of-pocket. I'm thinking of Costco, which is incredibly cheap and you don't have to be a member, AFAIK. Alex, I'll be glad to put some effort into this in hopes of getting some good responses. My usual Kroger pharmacy just informed my husband that they can't fill my prescription because they're out of my usual medication and probably won't be carrying it anymore.

Until today, I WAS taking: Aurobindo IR (instant release) 20mg round pale-orange tablet. From Kroger/King Soopers pharmacy, just west of the Denver metro area. It was free under my insurance, Medicaid.

My evaluation: Overall, meh. Didn't keep me up at night like XRs do. Moderate appetite control for 8-12 hours. Ability to focus: Extremely meh. Side effects: Immediately after getting my monthly prescription filled, the first few doses might give me a very slight dry mouth. This leads me to believe this particular medication degrades when exposed to air. I keep my medication bottle in an old thermos, in the basement during the summer, and in an unused guest bathroom during the winter, to maintain storage temperature between 59-65 degrees, so I'm sure I'm protecting it from any degradation due to light or excess heat.

Anyway, I'm going to be calling pharmacies in my area to find one that carries (or can order) a quality generic IR Adderall. I can't use Costco because they don't take Medicaid, and FYI if they know you have Medicaid they won't dispense anything to you even if you pay cash. Maybe this is an idiosyncrasy of my weird state, Colorado?

REPLY

Was this helpful? 2

Re: James (# 21)

Hello, James. This month I detected a change in the potency of TEVA 30 mg. I can't get outta bed today, with this new prescription. I am wondering whether you live in California, and you are aware of Core Pharma manufacturing the product again. I'm also wondering if anyone recently has attempted to get approval from insurance to cover the Brand form, apparently also made by TEVA now. All my forms and pamphlets indicate I may seek pre-approval for the Brand, but I wonder whether anyone has experience with the process..

REPLY

Was this helpful? 2

I picked up my prescription for generic Adderall 10mg yesterday at a local CVS pharmacy. They are usually blue in color and I’ve had no issues with them. This last prescription is a much darker blue and the color rubs off on my fingers and hands. It also feels like I’m taking sugar pills…they don’t do a thing. I believe they are bad. Anyone else have this issue? Where do I report this??

REPLY

Was this helpful? 2

Totally. I’m only 4 months new to the Rx and started with Lannett. Found Teva for month 3 and 4 and now now pharmacy carries it. I read Teva bought Lannett. Or maybe it was the other way around. Some of the generics are so bad and the stress every 21 days of calling it in and having the pharm tell you it’s yet another brand (crappy brand) im already so stressed out about it all in just 4 months. I have no idea what’s going on.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 2

Is the round pink 30 mg Adderall generic name Sandoz/Eon with the markings of CDR 136 on one side more or less effective...

740 REPLIES

Just wondered if anyone else has gotten a prescription filled with a round peach pill imprint U 31 on one side, and quar...

68 REPLIES

Looking for a XR 30mg generic coupon. ## Coupons are not available for generic medications, by the very nature of their ...

27 REPLIES

I have been taking Adderal for many years, the orange oval generic pill. My last prescription had white R 351 pills. I n...

22 REPLIES

Generic Adderall XR manufactured by Actavis is not the same formulation as was used by Shire/Teva. The efficacy of the d...

14 REPLIES

Has anyone used the Mallinckrodt. I have never even heard of it, and have taken the other generics with moderate success...

13 REPLIES

who makes the generic adderall 20 mg round orange tablet - I need to find out who actually is the manufacturer so I can ...

8 REPLIES

Which is the better generic company? I just got GLOBAL and they are like taking sleeping pills. I'm sleeping 20 to 2...

8 REPLIES

I recently got my generic adderall filled from a new pharmacy. The bottle says its amphetamine 20 mg tab MAL. It has a 2...

8 REPLIES

I have a few questions about Adderall and the exact perscription I am taking. I'm brand new to adderall and would li...

5 REPLIES