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AIBU?

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Original poster

Is this normal for Elvanse?

53 replies

nidhi99 · 15/11/2025 21:13

Has anyone else had this experience when starting Elvanse?

First dose is 30mg. Taken yesterday and today. Don't feel anything for four hours or so. Then it suddenly kicks in. Feel wired, like my eyes are wide (they aren't), jaw clenching, jitteriness, super chatty, energetic, nauseous, and like I want to go out dancing and have just taken a load of mdma (without the hallucinogenic effects!) - disclaimer, I haven't done any sort of illicit drugs for many many years, and don't even drink alcohol or caffeine these days. Then, crash around 8 hours later. Not awful but just a bit drained. Sleep has improved ten fold (though appreciate it's only been one night). I think I was naive and thought it would be a little less.... Intense?

Has anyone else had a similar experience? God knows what it's going to be like when I start taking 50mg in two weeks!

Would it be daft to stop before I've given it a chance? It's actually a really quite nice feeling despite the nausea, but I'm a bit concerned about how rollercoastery it is!

OP posts:
cheeseandbranston · 15/11/2025 21:23

No, it shouldn’t feel like that. Go back to your psych. Maybe 30mg is too high. 30 makes me feel like I’m on speed, but 20 is just the level of sharpness and focus I need to get through a busy day. There’s loads of other options too. Elvanse is a steady release - it should kick in about 30 mins after you take it and feel pretty steady

Original poster
nidhi99 · 15/11/2025 21:25

cheeseandbranston · 15/11/2025 21:23

No, it shouldn’t feel like that. Go back to your psych. Maybe 30mg is too high. 30 makes me feel like I’m on speed, but 20 is just the level of sharpness and focus I need to get through a busy day. There’s loads of other options too. Elvanse is a steady release - it should kick in about 30 mins after you take it and feel pretty steady

I eat it with a big meal and pharmacist said it can take 90mins-3 hours to kick in properly with food. I think what I'm experiencing is the peak.

OP posts:
NurseP · 15/11/2025 22:04

My 10 year old takes 30 mg elvanse, we find it takes about 1 to 2 hours to fully kick in. He did increase to 40 but he seemed quite agitated at times so we dropped back. 30 is the standard starting dose although some people do start on 20. If you find 20 is right for you, is there a reason you can't stay on 20?
My son changed from ritalin, which was brilliant for him until about 5pm, but we just needed something that lasted a little longer into the evenings for him and elvanse is meant to be 12 hours. We do find the evenings easier now.
Hope you fi d the dose that works for you

NurseP · 15/11/2025 22:05

Sorry , just realised not the op who tried 20! Multi tasking fail!!

Robotindisguise · 15/11/2025 22:09

No, that sounds much too much. Are you entirely sure you have ADHD? I’ve never heard of a reaction like that from someone taking ADHD meds, but it sounds like what I imagine an NT person taking speed would experience…

INeedAnotherAlibi · 15/11/2025 22:12

I started on 30 mg. It made me feel quite..wired to start with. Quite intense, super alert. I did adjust. I had a a review after a few weeks and found it was less effective and I moved to 40 mg. I’ve stayed there except for the week before my period when I take 50 mg. If you’re in titration, I’d speak to your prescriber about your side-effects.

FuzzyWolf · 15/11/2025 22:16

Other than a lack of appetite I wasn’t really aware of feeling different on it although my DH noticed that I was.

I would keep going and see if it settles in a few days.

Original poster
nidhi99 · 15/11/2025 22:24

Robotindisguise · 15/11/2025 22:09

No, that sounds much too much. Are you entirely sure you have ADHD? I’ve never heard of a reaction like that from someone taking ADHD meds, but it sounds like what I imagine an NT person taking speed would experience…

Yes, I am.

OP posts:
hopsalong · 15/11/2025 22:25

The drug starts to be metabolised (it’s a prodrug) within an hour. Maximum effects should be 3-5 hours after taking it. Personally, I wouldn’t even notice 30mg — I could take it before bed with no difference. I have taken stimulants of one sort or another for a long time. But 30mg is not a high dose. You shouldn’t be feeling massively wired or odd, just a clearer-headed version of yourself.

You may not have ADHD.

wheresmymojo · 15/11/2025 22:29

No. I’m on 40mg and don’t feel anything like that… I’m also wondering if you definitely have ADHD as it seems like more of an NT response.

Bruisername · 15/11/2025 22:29

My dd is on 40mg - kicks in within the hour but effects have worn off by early afternoon and not sure where to go from here! Has impacted her appetite and sleep.

it does sound like it’s not impacting you the way it should if you do have adhd. Are you sure the diagnosis is right? I don’t know who diagnosed you but perhaps you have a more nuanced diagnosis and adhd has been a lazy answer from them?

there are other meds you can try though - perhaps a non stimulant would work better. But you can discuss with your prescriber and see their take. If you are worried about how you are feeling on the 30 and not sure about continuing then get in touch with them asap

LoveSandbanks · 15/11/2025 22:30

hopsalong · 15/11/2025 22:25

The drug starts to be metabolised (it’s a prodrug) within an hour. Maximum effects should be 3-5 hours after taking it. Personally, I wouldn’t even notice 30mg — I could take it before bed with no difference. I have taken stimulants of one sort or another for a long time. But 30mg is not a high dose. You shouldn’t be feeling massively wired or odd, just a clearer-headed version of yourself.

You may not have ADHD.

I'm on 70mg and barely notice that! 30mg would have absolutely no affect on me at all!

wheresmymojo · 15/11/2025 22:30

TBH 40mg barely impacts me TBH

BertieBotts · 15/11/2025 22:40

There is no such thing as a "neurotypical response". It's totally normal for stimulant medication to make you feel basically high the first time you take it. They usually start people on methylphenidate for this reason because you can get it in as low as 10mg.

The entire point of the titration process is to start on a dose that's too low to be effective and then slowly taper up so this isn't the experience. Some right to choose providers seem to have this policy of starting with Elvanse and going very quickly from 30-50-70 and I think it's mad. I felt so incredibly weird just on 10mg, I can't imagine starting on 30 the first time ever, and jumping 20mg at a time is a big jump. My usual dose has been 40/60mg at various times. But I'm very sensitive to changing the dose and that was even stronger the first time. DS1 seems to have the same reaction.

Original poster
nidhi99 · 15/11/2025 22:41

I've been diagnosed twice, once privately and once NHS. It's weird because it's mainly physical symptoms. Inside my head after the peak it's like a weird silence I've not experienced before. Kindof like that inner monologue is gone? But it's like I have to go through that 1-2 hours of jitteriness to get there. I'll update on how I feel tomorrow.

OP posts:
Original poster
nidhi99 · 15/11/2025 22:43

BertieBotts · 15/11/2025 22:40

There is no such thing as a "neurotypical response". It's totally normal for stimulant medication to make you feel basically high the first time you take it. They usually start people on methylphenidate for this reason because you can get it in as low as 10mg.

The entire point of the titration process is to start on a dose that's too low to be effective and then slowly taper up so this isn't the experience. Some right to choose providers seem to have this policy of starting with Elvanse and going very quickly from 30-50-70 and I think it's mad. I felt so incredibly weird just on 10mg, I can't imagine starting on 30 the first time ever, and jumping 20mg at a time is a big jump. My usual dose has been 40/60mg at various times. But I'm very sensitive to changing the dose and that was even stronger the first time. DS1 seems to have the same reaction.

Yeah from the reading I've done tonight it seems to have this effect on a lot of people who respond well to other meds, decided to try long acting but went back to other meds. I'm certain I have ADHD. In fact, it's quite severe.

OP posts:
Bruisername · 15/11/2025 22:47

My dd struggled on methylphenidate as it gave her terrible rages as a side effect

the Elvanse is ok but can’t get it to last a full day

so now not sure what to try - her being on meds does worry me but she does need it

it’s tough and I’m sorry you are in this position - I’m sure you will find the right thing for you but please speak to your prescriber

BertieBotts · 15/11/2025 22:48

IME it did settle down as my body got used to it. I would definitely speak to your provider though especially before moving to 50mg if that is the plan. You might need to start on a lower dose and go more slowly.

You can open the capsule and dissolve it in water then drink half the water, the other half can be kept in the fridge for the next day. That's what they do if you need an even lower dose than 20mg. Obviously check with the actual doctor before deviating from their advice but might be worth a try.

Original poster
nidhi99 · 15/11/2025 22:53

It could be because I've eaten literally nothing all day, but I just can't. It makes me so nauseous.

OP posts:
GoodThings2025 · 15/11/2025 23:13

Have it with protein and eat every 3 - 4 hours. You need to eat on it or you will just get anxious.

Mounj25 · 15/11/2025 23:17

I don’t think so. I’m on 50mg and it’s doing bugger all 😣

Bonden · 15/11/2025 23:53

that dose made me feel a bit more like doing stuff - the washing up, brushing my teeth, making that call I’d been putting off for weeks; but not jittery or nauseous. I feel it kick in about 45 mins after I take it. It wears off late afternoon when I feel vv tired. Gives me insomnia too.

dizzydizzydizzy · 16/11/2025 00:57

I take 50mg in the morning and 30mg around lunchtime. I find it kicks in straight away.

For me, 30mg wears off after 3 hours 50 minutes.

It gives a feeling of calm and focus.

FullLondonEye · 16/11/2025 01:21

I’m on 70mg and don’t feel wired at all but stimulants aren’t right for everyone with ADHD 🤷‍♀️. I think it’s a bit too soon for you to write them off yet but if it doesn’t settle down after another week or so then maybe try non-stimulant meds instead.

PumpkinTwistyWindToots · 16/11/2025 02:16

My DH found 30mg great, then they put him up to 50mg after 2 weeks and he felt a bit like you described so he went back down to 30 and that seems right. Maybe it's just too high a dose. I think it's a bit silly of PP asking if you definitely have ADHD- it's not an exact science dosing meds! You've only had 2 days on it too, you'll build a tolerance. His prescriber suggested that he open the capsule and empty it into 50ml water then dose himself with 30ml - you could try that and take 20mg tomorrow?