Generic Name: Azstarys (dexmethylphenidate-serdexmethylphenidate)
For ADHD "I have switched from Vyvanse to Azstarys in the hopes that it would eliminate my appetite issues and have a reduced comedown that Vyvanse can bring sometimes, and just to generally feel more like myself. I definitely feel more like myself on this medication. My appetite is definitely helped. I’m not too serious or angry on this medication like I was with Vyvanse. It lasts for about 10-12 hours in my experience so far. Definitely helps me focus better than with Vyvanse, and be more outgoing with people at work as well. For example, my first day on it at work, I made a customer laugh which I normally wouldn’t do on Vyvanse. I don’t feel like a robot on this medication. I’ve been on every single ADHD medication that exists, and this is the best for my body and mind."
For ADHD "Azstarys did not work for me. I took Vyvanse 60 mg for 6 years and my wife’s job changed and she’s the insurance provider. Vyvanse went from $40/month to $110 even with a coupon. Although I can pay for it, I decided to try something new. The doctor had me try Azstarys highest dose 52/10, and it barely worked. I had horrible headaches and felt flat, and my wife noticed I wasn’t laughing and making the smart-ass comments that she loves. My coworkers kept asking me what was wrong. I felt foggy and just not myself. I called my doctor, and he urged me to keep it going for the month if it was tolerable enough, so I did. I went back on Vyvanse, and it felt literally like a breath of fresh air."
For ADHD "My 8 y/o son takes Azstarys for ADHD. He takes his medicine at about 7:30 a.m. Previously, he was on Focalin ER, which was good for about 8 hours, then would completely drop off, so we had to give him a dose of the short-acting Focalin in the afternoon if he was going to need to do anything in the late afternoon requiring focus, like homework or sports. When that wore off, he'd be really grumpy. Now, on Azstarys, he's good all day. In the late afternoon, from about 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., there's a very slow, gradual decline that feels very natural and still allows for him to be adequately functional. Then, by bedtime, it has worn off. Plus, he's eating more! So, big thumbs up for Azstarys."
For ADHD "Only my second time taking Azstarys so far, but it seems like the best ADHD med/stimulant-type med I’ve taken so far in terms of health impact and effectiveness. From research, it seems that methylphenidate and dexmethylphenidate (and -ser- as well) are more healthy long-term / less hard on your body and brain compared to amphetamine meds. Yet, Azstarys in particular is very smooth but effective to me. I also suffer from a lack of motivation and fatigue issues (partially due to having mild obstructive sleep apnea), and I find these much improved and sustained throughout the day from Azstarys so far. I do want to take 1-2 days off weekly to avoid the common plague of tolerance development - which always happens for me over time with literally any man-made medication I’ve taken. I am hopeful and looking forward to living life with some more pep in my step while knowing I’m not doing a ton of detrimental damage to my body and brain. Good luck! Hope this med works for you if you try it :)"
For ADHD "I have prescribed this medication to multiple children who need a methylphenidate medication that lasts throughout the day and homework time, those that have appetite effects on other stimulants, and those that have a tough rebound effect when the medication wears off. I have found this medication to last long enough with a smooth come down. Kids don't really feel it wearing off compared to other stimulants. It's still too soon to know if the appetite benefits are there.... I can update soon."
For ADHD "I have tried generic Focalin XR and Vyvanse and have been on Azstarys for about 6 months. It is the only stimulant that I have not experienced horrible side effects with. It’s steady throughout the day and i don’t experience “crashes” with it. I still have my appetite, no dry mouth, no insomnia and no anxiety. I will say it’s very different from Vyvanse in a sense of the energy it produces. It feels very smooth and almost like I’m not on a stimulant and speedy. I have thyroid issues and that may be why I don’t experience much of an energy boost but I’ll take that over being too wired anyday."
For ADHD "I'm a 37-year-old woman, diagnosed 2 years ago. Azstarys is the first stimulant I've taken. I've been on the 39.2/7.8 mg dose for 4 days. I am noticing no improvements with focus or motivation. I feel slightly more tense body-wise (finger tapping more, clenching my jaw, shoulders feel tight). I feel very flat emotionally and just want to scroll social media all day. In fact, my motivation to go to work or the store has been worse these past few days on Azstarys. Today feels like one of my extra low executive function days. No appetite or sleep issues, but it's not working either."
For ADHD "I was on Vyvanse 70 mg XR past 2 years and always take 2 hours before it starts working and it never fully helped me with icus control or my rambling whee I go off subject talking to people. I started with Azstarys 2 month ago and I noticed the difference within 3 days. The instant release in 30 minutes is real and does work. I'm able to focus on a continuous thought and on occasion I will start to go off topic but apologize and go back on topic I was discussing. It works continuously throughout the day and starts to wear off by 9 pm. I take my initial dose around 5 am to 7 am. I am much calmer than I was on Vyvanse or Adderall. My anxiety is under better control too, a little better appetite, I don't get so defensive if someone is expressing criticism for something I may or may not have done as before I would get defensive and start taking this as a personal attack with Vyvanse. This medication is life-changing for me. I start at max dose this week 7 mg started dose"
For ADHD "Azstarys seem to help my granddaughter, but her pupils are noticeably larger when she is taking it and her vision is blurry at 20/40. The eye doctor can’t get her corrected to 20/20. Has anyone else had eye problems while taking it?"
For ADHD "My son is 12, he was on focalin but it wasn't enough and when we tried a stronger dose he had a lot of side effects. He's been on azstarys for a few months now and it's making a huge difference. There haven't been any side effects, the other meds would make him emotional and tired when they wore off. This one seems amazing! His teachers are really noticing the difference and his grades have improved."
For ADHD "I was on this medication for 2 weeks, but had to come off as it exacerbated my OCD symptoms. I couldn't stop focusing on my intrusive thoughts, which led to panic attacks. It helped me concentrate, just on the wrong thing! I was previously on Adderall for 10 years and wanted to try this to see if it was a better fit, but unfortunately, it isn't for me. However, it's worth a try! I was able to get my prescription for free by visiting their website and getting a savings card (2023)."
For ADHD "This medication has worked better for me than Vyvanse because it kicks in much faster than Vyvanse and doesn’t suppress my appetite nearly as much. I can drink coffee with it and it’s not too much for me. Overall is smooth and lasts almost the whole day (about 12 hours). With a third party prior authorization and the manufacturer coupon it is affordable at $25 as well."
For ADHD "My son has been on Azstarys for about 3 months. It has made a huge impact on his school performance. His teacher’s noticed a positive change right away. This pandemic has not been easy on my child, but Azstarys has made it a bit easier."
For ADHD "I used to take Vyvanse for over a decade, prior to that I took Concerta. I've tried Strattera and Adderall, and nothing measured up to Vyvanse. When my doctor told me about Azstarys, I was all for a new but similar medication. It has been so amazing. There is no 2 pm drop. There are no morning jitters. Absolute game-changer for us adults struggling with ADHD."
For ADHD "I have been taking Azstarys since June of this year (2023). I was diagnosed as an adult in my thirties. I feel like I have been on literally everything (Adderall IR & ER, Vyvanse, and Mydayis). So far, Azstarys has worked the best and the longest for me. I still have to take a 20mg Adderall IR in the afternoon, but the Azstarys lasts at least 8 hours, which is longer than anything else has, even the extended-release stuff that I've been on. I've never had a medication that lasted the full 12-14 hours. On Azstarys, my symptoms are well controlled and I have few, if any, side effects. I do tend to sweat/get flushed easier, and sometimes I feel a little bit of insomnia, but nothing that affects me to a degree that I feel the need to switch meds. I can definitely tell when I haven't taken my medication. I love the fact that it has an immediate release (that starts within 30 minutes) and the long-acting formula. I really don't have anything bad to say about it."
For ADHD "I was on 30mg IR Adderall 3x a day for a couple years until the FDA cracked down on it and now no Dr will prescribe me a dose that high. I tried Vyvanse and it was not strong enough. I held out hope with Azstarys, but it seems even weaker. There one higher dose version available, but I think I'm just going to try something else when I have my follow up appointment. I am beginning to become discouraged because I feel that doctors putting me on the high dose of Adderall caused me to become dependent on it, and the most they will give me now is 60mg a day (used to be on 90.) Without anything I feel completely useless, and on the highest dose of adderall I'm allowed now is not enough. All Azstarys seemed to do for me was make me more talkative, but talking so much caused more distraction. I work at a slower pace and can't stay focused. It may even be just as bad as not taking any adhd medication at all for me, honestly. Hopefully someone will help me soon I am losing hope"
For ADHD "After being on Adderall 30 XR for 27 years, it was disturbing to know there was a shortage and I couldn't find any. I take this for MDD, TRD, and ADHD. I was given an Rx by my psychiatrist to try Azstarys. So far so good. I am definitely up and doing things, concentrating better, and not feeling like I'm dragging myself around for the day. Like Adderall, I hope there is no up/down in my mood, energy, and feelings. So far so good."
For ADHD "My daughter switched to this for 2 months, I tried to let her body get adjusted to it and she never could tolerate it. Almost daily she would almost have a panic attack. She would get hot, sweaty, throat felt like it was closing up and she had to get her mind off of it. She just didn't feel good. It only lasted an hour at most but it was weird and I didn't like for her to feel bad so we switched and are now trying a new medication. Wish us luck."
For ADHD "I’m 35 and am new to ADHD medications on the first day I took Azstarys it took about 1-2 hours to feel anything. I remember being quite irritable but have it a couple of days. On day 3/4 I was feeling as irritated but I remember like a sudden cloudy feeling. So I stopped taking it. Looking back last week when I was trying it for the first time, I can see how I possibly was more productive. I didn’t get everything done but I accomplished more that week that usual. I have the lowest dosage so I might give it one more go. I’m still in the process of discovering what works and what doesn’t. I will update when I try it again. Oh I forgot to mention …on day 3 it only lasted for about 6-8hours."
For ADHD "I began taking this medication at a dosage of 39.2-7.8 mg per day. The effects were nearly immediate, usually kicking in within 20-30 minutes after ingestion. It provided me with sustained focus throughout the day, and I found it to be quite effective. However, I encountered some noteworthy side effects that I'd like to share. Agitation: Initially, I experienced episodes of intense anger and occasional outbursts over trivial matters. Fortunately, this side effect gradually diminished after a couple of weeks. Hypersexuality: As the agitation subsided, I noticed a heightened state of arousal that seemed to replace it. This sensation was so intense that I experienced frequent throbbing sensations in my genital area multiple times a day, every day. I was informed that this too would likely fade with time, but it did make for an interesting change in my daily life and so far still is happening to me, 3-4 weeks later. In summary, this medication appears to be beneficial for ADD and ADHD."
For ADHD "I've been on Azstarys (39.2-7.8) for 7 months now. I had been taking 72 mg of methylphenidate daily before my switch. Azstarys is better in a lot of ways: it 'kicks in' far more subtly, I have more appetite, and I don't experience a 'crash' at the end of the day. Instead of intensely hyperfixating on one task only, I'm able to switch between tasks and maintain concentration. Methylphenidate didn't help me much once my concentration wavered between tasks. Side effects have been mostly mild. My sleep was disturbed for the first couple of months as my body adjusted, but that has since stopped on its own. My sex drive markedly decreased. I have shaky hands. And I get chest pain (from anxiety) that still regularly surfaces with stress. I also blink very hard and uncontrollably at times. It irritates and dries out my eyes. It eases with sleep, food, and/or water. The capsule floats, so I usually eat something so the medicine doesn't get stuck in my throat"
For ADHD "I've just started taking this medication for about a week now and it's been working decently. I'd previously been on Adderall XR 10mg in the morning. It worked AMAZINGLY when I took it with Zoloft 75mg, but after quitting it, I had to stop because I was becoming depressed and dependent on the Adderall. Dextroamphetamine Spansules looked like a good choice because it apparently gave fewer side effects than Adderall and Vyvanse - which gave me NASTY stomach aches. Due to the Amphetamine shortage, I wasn't able to find a pharmacy with that, so I took a tip from a family doctor who said Azstarys had worked WONDERS for her child with ADHD, and I was able to get it with ease from my pharmacy - NO SHORTAGE! Azstarys actually has WAY fewer side effects than Adderall. I just feel like it's a CURE for my ADD rather than a micro-dose of SPEED! So far, so good for this drug. It's smooth, effective, and side effects (dry mouth and appetite suppression) only lasted the first two days!"
For ADHD "I took Azstarys for two weeks at the recommended starting dosage for adults (39.2 mg). I had heard great things about it and was excited to try something new. Unfortunately, it did not live up to the hype and did not help with concentration or motivation. I also felt dehydrated and had headaches every day when taking it, even though I drank tons of water throughout the day. I would not recommend this drug."
For ADHD "Took Azstarys for almost a month and everyday I took it, I felt like I was having stroke-like symptoms. My neck, all the way up to my jaw, and my right arm and legs felt stressed/tensed some days. I would be talking and lose my thoughts and I experienced trouble speaking. I kept taking it for about 2 weeks hoping it was temporary side effects that would stop."
For ADHD "I've been taking Azstarys since November 2023. I tried all doses and settled on the lowest before deciding to stop. The first day was amazing, the first week felt like a godsend. Then things changed. I noticed hypersexuality, followed by numbness in my fingers and toes. My health check showed no heart or other issues, so I continued. Then came afternoon anger issues. My doctor prescribed Lexapro for the aggression, but it didn't help. Exercise, a proper diet, and talking to a therapist were most effective. The drug created anger issues I never had before. I became short-tempered and said horrible things over small issues, which wasn’t normal for me. Most issues subsided, but the anger stayed, and the drug no longer helps my ADHD and had to stop using it this week."
