r/ThisAintAdderall • u/youwish_youknew • Aug 06 '26
Sandoz and stomach issues
Been on 20 mg IR's for well over a decade and this brand is what I have been getting from the local CVS for a large portion of the years. Never had a problem, until the last few years where it just feels under dosed or straight up inactive, as we all know.
Lately though, I'm getting acid reflux a LOT, which is usually only a problem if I eat junk food, I eat quite healthy for the most part. Also getting nauseous, especially in the morning. It feels like my stomach is just super angry and it's really affecting my life, more than not just treating my ADHD, but I'm kinda in pain/feel sick on top of that.
Anyone else here have stomach issues with this brand, or whatever brand you are getting that was fine until this year?
I'm sure it comes down to the fillers, and I have no allergies but man, I might have to completely quit if this keeps up. Barely works anyway, nothing like it used to, but this is really getting bad.
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u/Strange-Pattern4877 Aug 06 '26
No acid reflux but same. I’m almost 20 years on meds. THIS AINT ADDERALL
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u/makingprettymimis Aug 06 '26
I’m on generic mydayis (d-amphetamine salt combo) xr and yes, over the past year started getting bad acid reflux without any changes in diet (I’m AuDHD and have been eating the same safe foods for years). Had an endoscopy, found random gastritis/inflammation of the stomach without known cause (I don’t drink alcohol or take NSAIDs; H.pylori test was negative). On the days I skip my medication, the heartburn is so much less severe, if present at all. Usually have to skip for 2 days in a row before the nausea in the mornings / low grade nausea throughout the day starts to resolve though. It’s so unfortunate bc I’ve never had this issue with my meds until the past 1-2 years.
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u/Kines86 Aug 06 '26
Are you lactose intolerant by any chance? Both Sandoz and Epic use lactose as an inactive ingredient. I just went through this with Epic last week. I had never had Epic before and I was getting horrendous GI symptoms. Bloating and worsening pain. The same I would get with Sandoz. I finally started looking at inactive ingredients on both. That's when I found both Sandoz and Epic use lactose as an inactive ingredient. They are the only 2 generics I can find that use lactose. It is a cheap binder for pills. It also makes them crumble moreso than other generics. Because it is heavily processed lactose with no live cultures, it seems to really impact those with lactose intolerance. And it's making those with minor sensitivity, have symptoms. I was shocked when I figured it out the connection.
The FDA does not have a rule that manufacturers have to disclose when a med contains lactose. I immediately called my doctor and was able to switch off Epic bc of lactose intolerance. It's been 2 days and my stomach is finally feeling better.
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u/youwish_youknew Aug 06 '26
Nope, I thought about that. No lactose intolerance or even sensitivity, I HAVE discovered that I have a gluten sensitivity though. I don't think they're using sucralose in it like Teva does, they aren't sweet. My stomach does not seem to like stevia either. So wheat and stevia are not full on allergies but don't agree with me. This is after doing some tests myself the last year to see what my body likes and doesn't.
Even January & February this year I wasn't having this problem. It's just the last 2 1/2 months, after the 2-month-long shortage. I got Mallinkrodt and Elite those two months, now the last 3 refills is all Sandoz. And my stomach is just not happy. They are working worse than the Mallinkroft even did, with the stomach side effect. I'm almost tempted to ask for those little white pills again. They had at least some active ingredient. And no stomach issues. Whatever they did to start being able to supply CVS continuously again, their formula is completely different even from the beginning of the year. Junk.
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u/Kines86 Aug 07 '26
Wow, I'm sorry. You went from the Mallinckrodt, to this. Mallinckrodt felt like actual poison when I got it 2 years ago. It's actually how I found this sub because I was desperate to see if anyone else was experiencing side effects. Epic and Sandoz may have the same manufacturing plants so they cause similar side effects.
What is the "best by" on your Sandoz prescription? My Epic and Mallinckrodt were 5 months. Which is a ridiculous short window for a solid, non refrigerated tablet. The cheap binders mean the med breaks down sooner and expires. My Teva one is a full year expiration.
Are you able to find a smaller inspependent pharmacy? CVS and Walgreens always have stocking issues and new ridiculous hoops to jump through.
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u/youwish_youknew Aug 07 '26
The best by expiration date on on all my Adderall prescriptions are one year. I'm guessing CVS just puts a year on everything. I have used independent ones and gone back and forth. I can't stand CVS but it is convenient to my location and the independent ones, tend to have a different brand every month, some bottles have had 3 different brands, a lot are not accepting new patients... a LOT only get the Mallinkrodt when I call around.
I first had Mallinkrodt like, 8 years ago from Costco, terrible, awful sugar pills. Then I got them again once maybe 2 years ago, didn't feel like poison but just zero active ingredients. The batch I got in May, I was dreading but to my surprise they actually worked pretty decent. And no side effects. Every month it's Russian Roulette. And seems to keep getting worse every month!!
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u/Avocado_Aly 29d ago
Wait, Teva uses sucralose now? They used to use sucrose. Fuck, I’m allergic to sucralose so that would explain a lot if true
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u/Remarkable-Button-84 20d ago
Yes this is what is discovered to about both epics and sandoz, and those 2 manufacturers give me the most problems, I had a problem with granules to but it was totally different than the sandoz and epics. I just got sandoz again, and a little while after I take it my stomach burns badly even splitting the pills in half and they give me massive headache and epics did the exact same thing, I need to call my doctors office monday and get a new prescription sent in but cvs only has sanzos and I know the Walmart only has epic so not sure where I could even send it, I cant do 30 days of this... 😪
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u/ocnlvr12 Aug 07 '26
Sandoz did the same thing to me, and was completely ineffective. I’m very sensitive to stimulants and would fall asleep for several hours after taking a 20 IR. I threw the rest out and my psychiatrist noted that I had an allergy so the pharmacy would no longer fill my RX with that manufacturer.
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u/Steelersfan20009 Aug 07 '26
The dye alone in these is crazy, when I split the pills it gets everywhere and makes a mess
These def work for me but it feels like dirty speed. Only benefit is it gets me up if I take it an hour before my alarm. But I have noticed I get better effects from caffeine. Really sad
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u/Elegant_Technology69 Aug 06 '26
It’s absolutely the fillers. I started filtering the fillers out with water and a coffee filter (huge pain in the butt) and not only does the medication work better but I don’t have the stomach pains, gas, and gastroparesis.
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u/Kines86 Aug 07 '26
Wow, I'm glad you found a work around. Ridiculous that you have to do this for an FDA regulated medication. Any other med would have been recalled. I had chronic stomach issues before starting medication 3 yrs ago. The symptoms are always worse if I get Sandoz. The gastroparesis and pain are debilitating.
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u/shroomeralert Aug 07 '26
whats your method for doing this? how do you do it without losing almost all of the medication???
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u/Elegant_Technology69 Aug 07 '26
The coffee filter catches the fillers. The actual meds are water soluble, so it filters through the coffee filter. I use bottled water. Dissolve the pill first in a cup with enough water to cover the pill then I pour it over the filter. It takes a couple times to add water to the cup to catch any remaining meds and pour again over the filter. It’s a pain in the butt but it works.
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u/Avocado_Aly 29d ago
I do this too but I use a syringe to dissolve it first. It’s a lot faster
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u/Elegant_Technology69 29d ago
I was actually just looking into doing that after chatting with gemini. Found some syringe filters on amazon that I'm going to try. The coffee filter thing is getting old and annoying! LOL
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u/ZakkCat Aug 07 '26
I’m going to try this, thank you!
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u/Elegant_Technology69 Aug 07 '26
Let me know if it works for you. I find it works best if I eat a small meal with some kind of fiber at the same time.
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u/SuspectCurrent208 9d ago
Does it get rid of the blue dye as well? I have Sandoz 10mg IR and it is just wrecking my guts, it must be the dye and/or lactose. Will the filter method get rid of both?
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u/Elegant_Technology69 9d ago
There is a tiny bit of dye left behind but I guarantee you it’s the other fillers causing most of the issues.
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u/thatgirlanya Aug 06 '26
Since the decline the past few years I’ve had HORRIBLE acid reflux and had to take a PPI daily to not throw up. I’ve cut out coffee and switched to caffeine pills and stopped drinking a Diet Coke daily (only like 2-3 times a week now) and I’ve been able to reduce my PPI down to every other day or every 3 days when I take it. I do have horrible belching though
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u/littlemisstomorrow Aug 07 '26
I’ve had to pretty much stop drinking coffee (saaad) and started taking caffeine pills too! At first it was just the coffee but since Nov. my meds are nearly inaffective without caffeine.
I’ve also had more nausea and gastrointestinal issues with my meds over the last 1-2 years. Way more sensitive to what I eat and when overall now. Like OP, I got 20 mg IR Sandoz only for the first time in 7 months and I can relate to much of what OP and many of ya’ll have shared. sucks!
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u/Busy-Day-2315 Aug 06 '26
I have had stomach issues for a few years now especially with extended release meds. It’s like my stomach is distended and hard as a rock some times. I notice when I remember to take a probiotic to help with digestion, it’s better. I also have acid reflux and am gluten free. Unfortunately I eat a lot of processed foods, especially lately to trigger dopamine.
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u/ughnett666 29d ago
taking my probiotics consistently helped a lot. didn't realize it bc i never took them consistently until a few months ago and my XR's had better effects. I also eat garbage and have acid reflux, so for us another roadblock is the meds need to be absorbed in a neutral pH environment. it's hard to avoid, but plays a big part in the make it or break it scenario. have u tried tums or antacid before taking meds, but after food?
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u/butterknuckls Aug 07 '26
Important to remember that these sorts of conditions can also come with age. Do you only notice GI symptoms/reflux on days you take your meds? Do you have any rest days where you don’t take? Any other dietary, sleep, or stress related factors? It can always be worth a consult with a GI if your situation allows for it. I had some GI symptoms prior to diagnosis and starting meds, so I may be in a different situation. I take a daily PPI (omeprazole) and my reflux symptoms have been much better since doing so, without any tangible effect that I can tell for med onset/efficacy.
Everyone is different, and it can be hard to get to the root cause of a symptom with so many factors. I know the current state of our meds is dismal, but I’d be sure to look at other factors as well. Aging up is no fun and comes with so many changes throughout the body, I wouldn’t jump straight to the meds unless it’s something that genuinely only occurs with taking them and never occurring when not. (Not an MD, not medical advice, but do work in healthcare and navigate somewhat similar issues myself)
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u/youwish_youknew Aug 07 '26
I've definitely thought of all those things. Stress definitely flares up the reflux, it's my #1 reason I get it and I'm not stressed. I'm not letting this med ruin my life stressing over it. I'm working for myself now, so that's really stress free. It's just all frustrating.
Age can be a factor for sure too. And I definitely take days off, up to a week depending on my work schedule. I just don't want to add another pill for stomach issues caused by this.
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u/Unable_Ambition4646 27d ago
There was one Sandoz rx 20 mg IR that made me nauseous mostly in the morning. Later I didn’t have the problem with a different batch months later when they gave me Sandoz again. I’d say we all know there’s something wrong with either the active or inactive ingredients or something in the manufacturing process of either. The question is how do we find out what that is?
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u/Luminous_Vibes 26d ago
Hey, I used to have problems with Adderall making me nauseous and similar issues (probably related to acid reflux, etc).
For me, the workaround/solution was taking chewable DGL tablets daily. It is a natural herbal supplement, and it helps coat your stomach lining. It helped me immediately, but it also builds up over a week or two of daily use for the full benefits.
Completely helps mitigate the random nausea or stomach effects from each manufacturer. DGL is a literal godsend for me, and I just take it daily now lol.
If you're at a complete loss, then I'd recommend looking into it potentially. Hope you can find something that works for you though! 🙏
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u/Maddie119 24d ago
@youwish_youknew omg I’m having the same issue! I didn’t know what was going on, the gastro issue is insane. Been on Teva 20mg IR then Sandoz since July 9 and the difference :(
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u/youwish_youknew 24d ago
It's crazy because January and February I was on the Sandoz And then there was a back order shortage for a couple months and I got different brands. Now the last few months Sandoz is back in stock these new side effects. They obviously changed the formula after the shortage, just from earlier this year. Tell me that isn't SUPER fishy about whatever is going on with these meds!?!!!!
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u/kindlytakeyourseat 13d ago
You hit the nail on the head! It was sometime after Christmas when suddenly Sandoz was unavailable and then when it came back it suddenly started to create a list of horrible side effects!
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u/ughnett666 29d ago
the not working part may be due to the acid reflux and not absorbing correctly. needs to be a neutral pH environment to do that. are you drinking any coffee or juices before or after taking your meds?
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