Adderall Dosage, Forms, and Strengths
Adderall is a combination of two similar central nervous system stimulants, amphetamines and dextroamphetamine. It is a prescription drug used to manage the symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and narcolepsy.
Adderall improves people’s focus, makes them attentive, and controls impulses. In contrast, it reduces daytime sleepiness in people with narcolepsy. Although Adderall for ADHD can cause depression as a side effect, it resolves with time. The benefit outweighs the side effects.
Adderall is an immediate-release drug that comes in the form of a tablet. It can be taken with or without food. Depending on your prescription, you can take one, two, or three doses a day.
Keep reading the blog for more information on Adderall dosage, forms, and strengths. To get prescribed Adderall, Contact Therapy Fleet, which offers online prescriptions and other mental health services.
Adderall Forms and Strengths
There are seven different dose strengths for Adderall immediate-release tablet
- 5 mg
- 7.5 mg
- 10 mg
- 12.5mg
- 15 mg
- 20 mg
- 30 mg
Each of these tablets consists of the active ingredient as amphetamine salts dextroamphetamine sulfate, amphetamine sulfate, dextroamphetamine saccharate, and d,1-amphetamine aspartate. These tablets are scored, which makes dividing (them into two smaller doses) easier.
Normal Adderall Dosage for Adults
Adderall is one of the most common stimulant medications; all stimulants should be taken as directed by healthcare professionals. The usual Adderall dosage for adults can be taken once, twice, or thrice per day. There is no single standard dose. The focus when deciding on Adderall dosage is to recommend the lowest effective dose; therefore, dosages are adjusted based on the individual’s needs and responsiveness to Adderall. The starting dose is 5 mg for adults, and the highest dose of Adderall depends. However, the maximum Adderall dose in 24 hours should not exceed 60 mg.
Adderall Dosage Chart
Standard Dose | Maximum Dose | |
ADHD | 5- 40 mg | Not specified |
Narcolepsy | 5 – 60 mg | Not specified |
Each dose is taken daily or divided into two or three doses every four to six hours apart.
What’s the Typical Adderall Dosage For Children?
Adderall is approved for pediatric use for children as young as three years for ADHD symptoms and six years for narcolepsy. With the correct drug administration, ad reduces impulsive behavior in children and daytime drowsiness and fatigue in children in case of narcolepsy.
You should take the first dose of Adderall in the morning and space out the other two dosages between 4 and 6 hours.
Adderall Dosage Chart for Children
ADHD | Narcolepsy | |
Children 3-5 years | 2.5 – 40 mg (incremented each week by 2.5 mg until the correct dose is established | – |
Children over 6 years of age | – | 5- 60 mg ( incremented by 5 mg until the right dose is decided |
Note:- Adderall Dosage for really impaired patients and hepatically inpatients is not defined. Make sure your child is taking Adderall under medical supervision. In case of side effects like irregular heartbeat or allergic reactions, contact medical professionals immediately.
How Long Does Adderall Work?
Adderall immediate-release (IR) formulation starts to work within 15 to 30 minutes after you take the dose. The effect lasts 4 to 6 hours. Adderall IR can lead to a crash when the effects of the drug come down.
How To Avoid a Too-High Adderall Dosage?
Sometimes, college students or young adults use too high doses of Adderall to get the euphoric effect. Higher doses are associated with potential risks and increase the chances of sudden death. Determining the right amount to get someone high is impossible as people react differently. Some people get high from Adderall by crushing or snorting it. These methods are riskier.
If the dosage of Adderall is too high, it can prove to be life-threatening. Always get prescribed Adderall by the doctor to not alter the age on your own.
Usual Adderall Dosage – Adults With Health Conditions?
Individuals living with kidney issues or renal impairment are usually given a lower dose of Adderall.
Special care must be taken in cases of serious kidney problems. Confirm the right Adderall dosage from your prescriber.
The kidneys help your body get rid of Adderall IR and Adderall XR. So, if you have kidney problems, you may need lower doses of Adderall. You also may need a different dosage if you take certain medications. Drug interactions sometimes cause adverse effects. Usually, for people with kidney or other health conditions, the average Adderall dose for adults is less.
Note: Adderall IR is not recommended for people with end-stage kidney disease or people on dialysis.
Typical Adderall Dosage for Adults when taken with Interacting Medications?
Every drug interacts with the other in one way or the other. Specific drugs react with Adderall and increase the risk of Adderall’s side effects. Talk with the prescribing doctor to adjust the age or change your medication.
This is why you need to hand the current list of medications to your doctor before you start your treatment of Adderall. The doctor can then make sure that Adderall and the other medication you are taking are safe to take together. Remember to add any over-the-counter ADHD medications or vitamin supplements to the list. This reduces potential side effects.
What Happens If You Miss a Dose of Adderall?
Regardless of what happens, do not attempt to take a double dose. It increases the risk of overdose. If you missed an Adderall dosage, take it as soon as you remember; however, skip it if it’s nearly time for the next dose.
Adderall Overdose
In case you suspect an overdose, look out for the following signs;
Mild Symptoms of Overdose
Some symptoms in mild cases are;
- confusion
- Headaches
- Hyperactivity
- vomiting
- nausea
- stomach cramps
- rapid breathing
Severe Symptoms of Overdose
Severe symptoms of overdose
- tremors
- hypertension
- rhabdomyolysis, or the breakdown of muscles
- Convulsions
- hallucinations
- panic
- aggressiveness
- fever
In severe rare cases, death can even occur. So, it is highly recommended to get the correct Adderall dosage and seek help from DEA-certified mental health practitioners.
The Bottom Line
Adderall comes in immediate-release tablets and extended-release capsules. We discovered more about Adderall IR, which is a combination of amphetamine salts used for treating attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and narcolepsy. It comes in two forms: Adderall immediate-release (IR) and extended-release (XR). There’s no ideal dose for Adderall that fits all. It depends on how well the person is responding to the medicine.
In contrast, for children, Adderall IR is taken once, twice, or thrice a day. In case you miss a dose, take it when you remember.
If you have any medical conditions, such as heart problems, or experience irregular heartbeats after taking Adderall, call your doctor. Although Adderall improves the quality of life and is commonly used for the treatment of ADHD, if your body does not respond to it and you notice weight loss or an increase in your heart rate, for instance, call your doctor. Using the right dosage offers maximum benefit with minimum side effects. A low dose of Adderall doesn’t work; therefore, if you observe the signs that your Adderall dose is too low, get help from the normal Adderall dosage guide for adults and children or contact Therapy Fleet for your drug management. So, you could help yourself with ADHD symptoms effectively.
ADHD doesn’t define you—it challenges you to unlock new ways of thinking. With the right support and determination, you can turn your unique strengths into success.
FAQs
1. How long does Adderall take to work?
When taken as directed, Adderall is readily absorbed into the bloodstream. It is a CNS stimulant that kicks in in about 30 to 45 minutes and peaks in about 1 to 3 hours. Adderall can be taken with or without food.
2. How long does Adderall stay in your system?
Adderall is a common ADHD medication. How long it stays in the body depends on the test type being used. Generally, Adderall can be detected between 20 to 96 hours after taking the last dose of Adderall. In the case of urine, Adderall can be detected between 72 to 96 hours and up to 46 hours via the blood, and for hair, it can take up to 3 months for the last traces of Adderall to get eliminated from the body.
3. What do I do if I miss a dose of Adderall?
A missed dose should be taken when remembered, except if it is nearly time for the next Dose—space each dose between four and six hours. Never take double doses; this increases the chance of an overdose.
4. How do I stop taking Adderall?
Adderall is a controlled drug like Vyvanse; it can cause physical dependence and substance use disorder when used for long periods. Suddenly stopping Adderall can cause withdrawal symptoms like fatigue, depression, and sleep disturbances. Consult your healthcare provider for more information. They will come up with a plan and taper the drug off. In case your body is experiencing severe side effects, visit a medical emergency, as you may need to stop Adderall right away.
5. What is the maximum Dosage for Adderall?
The drugmaker did not specify a maximum dose for Adderall. However, according to the Prescriber’s Digital Reference (formerly the Physician’s Desk Reference), the highest dose of Adderall should not exceed 60 mg/day for adults and children over six years with ADHD. Although Adderall is rarely prescribed more than 40 mg/day, in case of serious side effects, the best and most effective alternatives to Adderall could also be prescribed. For that, contact Therapy Fleet mental health practitioners today.