Dosage Details for Adderall

Dosage Details for Adderall (amphetamine/dextroamphetamine) is a prescription drug used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and narcolepsy. The drug comes as both an oral tablet and oral capsule. How often you take the medication depends on various factors.

Adderall is used in adults and certain children to treat and . Adderall contains the active ingredients amphetamine and dextroamphetamine and belongs to a group of drugs called amphetamines.

Adderall comes in two forms:

Adderall XR is approved to treat ADHD but not narcolepsy.

This article describes the dosages of Adderall, as well as its strengths and how to take it. To learn more about Adderall, see this .

Boxed warning: Risk of misuse and dependence

Adderall has a boxed warning about the risk of misuse and dependence. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). It alerts doctors and patients about drug effects that may be dangerous.

Risk of misuse: There is a risk of misuse with Adderall. means taking a drug in a way or for a reason other than how or why it was prescribed. This can include taking the drug more often or at higher doses than recommended by your doctor. Misuse of Adderall can cause serious side effects including heart problems such as , , mental health changes (, ), and overdose. In some cases it could even lead to sudden death. It’s important to follow your doctor’s guidance when taking Adderall. Misusing Adderall may lead to (taking a drug even if it’s causing harmful effects).

Risk of dependence: There is a risk of with long term Adderall treatment, even when you take it as directed by your doctor. This means your body becomes used to the medication and needs it to function as it usually does.

Adderall is a controlled substance in the United States. This means the drug has an approved medical use, but may be misused for other purposes. Government agencies, doctors, and pharmacists pay close attention to how Adderall is prescribed and used. Your doctor will assess your risk of misuse and addiction before prescribing this drug for you. You’re more likely to have misuse or addiction problems if you have a mental health condition, or have misused drugs or alcohol in the past.

To learn more about these warnings, talk with your doctor.

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What is Adderall’s dosage?

The chart below lists the usual dosages of Adderall for treating ADHD in adults. All doses are shown in milligrams (mg).

Form	Strengths	Starting dosage for ADHD	Maintenance dosage	Maximum dosage
IR tablets	5 mg, 7.5 mg, 10 mg, 12.5 mg, 15 mg, 20 mg, 30 mg	5 mg once to twice daily	varies based on response to treatment	varies based on age and other factors
XR capsules	5 mg, 10 mg, 15 mg, 20 mg, 25 mg, 30 mg	20 mg once daily	varies based on response to treatment	varies based on age and other factors

Keep reading to learn more.

What are Adderall’s forms?

Adderall comes in two forms:

What strengths does Adderall come in?

Adderall comes in various strengths based on its form:

What are the usual dosages of Adderall?

The dosage of Adderall you’re prescribed depends on various factors. These include your age, the form of Adderall you’re prescribed, and the condition the drug is being used to treat. Your doctor will likely start you on a low dosage and adjust it over time to reach the right amount for you. They’ll ultimately prescribe the smallest dosage that provides the desired effect.

The information below describes dosages that are commonly used or recommended. In some cases, doctors may adjust your dosage from those shown below. Be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes. They’ll determine the best dosage to fit your needs.

Dosage for ADHD

The dosage of Adderall for adults with ADHD depends on several factors. These include the form of Adderall you’re prescribed, other health conditions you may have, and other medications you take. There is no normal Adderall dosage for adults. Your dosage is based on your individual situation including how you respond to treatment.

Adderall IR tablet dosage

The typical Adderall IR starting dosage for adults with ADHD is 5 mg taken once or twice per day. Your doctor may increase your dosage by 5 mg weekly until you reach the right amount for you. You’ll take the first dose of Adderall in the morning when you first wake up. Any additional daily doses may be taken every 4 to 6 hours. Do not take Adderall late in the day or in the evening, as this may affect your sleep.

In most cases, a daily maximum dose of more than 40 mg is not needed.

If you have questions about your Adderall dosage or dosing schedule for ADHD, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Adderall XR capsule dosage

The typical Adderall XR starting dosage for adults with ADHD is 20 mg taken once per day in the morning when you first wake up. Your doctor may adjust your dosage based on various factors. These include side effects you may have, how you respond to treatment, other medications you take, and other health conditions you may have.

Talk with your doctor if you have questions about your dosage of Adderall XR for ADHD.

Dosage for narcolepsy

For adults with , the typical dosage of Adderall IR is 5 mg to 60 mg per day taken in divided doses. (Adderall XR isn’t used to treat narcolepsy.) Your dosage is based on factors such as the severity of your condition, how you respond to treatment, and other medical conditions you may have.

The typical starting dosage is 10 mg daily. Your doctor may slowly increase your dose by 10 mg weekly until you reach the right dosage for you.

Take your first dose when you wake up in the morning. Take any additional doses every 4 to 6 hours. Do not take doses of Adderall late in the day or in the evening, as this may cause sleeping difficulties.

What’s the dosage of Adderall for children?

Adderall IR is used to help treat ADHD and narcolepsy in certain children. Adderall’s dosage in children depends on their age and the form of the drug they’re prescribed. Adderall IR isn’t recommended for use in children less than 3 years of age. Adderall XR isn’t recommended for use in children less than 6 years of age and isn’t used to treat narcolepsy.

Adderall IR tablet dosage for ADHD

Dosage for children ages 6 to 17 years

The typical starting dosage of Adderall IR is 5 mg taken once or twice per day. Your child’s doctor may increase their dosage by 5 mg weekly until they reach the right amount for them.

Your child will take the first dose of Adderall in the morning when they wake up. Any additional daily doses may be taken every 4 to 6 hours. Children should not take Adderall late in the day or in the evening, as this may affect their sleep.

In most cases, daily maximum doses of more than 40 mg aren’t needed.

Dosage for children 3 to 5 years

The typical starting dosage of Adderall IR for children ages 3 to 5 years is 2.5 mg taken each morning when they first wake up. Your child’s doctor may increase their dose by 2.5 mg weekly until they reach the right amount for them.

Adderall XR capsule dosage for ADHD

Dosage for children ages 13 to 17 years

The typical starting dosage of Adderall XR for children ages 13 to 17 years is 10 mg taken once per day in the morning when they first wake up. Your child’s doctor may increase their dose to 20 mg after a week if their symptoms aren’t managed with the initial 10-mg daily dose.

While there’s no maximum dosage of Adderall for this age range, doses of more than 40 mg daily aren’t typically needed.

Dosage for children ages 6 to 12 years

The typical starting dosage of Adderall XR for children ages 6 to 12 years is 10 mg taken once daily in the morning. Your child’s doctor may increase their dosage by 5 mg to 10 mg weekly if needed until their symptoms are managed. In some cases, your child’s doctor may start them on a lower dose of 5 mg taken once daily in the morning.

The maximum dosage of Adderall XR for children ages 6 to 12 years is 30 mg per day.

If you have questions about your child’s dosage, talk with their doctor or pharmacist to learn more.

Adderall dosage for narcolepsy

Narcolepsy is rare in children younger than 12 years old, but Adderall IR may be prescribed in rare cases. However, Adderall IR isn’t recommended for use in children younger than 6 years old for narcolepsy. (Adderall XR isn’t used to treat narcolepsy at all.)

Dosage for children ages 12 to 17 years

The typical daily starting dosage of Adderall for narcolepsy in children ages 12 years and older is 10 mg. This should be taken in the morning when they first wake up. Your child’s doctor may increase their dose by 10 mg weekly if needed until they’ve reached the right amount to manage their condition. Any additional daily doses may be taken every 4 to 6 hours.

Dosage for children ages 6 to 11 years

The typical starting dosage of Adderall for narcolepsy in children ages 6 to 11 years is 5 mg taken once daily in the morning. Your child’s doctor may increase their dosage by 5 mg weekly if needed until they’ve reached the right amount to treat their condition. Any additional daily doses may be taken every 4 to 6 hours.

For more information about the dosages of Adderall IR or Adderall XR for children, talk with your child’s doctor or a pharmacist.

How to take Adderall

Adderall IR comes as a tablet you swallow. Typically you’ll take it either once or twice per day. Your doctor will recommend taking your first dose when you first wake up in the morning. After this, you’ll take any additional doses every 4 to 6 hours. You can chew, crush, or cut Adderall tablets. You can take Adderall with or without food, but taking it with food may slow down how long it takes the drug to start working.

Adderall XR comes as a capsule you swallow. You’ll take it once per day in the morning. Generally, you should swallow Adderall XR capsules whole. However, if you have trouble swallowing capsules, you can open Adderall XR and take the contents with a spoonful of applesauce. Swallow it immediately without chewing, then drink water or another liquid. You can also check out for tips to help make it easier to swallow capsules and tablets.

Do not take Adderall IR or Adderall XR late in the day or in the evening because it may cause difficulty sleeping.

Is Adderall used long term?

Yes, Adderall is usually a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that it’s safe and effective for your condition, you’ll likely take it long term.

Frequently asked questions

Below are answers to some commonly asked questions about Adderall’s dosage.

What’s the maximum Adderall dose you can take in a 24-hour period?

What’s considered a maximum 24-hour dose of Adderall depends on several factors. These include:

• your age
• the form of the drug you’re prescribed
• other medications you take
• other health conditions you may have
• how you respond to treatment with Adderall

In most cases, the maximum Adderall IR dosage for adults and children ages 6 years and older to treat ADHD is 40 mg daily. Your doctor will typically start you on a low dose and adjust it over time to reach the right amount for you. In rare cases, they may prescribe a higher daily dose of Adderall based on your individual situation. If you have questions about the highest safe dose of Adderall you can take each day, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

The maximum Adderall XR dosage for children ages 6 to 12 years to treat ADHD is 30 mg daily.

The maximum Adderall IR dosage for adults and children ages 6 years and older to treat narcolepsy is 60 mg per day.

Taking higher doses than recommended can increase your risk of serious side effects. These include the risks of misuse and dependence. (For more information, see the boxed warning section at the beginning of this article.)

Take Adderall exactly as your doctor prescribes. Talk with them if your dosage isn’t managing your symptoms. They may alter your dosage, or can suggest other options that may work better for managing your condition.

Are Adderall dosages based on weight and age? If so, what’s the Adderall dosage for adults by weight?

Adderall’s dosage is not based on weight. The dosage you’re prescribed is based on various factors. These include:

• the form of the drug you’re taking
• your age
• the condition you’re taking the drug to treat
• the severity of your symptoms
• other medications you take
• other health conditions you may have

See the “What are usual dosages of Adderall?” section above for detailed information on dosages for adults and children by age. You can also talk with your doctor or pharmacist to learn more about the dosages of Adderall.

Your doctor will start you on a low dosage and adjust it slowly each week (if needed) until you reach the right amount for you.

What are signs your Adderall dosage is too low?

A sign your Adderall dose is too low is if it’s not managing your symptoms. Your doctor will likely start you on a low dosage of Adderall and increase it slowly each week until it’s effectively treating your symptoms.

If you feel your dosage isn’t managing your symptoms, talk with your doctor. Depending on your dosage, they may increase it, or they may suggest switching to a different medication that might work better for you.

Note: Do not increase your dosage of Adderall on your own, as this could raise your risk of serious side effects. This includes a risk of misuse and dependence. Adderall has a boxed warning about these risks. (For more information, see the boxed warning section at the beginning of this article.)

What’s the Adderall dosage for adults with depression?

Adderall IR is approved to treat ADHD and narcolepsy. Adderall XR is approved to treat ADHD. Neither form of the drug is approved for . However, in some cases, your doctor may prescribe Adderall for depression alongside . (With off-label use, a drug is prescribed for a condition it isn’t approved to treat.) Some research indicates stimulant medications such as Adderall may improve some symptoms of depression.

Do not take Adderall for depression on your own. Doing so may increase your risk of certain side effects of the drug. If you’re interested in learning more about Adderall’s off-label use for depression, talk with your doctor. They can determine whether the drug is appropriate for you.

What should be done in case of overdose?

Do not take more Adderall than your doctor prescribes, as this can lead to harmful effects.

Symptoms of overdose

Symptoms caused by an overdose can include:

• diarrhea
• restlessness
• shaking
• fast breathing
• rapid heart rate
• (seeing or hearing things that aren’t really there)
• high body temperature

What to do in case you take too much Adderall

Call your doctor right away if you think you’ve taken too much Adderall. You can also call 800-222-1222 to reach America’s Poison Centers or use its online resource. But if you have severe symptoms, immediately call 911 (or your local emergency number) or go to the nearest emergency room.

Disclaimer: Adoctor has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.