What doses does adderall come in


Adderall Dosage Chart: Recommended Dosage for Adults

There are many different Adderall dosages, and taking too much can lead to risky side effects. Learn more about what Adderall is used for and how much is typically prescribed.

When looking at Adderall dosage, there are distinctions between extended-release and immediate-release options. The Adderall dosage instructions are different for the two.

Article at a Glance:

  • Adderall immediate-release works within 15-30 minutes and lasts 4-6 hours.
  • Adderall extended-release works within 30-60 minutes and lasts for 10-12 hours.
  • The adult Adderall immediate-release dosage is 5 mg to 40 mg per day, spread throughout the day.
  • Adderall extended-release is taken in one daily dose, usually not to exceed 40 mg per day.
  • It is very dangerous (and even potentially fatal) to use high dosages of Adderall to get high.

Adderall Dosage Guide/Chart

If you’re searching for an Adderall dosage chart, the following infographic provides a general overview of what an Adderall dosage might look like.

What Dosage Does Adderall Come In?

Adderall XR dosage begins at 5 mg. Then there are 10 mg, 15 mg, 20 mg, 25 mg, and 30 mg dosages.

The Adderall IR dosage options start at 5 mg and include 7.5 mg, 10 mg, 12.5 mg, 15 mg, 20 mg, and 30 mg. There is more flexibility in immediate-release dosages, allowing doctors to start patients out on a minimal dose and increase it incrementally.

Doctors will usually start an Adderall dosage at the smallest amount that may potentially work and then gradually increase it. For ADHD, the immediate-release dosage for adults is between 5 mg to 40 mg a day. The dosage is divided throughout the day.

In regards to ADHD, doses of more than 40 mg a day are rarely more effective than lower amounts. For narcolepsy treatment, doctors may begin with 5 mg a day and then go up to 60 mg a day, with dosages given every four to six hours.

With Adderall XR, one dose is taken daily instead of in divided doses. A doctor may still recommend that the extended-release dosage not exceed 40 mg a day.

How Long Does Adderall & Adderall XR Work?

Adderall immediate-release (IR) starts working within 15 to 30 minutes and lasts for about 4 to 6 hours. Adderall extended-release (XR) can take about 30 to 60 minutes to start working, and it lasts for around 10 to 12 hours. Both IR and XR can lead to a crash as someone comes down from the effects of the drug, but XR tends to have less noticeable effects.

Avoiding an Adderall Dosage High

Trying to abuse Adderall to get high is very dangerous. At higher doses, it can be associated with sudden death. Determining how much Adderall would get someone high is almost impossible, as different people will have different reactions. Some people get high from Adderall by crushing and snorting it or dissolving and injecting it. These methods make the risks even greater.

It’s possible to experience a fatal dose when using Adderall to get high, so this should be avoided. People should never take Adderall without a prescription from their doctor. If they do have a prescription, it should only be used as directed.

If you or a loved one is struggling with Adderall misuse, The Recovery Village is here to help. We encourage you to learn more about treatment plans and programs that can work well for your situation.

Editor – Jonathan Strum

Jonathan Strum graduated from the University of Nebraska Omaha with a Bachelor's in Communication in 2017 and has been writing professionally ever since. Read more

Medically Reviewed By – Dr. Conor Sheehy, PharmD, BCPS, CACP

Dr. Sheehy completed his BS in Molecular Biology at the University of Idaho and went on to complete his Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) at the University of Washington in Seattle. Read more


RxList. “Adderall.” May 13, 2020. Accessed June 17, 2020.

Food and Drug Administration. “Adderall (CII).” March 2007. Accessed June 17, 2020.

Medical Disclaimer

The Recovery Village aims to improve the quality of life for people struggling with substance use or mental health disorder with fact-based content about the nature of behavioral health conditions, treatment options and their related outcomes. We publish material that is researched, cited, edited and reviewed by licensed medical professionals. The information we provide is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. It should not be used in place of the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare providers.

Similarities, Uses, Mixing & Weight Loss Risks

There are many ways to compare Adderall vs. Vyvanse, and two important factors to compare are dosage and what mental health disorders they’re prescribed for as well as common reasons for abuse, including weight loss.

Article at a Glance:  

  • Adderall and Vyvanse are commonly prescribed to treat ADHD.  
  • The recommended Adderall dosage is 2.5 to 60 mg per day, while the dosage for Vyvanse is 30 mg daily. 
  • Both Adderall and Vyvanse can suppress the appetite but should not be used for weight loss.  
  • Adderall and Vyvanse should not generally be used together because of the increased risk of side effects.   
  • Both Adderall and Vyvance use can lead to abuse, addiction, and physical dependence.  

Common Uses for Adderall and Vyvanse

Adderall is a combination drug that includes levoamphetamine and dextroamphetamine. It’s part of a class of drugs known as stimulants. Vyvanse, which has the generic name lisdexamfetamine, is also a stimulant of the central nervous system. Both are commonly prescribed to treat ADHD.

Less frequently, Adderall may be prescribed to treat narcolepsy and, in some cases, Vyvanse may be used as a medication to treat binge eating disorders. However, Vyvanse is supposed to be used as part of a full treatment plan that includes psychological and social elements.

Both Adderall and Vyvanse can contribute to abuse and addiction, as well as physical dependence. The side effects are very similar as well and include anxiety, insomnia, and decreased appetite.

If you or someone you know struggles with an eating disorder, treatment is available. For immediate assistance or help in evaluating your options, you can contact the National Eating Disorder Association by visiting them online or by calling (800) 931-2237.

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There are many ways to compare Adderall and Vyvanse, and one important factor to compare is dosage.

Patients are usually prescribed to take Adderall once or twice a day. The recommended dosage can vary from 2.5 to 60 mg a day. Different prescribed doses are based on the age and individual needs of the patient.

Related Topic: Adderall Dosage Guide

The recommended beginning dose for treating ADHD in adults with Vyvanse is 30 mg. For pediatric patients, the starting dose is usually 20 to 30 mg taken once daily in the morning. The maximum dose of Vyvanse is 70 mg a day, and a doctor may increase the dose by 10 to 20 mg a day, at weekly intervals. For treating a binge eating disorder with Vyvanse, the recommended dose in adults is 50 to 70 mg a day.

Related Topic: Medications Used for Treating Binge Eating Disorder

Side Effects & Weight Loss Risks from Prolonged Adderall or Vyvanse Use

Using Adderall or Vyvanse for weight loss isn’t an approved use. It’s considered a possible side effect, although Vyvanse can be used to treat symptoms of binge eating disorder.

Amphetamines like Adderall can lead to weight loss. Vyvanse acts similarly to an amphetamine. These drugs release certain brain chemicals that can increase energy and suppress appetite. In some cases, they can also increase metabolism levels.

Both tend to have similar weight loss results, but with Adderall people may experience rebound hunger after the effects of the drug wear off. Regardless of whether you consider Adderall or Vyvanse for weight loss, they’re not healthy or sustainable options.

When the effects of either medicine wear off, so does the appetite suppression. Your body also quickly adjusts to the medicine’s effects, so you may no longer experience appetite suppression after a short period of taking them. This makes the weight loss effects both short-lived and unsustainable for most people. With either medication, your body usually adjusts to the effects, making them ineffective and impractical for a weight loss goal.

What’s more, when you’re withdrawing from amphetamines, the result is an increased appetite. If you use either of these drugs as a way to lose weight and you stop, you will have more problems controlling your appetite than you did before.

Are Adderall & Vyvanse Safe to Use Together?

Considering the similarities between the two, people may wonder if Adderall and Vyvanse can be taken together. The answer is usually no.  When you combine the two stimulants together, it increases your risk of side effects.

For example, you may have extreme changes in mood, intense anxiety, or severe insomnia. Combining multiple stimulants as such can affect your central nervous system and create problems like elevated blood pressure, high body temperature, and cardiovascular problems.

Finally, when people are coming down off Adderall or Vyvanse, it can cause them to feel depressed or have sudden shifts in mood. If you take them together, this can be worse.

Related Topic: First Aid for Suicidal Thoughts and Behaviors

Feelings of depression or anxiety can lead to suicidal thinking. If you or a loved one is experiencing suicidal thoughts or tendencies, call the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1-800-273-8255.

Editor – Melissa Carmona

As the content manager at Advanced Recovery Systems, Melissa Carmona puts years of writing and editing experience to work helping people understand substance abuse, addiction and mental health disorders. Read more

Medically Reviewed By – Dr. Conor Sheehy, PharmD, BCPS, CACP

Dr. Sheehy completed his BS in Molecular Biology at the University of Idaho and went on to complete his Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) at the University of Washington in Seattle. Read more


  • U.S. Food and Drug Administration. “Adderall.” April 2015. Accessed June 7, 2020.
  • U.S. Food and Drug Administration. “Vyvanse.” January 2015. Accessed June 7, 2020.

Medical Disclaimer

The Recovery Village aims to improve the quality of life for people struggling with substance use or mental health disorder with fact-based content about the nature of behavioral health conditions, treatment options and their related outcomes. We publish material that is researched, cited, edited and reviewed by licensed medical professionals. The information we provide is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. It should not be used in place of the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare providers.

Why the drug modafinil is becoming more and more popular among office workers in the West - Future on vc.ru

All available information about the drug that is gaining popularity in the West and banned in Russia.

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Still from the film "Regions of Darkness" Relativity Media

Browser vc.ru has collected all available information about the drug, which is gaining popularity in the West and is banned in Russia, modafinil, which is used to improve performance by military, police and office workers. The material describes the principle of action of the drug, provides research and opinions of experts on its effectiveness and side effects. nine0003

600 milligrams is how much modafinil it took US Air Force pilots to go 40 hours without sleep. At the same time, the speed of their reaction and accuracy remained almost at the same level.

In Maryland, the drug is used by police on long missions to improve concentration, and the Journal of the Canadian Medical Society states that astronauts on the ISS have modafinil in their first aid kit "to optimize performance during fatigue. "

Modafinil is a drug from the class of analeptics. The task of drugs of this class is to influence the centers of the medulla oblongata in order to stimulate the vital functions of respiration and blood circulation. In other words, modafinil invigorates. nine0003

Modafinil, as well as Adderall and Ritalin, are most often prescribed for patients with attention deficit disorder and narcolepsy. But in the case of modafinil, it is often used as a cognitive enhancer.

Almost like an allergy

Modafinil increases histamine levels and affects the neurotransmitter system of the brain, improving concentration. A similar effect should be familiar to those who suffer from allergies. In such cases, antihistamines are prescribed, which act exactly the opposite - they lower the level of histamine in the body. For the same reason, allergy sufferers are strictly prohibited from drinking modafinil. nine0003

Scientists at the University of Oxford collected all the studies of modafinil and based on them conducted a meta-analysis of its effects. Of the 267 studies, 92 were weeded out because they were tested on animals. Then another 151 due to the fact that there was no test for the placebo effect. Of the 24 remaining studies, 24 gave the same results: the subjects performed better on tests related to the flexibility of thinking, working with information and concentration.

Meta-analysis methodology

One of the researchers, Anna-Katharine Brem, told The Atlantic that another effect was noticed:

The longer and more difficult the task, the better the test subjects who took modafinil showed better results.

Drug or not

The drug is often used by American students during the sessions, as well as by people who want to increase their productivity. In the United States, modafinil is sold in pharmacies, but in Russia it cannot be bought in this way - the drug has not been registered by the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation and is illegal. nine0003

Scientists and doctors agree that the drug has practically no side effects. University of California psychiatrist James McGough says the effects of overdosing on modafinil are the same as overdosing on coffee—nervousness and stomach pain. According to him, the drug is not addictive. However, he explains:

If you stop taking modafinil, there will be no painful side effects. But having experienced its influence and the absence of side effects, many do not see the point in giving up the drug. nine0003

It is impossible to find statistics on those who take the drug for obvious reasons - it is not common for people to admit to taking doping. Even if it's harmless. In 2011, the BBC conducted an anonymous survey asking readers if they were taking cognitive enhancers, specifically modafinil. 38% of the respondents answered "Yes". Of these, 40% said they bought the drug online, and 92% said they would try it again. In total, about a thousand people took part in the survey. Reviews of the drug ranged from neutral to admiring:

I wrote a 22-page paper in one day. I reviewed it a couple of days later and passed it, getting an A (highest grade - ed. note). In a normal situation, I would be able to give birth only to a draft, and then in a week.

The drug did not help at all. But for fifteen hours I could not sit still and felt alarmed and agitated at the same time.

Some scientists still advise against taking modafinil. The reason is simple: if you do not feel enough energy or vigor in yourself, then why increase their level due to drugs? Modafinil can be compared to taking painkillers - if you have a headache for a week, you will not take pills, but will try to find out the cause of the disease. nine0003

Cambridge University professor Barbara Sahakian is more tolerant of the drug. Her team began studying its effects on patients with Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease, and then conducted several tests on healthy people.

Their study proved that surgeons who were sleep deprived for long periods of time performed better when taking modafinil. Professor Sahakyan recommends the use of the drug for those whose work is stressful or causes stress at a particular moment. nine0003

I think we underestimate drugs like modafinil. A study by the Academy of Medical Sciences showed that even a slight improvement in memory by 10% will dramatically increase the ability to consume new information. As a society, we can probably move forward if everyone has access to safe cognitive enhancers.

The representative of the Russian medical holding "Atlas" is more wary. nine0003

I will speak from the perspective of a neurosurgeon.

Every drug has indications for use. Off-label use (as well as the use of the drug in doses exceeding the recommended ones) is an inappropriate risk in playing with one's own health.

In the 24 studies described, not enough time has elapsed to assess the long-term results (to the question of safety).

All stimulants deplete the nervous system, plus their effect varies greatly depending on the type of nervous system and the presence of concomitant diseases. nine0003

Conclusion: if you really need it, you can do it once. And on an ongoing basis, we need to look for "legal" energy (I write in quotation marks, because I mean everything that does not "hack" our own "bank" of dopamine and serotonin in the brain) - sex, sports, creativity and so on.

Pavel Likhachev, Sales Director of the Atlas Medical Center, neurosurgeon by education

The price of happiness

Writer and columnist M. J. Hyland described her experiences with the drug in an article in The Guardian. According to her, in the first weeks of use, she felt "happy and constantly in a good mood." However, she attributed this not so much to modafinil as to the placebo effect. nine0003

The effect of euphoria stopped after a month, but the concentration and the ability to work without stopping remained. Hyland took 400 milligrams of the drug daily without any effects and believes that he did not make her smarter. But made it more efficient.

In the column, Hyland mentioned that she had been taking the drug for half a year, as it proved to be effective against the symptoms of multiple sclerosis, which she suffers from. The improvement in cognitive skills she calls only a pleasant bonus. nine0003

A daily dosage of 400 milligrams is too much. According to Drugs.com, do not exceed the limit of one dose per day. Depending on the manufacturer, one dose equals from 80 to 200 milligrams of the active substance.

Buying modafinil in the US is not a problem. There is even a ModafinilCat website that specializes in selling modafinil in different forms and from different manufacturers. The cost of a daily dose ranges from $1 when buying a drug for a year to $2 when buying a monthly amount. Here you can pay with bitcoins, while receiving a 20% discount. nine0003

In Russia, the drug is worth looking for in online stores. Most often, it can be found in sports nutrition stores, where modafinil is positioned as an energy drink. The cost of the drug is almost the same as in the US.

Scientists agree that the drug will become more and more popular. Psychiatrist James McGaugh even suggests that employers will give preference to employees who take cognitive enhancers, thereby showing how important the job is to them. Any leader will want to get a kind of "Hulk" - an employee who can work 16 hours and still not slow down. nine0003

What drugs contain amphetamines? – Center for Healthy Youth

Amphetamine is one of the most widely used drugs in the world. This drug is a synthetic derivative of phenylethylamine and is characterized as a CNS stimulant, as well as an anorexigenic agent. This psychostimulant was not always used by drug addicts. Amphetamine as a medicine has been actively used in medicine for the treatment of narcolepsy and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. However, today it is impossible to find such pills as amphetamine for sale. The substance is prohibited by law. Its circulation is carefully monitored by departmental authorities. nine0003

A fairly common amphetamine drug is MDMA or 3,4-methylenedioxy-N-methamphetamine. Among drug addicts, MDMA is an analogue of ecstasy. Can you buy drugs at a pharmacy? What medications contain amphetamine or methamphetamine? Are there such drugs?

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Amphetamine-like tablets

Phenamine tablets are often called amphetamine. This substance is a stimulant of the nervous system. In the drug environment, you can find a white or gray powder that is inhaled or used to create injections. The drug Phenamine cannot be bought at a pharmacy without a prescription, so most often it is made in artisanal conditions. Later in the article, you will learn which preparations contain amphetamine, and also whether it is possible to combine amphetamine and painkillers and other drugs to increase its effect. So, which pills contain amphetamines? nine0003

Medicines containing amphetamine

Amphetamine tablets do exist and are used for medical purposes. However, it is impossible to buy them in a pharmacy without a doctor's prescription. All other methods of obtaining amphetamine without a prescription are illegal and punishable under the laws of the Russian Federation.

What drugs contain amphetamine?

Some addicts who use drugs for a long time think about how to increase the effect and effect of amphetamine. Such drugs do exist in modern medicine. These are new drugs that can not only increase the effect of amphetamine at times, but also its side effects. The lethal effect of their combination is far from uncommon. nine0003

Amphetamine excites the central nervous system, as it is a psychostimulant. It increases the concentration of substances such as dopamine and norepinephrine. There are dexamphetamine and levoamphetamine, which are used in medicine. So, what is amphetamine in?

Medicines containing amphetamine

Vyvans

The so-called "amphetamine pills", a stimulant from the amphetamine group. Vyvanse or Lisdexamphetamine is used medically to treat ADHD in children. This psychotropic drug has a fairly long-term effect - up to 12 hours. In narcology, Vyvans is known as a pharmacy drug, which is quite addictive. It has found wide application in the USA and Canada. nine0003

Dexedrine

This is the oldest psychostimulant and "drug amphetamine" available in the states and Europe. The drug is used to treat obesity, ADHD and is an amphetamine isomer. Dexedrine is not included in the permitted amphetamine drugs in Russia. The drug can cause dependence, there is a risk of abuse as a narcotic substance.

Adderall

Adderall or dextroamphetamine sulfate is available in capsule and tablet form. This is a fairly common amphetamine drug that is produced to a large extent in the United States. The drug is quite dangerous and is included in the list of pharmacy drugs even abroad. In pharmacies, it is sold strictly by prescription. Adderall contains amphetamine salts and is used to enhance cognitive abilities and treat narcolepsy. The drug is not only a euphoretic, but also an aphrodisiac, and is also used in sports as a dope. nine0003

Now you know which drugs contain amphetamines.

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How to enhance the effect of amphetamine?

What increases the effect of amphetamine? Of particular danger is the combination of amphetamine-type drugs and psychotropic substances, such as MAO inhibitors, antidepressants and psychostimulants. They affect the concentration of neurotransmitters and enhance the effect of amphetamine. However, the combination of these drugs can have different effects on people. If a person has a fast enough metabolism, they will experience severe side effects from the combination of amphetamine and other drugs. How to prolong the effect of amphetamine? nine0003

MAOI

Monoamine oxidase inhibitors are biologically active substances that inhibit enzymes contained in nerve endings and prevent destruction, as well as increase the concentration of dopamine, norepinephrine, serotonin, etc.

MAO inhibitors include the following amphetamines: Nialamide, Harmaline, and Moclobemide.

Amphetamine-containing drugs enhance the release of neurotransmitters, while inhibitors slow down their excretion. Thus, the effect of enhancing the action of amphetamine arises. Naturally, such a combination leads to disruption of the internal organs and systems of the body, as well as the central nervous system. nine0003

Effects of combining an amphetamine drug with an MAOI:

  • panic attacks;
  • hemorrhage;
  • diseases of the cardiovascular system;
  • hypertension;
  • tachycardia;
  • serotonin syndrome;
  • renal insufficiency;
  • pulmonary edema.

Trying to enhance the effect of "fen", many drug addicts resort to the use of MAO inhibitors, but most often this leads to severe intoxication and death. nine0003

Combination of amphetamine and antidepressants

These tablets should not be mixed with amphetamine. Antidepressants are drugs designed to improve mood and increase a person's performance. The combination of amphetamine with SSRIs (selective inhibitors) and antidepressants can lead to the development of intoxication and serotonin syndrome, which is characterized by the following symptoms: