{"id":628856,"date":"2024-07-08T09:09:47","date_gmt":"2024-07-08T13:09:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=628856"},"modified":"2024-07-08T09:09:47","modified_gmt":"2024-07-08T13:09:47","slug":"how-long-does-adderall-take-to-work","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/how-long-does-adderall-take-to-work\/","title":{"rendered":"How long does it take Adderall to work?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Adderall, sold under the generic version of amphetamine\/dextroamphetamine) is a stimulant medication approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat the symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (<\/span>ADHD<\/span><\/a>). Adderall is also used to help people with narcolepsy stay awake during the day.<\/span><\/p>\n

There are two types of Adderall: Adderall IR and Adderall XR. Adderall IR, or immediate release (IR), starts to work quickly after taking the capsule, but the effect does not last as long. Adderall XR, or extended-release (XR), lasts longer throughout the day but takes longer to provide the full effects. Depending on which treatment option a person is taking, Adderall can begin working anywhere from 30 minutes to one hour after administration.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

RELATED: <\/b>What is Adderall?<\/b><\/a> | <\/span>Adderall coupons<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n

How long does Adderall take to work?\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

Depending on which type of Adderall your psychiatrist or healthcare provider has prescribed, the length of time it takes for Adderall to begin working to alleviate ADHD symptoms is usually 30 minutes to one hour. However, at this early stage, the medication is not yet providing its full effects.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cImmediate-release Adderall can take up to three hours to fully kick in while the extended-release formulation can take up to seven hours,\u201d states <\/span>Kenneth S. Fill<\/span><\/a>, Pharm.D., who works at Drugwatch.<\/span><\/p>\n

People will know the medication is working when it begins to improve executive functioning skills, like focus and concentration, which are often difficult for those with ADHD.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIndividuals taking Adderall at appropriate doses may experience an improved sense of focus, feel more alert, less fidgety, and a sense of calmness once it takes effect,\u201d said psychiatrist <\/span>Dr. Cooper Stone<\/span><\/a>. He added that some people only note improvements after taking it for a longer period of time. \u201cOn a longer-term time frame, individuals may report feeling less stressed and less <\/span>anxious<\/span><\/a> as a result of no longer falling behind on tasks and responsibilities that may have previously piled up and led to distress,\u201d he said.<\/span><\/p>\n

However, Dr. Stone also noted that anxiety can be a common side effect of taking the stimulant Adderall.<\/span><\/p>\n

The <\/span>therapeutic effects<\/span><\/a> of Adderall IR last about 4-6 hours. For Adderall XL, it\u2019s more like 8 to 12 hours. But it can be detected in your body for much longer than that. The timeframe can increase for those on high doses or for people who have been taking the medication for a long time.<\/span><\/p>\n

RELATED: <\/b>What you should know about prescription Adderall<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n

What can affect how long it takes Adderall to work?<\/span><\/h2>\n

There are a few factors that can affect the length of time Adderall takes to begin working.<\/span><\/p>\n

Food Interactions<\/span><\/h3>\n

Certain foods<\/span><\/a> can affect the body\u2019s potential to absorb Adderall. This includes:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n