{"id":631002,"date":"2025-01-10T16:37:57","date_gmt":"2025-01-10T21:37:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=631002"},"modified":"2026-04-06T14:00:54","modified_gmt":"2026-04-06T18:00:54","slug":"what-is-adderall-made-from","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/what-is-adderall-made-from\/","title":{"rendered":"What is Adderall made from?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Adderall<\/span><\/a> (amphetamine and dextroamphetamine) is a prescription medication used for the treatment of <\/span>attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder<\/span><\/a> (ADHD) and <\/span>narcolepsy<\/span><\/a>. Adderall is a <\/span>central nervous system (CNS) stimulant<\/span><\/a> medication and is available in both brand and generic formulations, as well as immediate-release (Adderall) and extended-release (<\/span>Adderall XR<\/span><\/a>) forms.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

If you or your child has taken Adderall or its generic version (<\/span>amphetamine and dextroamphetamine<\/span><\/a>, or mixed amphetamine salts), you may wonder, what is this medicine made of? Adderall is made up of a mixture of amphetamine and dextroamphetamine salts, along with inactive ingredients. Keep reading to learn more about <\/span>Adderall<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Adderall ingredients<\/span><\/h2>\n

While Adderall and Adderall XR, as well as their generic versions, contain amphetamine and dextroamphetamine as active ingredients (the ingredients that make the medication work), keep in mind that all medications\u2014whether brand or generic\u2014also contain inactive ingredients.<\/span><\/p>\n

Active ingredients in Adderall<\/span><\/h3>\n

Active ingredients are responsible for how the drug works. <\/span>Inactive ingredients<\/span><\/a> are any ingredients in a medication other than the active ingredient(s). For example, Adderall and its generic form (mixed amphetamine salts) contain amphetamine and dextroamphetamine as the active ingredients. However, a generic drug may have certain <\/span>minor differences<\/span><\/a> from the brand-name product, such as different inactive ingredients. While these inactive ingredients generally do not affect most people, certain individuals may need to be more aware of them due to allergies, sensitivities, or specific medical conditions.<\/span><\/p>\n

In Adderall and its generic forms, the active ingredients are mixed amphetamine salts. More specifically, they contain four types of amphetamines: d<\/span>extroamphetamine saccharate, amphetamine aspartate, dextroamphetamine sulfate, and amphetamine sulfate. Adderall XR contains the same four types of amphetamines but in an extended-release version that allows for once-daily dosing.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Inactive ingredients in Adderall<\/span><\/h3>\n

Adderall\u2019s<\/span> inactive ingredients<\/span><\/a> include colloidal silicon dioxide, compressible sugar (sucrose and maltodextrin), corn starch, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, and saccharin sodium. Some strengths of Adderall also contain color additives. While the active ingredients are the same for all versions of Adderall, the inactive ingredients may vary slightly between different generic manufacturers.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The <\/span>inactive ingredients in Adderall XR<\/span><\/a> include gelatin capsules (which contain edible inks, kosher gelatin, and titanium dioxide), hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, methacrylic acid copolymer, opadry beige, sugar spheres, talc, and triethyl citrate. Some strengths also contain certain color additives. Inactive ingredients may vary slightly between different generic manufacturers.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

How Adderall works in the body<\/span><\/h2>\n

Adderall is a central nervous system (CNS) stimulant. The active ingredients in Adderall <\/span>increase levels of neurotransmitters<\/span><\/a> (chemical messengers) in the brain called norepinephrine and, at higher doses, dopamine. At even higher doses, Adderall increases serotonin. Adderall helps improve attention, energy, alertness, and mood and decreases impulsivity and aggression.<\/span><\/p>\n

Due to the way Adderall works, it can also cause certain adverse effects, such as increased blood pressure (<\/span>hypertension<\/span><\/a>) and heart rate. In an overdose situation, Adderall can lead to severe cardiovascular problems, including dangerously high blood pressure, heart attack, and even sudden death. Adderall can also cause other side effects, such as decreased appetite and weight loss.<\/span><\/p>\n

RELATED: How much is Adderall without insurance?<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Is Adderall meth?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Adderall is not the same as methamphetamine, commonly known as meth. It may sound confusing as their ingredient names may sound similar.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Adderall contains a combination of amphetamine and dextroamphetamine, also known as mixed amphetamine salts. It is a legal prescription drug used for the treatment of ADHD and narcolepsy.<\/span><\/p>\n

On the other hand, <\/span>methamphetamine<\/span><\/a> is a different drug. It is available in prescription form as both generic methamphetamine and as the brand-name drug <\/span>Desoxyn<\/span><\/a>. <\/span>Methamphetamine<\/span><\/a> is frequently misused (used for a reason other than legitimate medical use) in its illicit form (crystal meth), which is made illegally in meth labs using other ingredients, too. For example, the active ingredient in Sudafed, <\/span>pseudoephedrine<\/span><\/a>, is often used in meth labs to make crystal meth. Because of this potential for misuse, <\/span>pseudoephedrine<\/span><\/a> products are highly regulated and kept behind the pharmacy counter rather than on store shelves. While prescription methamphetamine has uses that are approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), it has a <\/span>much higher potential for abuse<\/span><\/a> compared to most prescription amphetamines and is <\/span>rarely prescribed<\/span><\/a>. Misuse or overdose of methamphetamine (whether the product is prescription or illicit) can cause serious problems like seizures, stroke, or death.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The chart below compares some features of Adderall versus prescription methamphetamine. Click on the links for each drug to learn more about these medications, including serious side effects, warnings, and other important information.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
\n

Adderall vs. methamphetamine<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n

<\/td>\nAdderall (mixed amphetamine salts)<\/b><\/td>\nAdderall XR (mixed amphetamine salts, extended-release)<\/b><\/td>\nDesoxyn (methamphetamine)<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
FDA-approved uses<\/span><\/td>\nADHD in adults, as well as children and adolescents 3\u201317 years old<\/span><\/p>\n

Narcolepsy (ages 6 years and older)<\/span><\/td>\n

ADHD in adults, as well as children and adolescents 6 years and older<\/span><\/td>\nADHD in adults, as well as children and adolescents 6 years and older<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Most common side effects<\/span><\/td>\nStomach pain<\/span><\/p>\n

Decreased appetite<\/span><\/p>\n

Nervousness\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n

Dry mouth\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Decreased appetite<\/span><\/p>\n

Weight loss<\/span><\/p>\n

Trouble sleeping (sleep disorder or insomnia)<\/span><\/p>\n

Headache<\/span><\/p>\n

Nausea\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Diarrhea<\/span><\/p>\n

Anxiety\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Agitation<\/span><\/p>\n

Dizziness<\/span><\/p>\n

Fast heartbeat<\/span><\/p>\n

Weakness\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Urinary tract infection<\/span><\/td>\n

Fast or pounding heartbeat<\/span><\/p>\n

Dizziness<\/span><\/p>\n

Trouble sleeping (sleep disorder or insomnia)<\/span><\/p>\n

Shaking<\/span><\/p>\n

Headache<\/span><\/p>\n

Dry mouth\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Diarrhea\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

DEA controlled substance class<\/span><\/td>\nCII (<\/span>high potential for abuse and dependence<\/span><\/a>)<\/span><\/td>\nCII<\/span><\/td>\nCII (rarely prescribed)<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Adderall side effects and warnings<\/span><\/h2>\n

Side effects\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

The most common side effects of Adderall are:<\/span><\/p>\n