Adderall XR dosage, forms, and strengths

Adderall XR is a brand-name extended-release prescription drug that treats symptoms of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), including inattentiveness, hyperactivity, and poor impulse control. It is believed to work in the central nervous system (CNS) by increasing levels of certain chemicals called dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain. 

Unlike the immediate-release version of Adderall, multiple doses per day are not needed. As an extended-release formulation, Adderall XR delivers the active ingredient slowly throughout the day. Adderall XR is taken as a single dose once in the morning.

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Adderall XR forms and strengths

Adderall XR capsules come in six different strengths.

• Extended-release capsules: 5 mg, 10 mg, 15 mg, 20 mg, 25 mg, and 30 mg

Each extended-release capsule contains a mixture of four amphetamine salts: dextroamphetamine sulfate, amphetamine sulfate, dextroamphetamine saccharate, and amphetamine aspartate.

Adderall XR dosage for adults

The right Adderall dosage will vary depending on a person’s needs, how well the medicine works, and the risk of potential side effects. People typically begin at a low starting dose that may be gradually increased to reach the desired effect. The treatment goal is to find the lowest possible effective dose.

• Standard dosage for adults: 20–60 mg taken once daily in the morning 

• Maximum for adults: 60 mg per day

Even though the clinical trials tested doses up to 60 mg per day, there was insufficient evidence to show that doses exceeding 20 mg per day offered any extra benefits.

Adderall XR dosage for children

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the use of Adderall XR for children as young as six years of age for ADHD. 

• Standard dosage for children ages 6–12: 5–30 mg taken once daily in the morning

• Maximum dosage for children ages 6–12: 30 mg daily

• Standard dosage for adolescents ages 13–17: 10–40 mg taken once daily in the morning

• Maximum dosage for children ages 13–17: 40 mg daily

In clinical trials involving adolescents aged 13 to 17, doses exceeding 20 mg per day did not demonstrate any additional benefits.

Other considerations for Adderall XR dosages

Adderall XR should be used cautiously in individuals with kidney disease, as the drug is primarily cleared through the kidneys. Impaired kidney function can lead to a buildup of Adderall XR in the body, potentially causing increased adverse effects. To reduce potential risks of toxicity and other complications, it may be necessary to adjust the dosage of Adderall XR in patients with kidney disease.

• Adults with severe kidney disease: 15 mg once daily in the morning

• Children 6–17 with severe kidney disease: 5–20 mg once daily in the morning

• Adults and children with kidney failure (end-stage renal disease): Not recommended

Consult a doctor or healthcare provider if you have a history of kidney problems before taking Adderall XR. 

How to take Adderall XR

Adderall XR is taken by mouth as a capsule with or without food once in the morning.

• Take Adderall XR exactly as prescribed.

• Take the dose in the morning right after waking up.

• Swallow the capsule whole with water. Do not crush, break, or chew it.

• If swallowing the capsule is not possible, you can open it and sprinkle the contents onto a spoonful of applesauce.

  • Take the entire spoonful of applesauce and medicine immediately and swallow without chewing.

  • Follow up with a drink of water or other liquid.

  • Do not preserve the applesauce that contains Adderall XR.

• Do not take a dose in the afternoon, as Adderall XR is a stimulant drug that may interfere with sleeping.

• Read and follow the medication guide or instruction sheet that comes with the prescription.

• If too much Adderall XR is taken, seek immediate medical advice from a healthcare provider or poison control center.

• Always check the expiration date. If the expiration date has passed, dispose of the medication safely and get a new prescription.

• Adderall should be stored at room temperature (68°–77° F), away from moisture, heat, and light.

Adderall XR dosage FAQs

How long does it take Adderall XR to work?

Adderall XR capsules contain immediate-release and delayed-release beads. Therefore, it starts working within 30 minutes to one hour after administration. Food does not affect the body's absorption of Adderall XR.

How long does Adderall XR stay in your system?

Although Adderall XR can control ADHD symptoms for up to 12 hours, its active ingredients may stay in the system longer. The half-life of Adderall XR is around nine to 14 hours, which is how long it takes for half the amount of a drug to be eliminated from the body. This means these amphetamines are still easily detectable in the bloodstream 24 hours after taking Adderall XR. Because it can take four to five half-lives to completely clear a drug from the body, it could take up to 70 hours for the amphetamines in Adderall XR to fall to undetectable levels in the bloodstream. 

What happens if I miss a dose of Adderall XR?

A missed dose can be taken when remembered but not past noon, as the medicine may cause sleeplessness. In that case, it's best to wait until the next day to take a dose of Adderall XR. You can also check with your prescribing doctor or a pharmacist about what to do if a dose is missed.

How do I stop taking Adderall XR?

Adderall XR is a Schedule II controlled substance with a high potential for drug abuse and dependency. No matter the dose, always talk to a healthcare provider about how to stop taking Adderall XR. Suddenly stopping Adderall XR after long-term use can result in withdrawal symptoms, such as fatigue, depression, and problems sleeping. For most people, the dosage of Adderall XR may need to be tapered or gradually decreased before the drug can be stopped completely. 

There are a few situations that may require immediately stopping Adderall XR:

• If a person has a mental health disorder, tics, or Tourette’s syndrome, Adderall XR may provoke symptoms of the psychiatric condition or make the existing condition worse.

• Adderall XR can cause a rare but potentially serious condition called serotonin syndrome, marked by symptoms such as confusion, hallucinations, dizziness, tremors, muscle twitching, fast heartbeat, excessive sweating, and muscle rigidity.

• This medication may cause heart problems, including chest pain, shortness of breath, increased heart rate, or an irregular heartbeat.

• Some people may have seizures while taking Adderall XR.

• Some people may have an allergic or hypersensitivity reaction to Adderall XR.

In all these instances, Adderall XR should be stopped. The person taking Adderall XR should get immediate medical care to determine whether it should be temporarily or permanently discontinued.

What is the maximum dosage for Adderall XR?

The maximum dosage of Adderall XR tested in clinical trials is 60 mg daily for adults 18 and older, 40 mg daily for adolescents 13 to 17, and 30 mg daily for children aged six to 12. The maximum daily dose for children with severe kidney disease is 20 mg once daily, and the maximum daily dose for adults with severe kidney disease is 15 mg once daily. 

The recommended daily dose of Adderall XR may be much lower than the maximum dosage allowed. Higher doses may increase the risk of serious side effects. Therefore, it's recommended only to use the lowest effective dose. 

What interacts with Adderall XR?

Adderall XR can be taken with or without meals, as food does not significantly affect the body's ability to absorb and use the drug. However, high stomach acid may reduce the amount of Adderall XR absorbed by the body, making it less effective. It's best to avoid foods that increase stomach acid.

Avoiding foods or substances that can increase stomach acidity when taking the medication is often recommended. This includes avoiding highly acidic foods or drinks and vitamin C supplements when taking Adderall XR. It is also worth noting that high-fat meals may affect the absorption of certain ADHD medications, but this is not specific to Adderall XR.

Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) should never be taken with Adderall due to an increased risk of serotonin syndrome. Other drugs that may increase the risk of side effects of Adderall XR or alter its effectiveness include:

• Other CNS stimulants

• Antidepressants

• Mood stabilizers

• Opioids

• Certain migraine medications

• Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs)

• Alkalinizing agents

• Acidifying agents

This may not be a complete list of drug interactions associated with Adderall XR. Consult a healthcare provider about all possible drug interactions with Adderall XR. Tell your doctor about any over-the-counter medications, supplements, or herbal products you take before starting treatment with Adderall XR.

Sources

• Highlights of prescribing information, U.S. Food and Drug Administration (2023)

• Drug label information, DailyMed (2024)

• Amphetamine compound summary, U.S. National Library of Medicine (n.d.)

• Dextroamphetamine-Amphetamine, StatPearls (2023)

• Amphetamine, past, and present—a pharmacological and clinical perspective, Journal of Psychopharmacology (2013)