Adderall dosage, forms, and strengths

Medically reviewed by Marissa Walsh, Pharm.D., BCPS-AQ ID
Licensed Pharmacist
Updated Mar 18, 2025  •  Published Aug 3, 2021
Datos Verificados
In this article:

Key takeaways

  • Adderall is a controlled substance prescription medication that’s used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and narcolepsy in adults and some pediatric patients. 

  • In general, healthcare providers prescribe a lower starting dosage of Adderall. Then they increase the dosage slowly over time until your symptoms are well managed.

  • Adderall is typically taken one to three times per day, depending upon condition and if using Adderall IR (immediate-release formulation) or Adderall XR (extended-release formulation). If you’re taking multiple doses per day, the doses should be separated by four to six hours to achieve the desired effect. 

  • Stopping Adderall abruptly can cause serious withdrawal symptoms. Due to this risk, you should not stop taking Adderall before talking to a healthcare provider. 

Adderall is a prescription CNS stimulant medication that combines amphetamine and dextroamphetamine to enhance focus, attention, and impulse control in patients with ADHD. It should only be taken according to a doctor’s instructions. It is also prescribed for narcolepsy to reduce severe tiredness during the day. Adderall is available in two forms:

  • Immediate-release (IR): Taken 1–3 times daily.

  • Extended-release (XR): Taken once daily.

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Adderall forms and strengths

Adderall tablets come in seven different dose strengths.

Immediate-release (IR) tablets:

  • 5 mg, 7.5 mg, 10 mg, 12.5 mg, 15 mg, 20 mg, 30 mg

Extended-release (XR) capsules:

  • 5 mg, 10 mg, 15 mg, 20 mg, 25 mg, 30 mg

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Adderall dosage chart
Indication Age Starting dosage Standard dosage Maximum dosage
ADHD Adults and children 6 years and older 5 mg by mouth once or twice daily 5–40 mg by mouth once per day or divided into 2-3 daily doses every 4–6 hours Not specified
Children 3–5 years 2.5 mg by mouth once daily  2.5–40 mg by mouth once per day or divided into 2–3 daily doses every 4–6 hours Not specified
Narcolepsy Adults and children 12 years and older 10 mg by mouth once daily 20–60 mg by mouth once per day or divided into 2–3 daily doses every 4–6 hours Not specified
Children 6–11 years 5 mg by mouth once daily 5–60 mg by mouth once per day or divided into 2–3 daily doses every 4–6 hours Not specified

Each tablet contains amphetamine salts dextroamphetamine sulfate, amphetamine sulfate, dextroamphetamine saccharate, and d,1-amphetamine aspartate. Tablets are scored to allow them to be halved into two smaller doses.

Adderall dosage for children

The pediatric use of Adderall is approved for children as young as 3 years of age for ADHD and in children as young as 6 diagnosed with narcolepsy.

Adderall dosage by age

Adderall dosage by age
Age Standard dosage Maximum dosage
3-5 years old 2.5–40 mg (ADHD) divided into 1-3 daily doses taken by mouth every 4-6 hours Not specified
6 and older ADHD: 5–40 mg (ADHD) or 5–60 mg (narcolepsy) divided into 1-3 daily doses taken by mouth every 4-6 hours Not specified

Adderall dosage FAQs

How long does it take Adderall to work?

  • Immediate-release (IR): Effects begin within 30–45 minutes, peaking in 1–3 hours.

  • Extended-release (XR): Effects begin within 1–2 hours, lasting up to 12 hours.

Food does not significantly impact Adderall absorption, but taking it with a high-fat meal may slightly delay onset. In addition, amphetamine blood levels may be reduced if consumed with acidic foods, juices, or Vitamin C. 

How long does Adderall stay in your system?

Detection times vary by test type:

  • Urine: 72–96 hours

  • Blood: Up to 46 hours

  • Saliva: 20–50 hours

  • Hair: Up to 3 months

What happens if I miss a dose of Adderall?

A missed dose can be taken when remembered, but avoid taking a dose late in the day due to the potential for adverse effects. Remember that doses should be taken every four to six hours, so taking a missed dose will reset the clock. Never take additional doses of Adderall to make up for a missed dose due to the risk of potential side effects.

How do I stop taking Adderall?

Adderall can cause physical dependence when taken for a prolonged period of time. Because of its potential risks for substance abuse and addiction, the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) labels Adderall as a Schedule II controlled substance. Suddenly stopping Adderall can significantly impact quality of life by causing severe tiredness, depression, mood changes, and sleep problems. Before stopping Adderall, talk to a healthcare provider, like a doctor or pharmacist. In most cases, they will come up with treatment options for you to lower your dose gradually over a long time until it’s safe for you to stop the drug completely. If you’re experiencing serious side effects like an allergic reaction, or other side effects that won’t go away, talk to medical professionals right away. There may be some situations where you may need to stop Adderall abruptly. 

What is the maximum dosage for Adderall?

Immediate-release (IR) tablets:

  • 40-60mg/day in 2-3 divided doses

Extended-release (XR) capsules:

  • 40-60mg/day in 1 daily dose (taken in the morning)

In general, the starting dose is low and the lowest effective dose is continued under close medical supervision. While the drugmaker hasn’t specified a maximum dosage, the Prescriber’s Digital Reference (formerly the Physician’s Desk Reference) recommends a maximum dose of 60 mg per day for ADHD in adults and children 6 years and older, although higher doses above 40 mg per day are rarely necessary. The maximum dosage for children ages 3 to 5 years with ADHD is 40 mg per day. For adults and children with narcolepsy, the maximum dosage is 60 mg per day. 

What interacts with Adderall?

Drugs like Adderall that affect the brain can have a number of drug interactions. Examples of drugs that may interact with Adderall include: 

To lower the risk of interactions, discuss all current prescription and over-the-counter medications and medical conditions with a healthcare professional before you start Adderall treatment. 

Resources:

Medically reviewed by Marissa Walsh, Pharm.D., BCPS-AQ ID
Licensed Pharmacist

Marissa Walsh, Pharm.D., BCPS-AQ ID, graduated with her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University of Rhode Island in 2009, then went on to complete a PGY1 Pharmacy Practice Residency at Charleston Area Medical Center in Charleston, West Virginia, and a PGY2 Infectious Diseases Pharmacy Residency at Maine Medical Center in Portland, Maine. Dr. Walsh has worked as a clinical pharmacy specialist in Infectious Diseases in Portland, Maine, and Miami, Florida, prior to setting into her current role in Buffalo, New York, where she continues to work as an Infectious Diseases Pharmacist in a hematology/oncology population.

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