Last Updated: October 25, 2022

What Is Adderall Used For?

Adderall IR is FDA-approved to treat attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and narcolepsy in both children and adults, while Adderall XR is approved for ADHD only. In people with ADHD, Adderall can improve attention and focus while reducing hyperactivity and impulsivity.

Narcolepsy is characterized by excessive and spontaneous daytime sleepiness. Since Adderall promotes wakefulness, it can allow people with narcolepsy to maintain normal daytime routines. There are off-label uses for Adderall as well, including treatment-resistant depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder. However, there is some controversy about whether Adderall is truly effective for these disorders.

Adderall is often misused for its stimulant properties. High school and college students are particularly likely to misuse Adderall for its ability to enhance focus and concentration, hence its popularity as a “study drug.” Some people use Adderall as an alternative to other stimulants, such as methamphetamine.

Drug Comparisons

Adderall and other ADHD medications are all CNS stimulants that increase dopamine and norepinephrine levels in the brain. They are all classified as Schedule II drugs, meaning that they require a prescription and have a high risk for misuse and addiction. Although they are similar in many ways, they also have some different characteristics:

• Vyvanse vs. Adderall: Vyvanse and Adderall both have dextroamphetamine as their primary active ingredient. Similar to Adderall XR, Vyvanse is a long-acting medication and is taken once daily. However, in Vyvanse, the dextroamphetamine is only active after being processed by the body and reaching the red blood cells. This may make it less likely to be abused through injection or snorting than Adderall, which is effective immediately.
• Ritalin vs. Adderall: Methylphenidate is the active ingredient in Ritalin, rather than the mixture of amphetamine salts in Adderall. Ritalin is more likely to cause stomach pain than Adderall. There are two versions of Ritalin: short-acting, which can be taken two or three times daily, and long-acting, which is usually taken once daily. 
• Concerta vs. Adderall: Like Ritalin, the active ingredient in Concerta is methylphenidate. Also like Ritalin, Concerta is more likely to cause stomach pain than Adderall. Concerta is formulated to be a long-acting drug and is taken once daily.
• Focalin vs. Adderall: The active ingredient in Focalin is dexmethylphenidate, which is the most active component of methylphenidate. Focalin is taken twice daily.

What Does Adderall Look Like?

Adderall comes in pill form. Pills are round or elliptical, and the colors vary based on the dosage:

• 5 mg: White to off-white, round, stamped with “5” on one side and “dp” on the other side
• 7.5 mg: Blue, oval, stamped with “7.5” on one side and “d | p” on the other side
• 10 mg: Blue, round, stamped with “1 | 0” on one side and “dp” on the other side
• 12.5 mg: Peach, round, stamped with “12.5” on one side and “d | p” on the other side
• 15 mg: Peach, oval, stamped with “15” on one side and “d | p” on the other side
• 20 mg: Peach, round, stamped with “2 | 0” on one side “dp” on the other side
• 30 mg: Peach, round, stamped with “3 | 0” on one side “dp” on the other side

Adderall XR comes in capsule form, and the colors vary based on the dosage:

• 5 mg capsules: Clear/blue, imprinted with ADDERALL XR 5 mg
• 10 mg capsules: Blue/blue, imprinted with ADDERALL XR 10 mg
• 15 mg capsules: Blue/white, imprinted with ADDERALL XR 15 mg
• 20 mg capsules: Orange/orange, imprinted with ADDERALL XR 20 mg
• 25 mg capsules: Orange/white, imprinted with ADDERALL XR 25 mg
• 30 mg capsules: Natural/orange, imprinted with ADDERALL XR 30 mg

Adderall Dosage and Administration

Adderall should always be started at the lowest dose and, if needed, incrementally increased until an effective dose is reached. The starting dose is generally 5 mg per day. Dosage can be increased at a rate of 5 mg per week until an effective dose is reached. The maximum recommended dose is 40 mg per day (for narcolepsy, the maximum recommended dose is 60 mg per day). The first dose is taken upon waking, and subsequent doses are taken at 4–6 hour intervals.

Administration Methods

The only approved administration route for Adderall is oral. Routes of administration when Adderall is misused include snorting, smoking or injecting intravenously.

What Are the Side Effects of Taking Adderall?

Adderall is associated with several side effects, including:

• Appetite loss
• Weight loss
• Dry mouth
• Stomach pain
• Increase in blood pressure
• Increased heart rate
• Insomnia
• Nervousness
• Anxiety
• Mood swings
• Headaches
• Excessive sweating
• Decreased libido

Some serious side effects may warrant medical attention. Call your doctor right away if you experience any of the following:

• Chest pain
• Shortness of breath
• Fainting
• Hallucinations
• Delusions
• Paranoia
• Aggressive or erratic behavior
• Numbness or pain in fingers or toes

Adderall may indirectly increase serotonin levels, which can be dangerous when other drugs (particularly antidepressants) are taken with Adderall. Serotonin syndrome is a potentially life-threatening condition caused by excess serotonin in the brain. If you notice any of the following side effects, call your doctor:

• Muscle spasms 
• Agitation
• Sweating 
• Tremor 
• Fever

Before starting Adderall, make sure your doctor is aware of any other drugs you may be taking. Even over-the-counter drugs may potentially have adverse interactions with Adderall.

Is Adderall Addictive?

As a Schedule II controlled substance, Adderall can be addictive even when taken as prescribed. Regular Adderall use causes tolerance, which means that higher and higher doses are needed in order to achieve the same effect. Adderall dependence means that withdrawal symptoms are experienced when the dose is reduced or eliminated, but it is not associated with compulsive drug-seeking behavior. Adderall addiction is an extension of dependence and is characterized by an inability to control the impulse to use Adderall.

Adderall Use Statistics

Adderall is the most commonly prescribed stimulant in America and is the 24th most commonly prescribed drug overall as of 2019. More than 3.5 million Americans were prescribed Adderall in 2019 alone.

Adderall Use in Ohio

Approximately 3 million Ohioans take stimulants like Adderall every year. Between June 2016 and January 2017, Adderall was the most frequently misused prescription stimulant in Ohio.