Adderall Dosage Guide: Typical and Maximum Dosages - GoodRx (2024)

If you or a loved one has attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), you may have heard of Adderall (amphetamine salt combo). The immediate-release form of this medication (Adderall IR) is FDA approved to treat ADHD and narcolepsy in children and adults. It also comes as an extended-release version called Adderall XR, which is approved to treat ADHD. These two forms of Adderall aren’t interchangeable, even though they have the same active ingredients. They’re absorbed in the body differently, so they’re taken in different ways.

The best Adderall dosage for you or your child depends on several factors. Be sure to follow your prescriber’s instructions for taking Adderall since the dosage will be specific to your needs.

What’s the typical Adderall dosage for adults?

Your Adderall dosage will depend on what you’re treating, how you respond, and which product you’re using.

ADHD

For people with ADHD, the usual starting dosage of Adderall IR is 5 mg once or twice daily. Your prescriber may increase your dosage every week until you find the right one. The maximum Adderall IR dosage for ADHD is 40 mg per day. If your prescriber recommends splitting your total daily dose into two or three smaller doses taken throughout the day, the doses should be spaced apart by 4 to 6 hours.

While some people may need to take Adderall IR two or three times a day, Adderall XR is only taken once a day. The typical Adderall XR dosage for ADHD in adults is 20 mg once daily in the morning. Studies have looked at dosages of up to 60 mg per day and haven’t found additional benefits to taking over 20 mg per day.

Regardless of which Adderall form you’re prescribed, avoid taking your doses late in the day. Taking Adderall too close to bedtime may cause trouble sleeping.

Good to know: You may need both Adderall IR and Adderall XR to control your ADHD symptoms. Or you may want to switch from Adderall IR to Adderall XR or vice versa at some point. But don’t try making the Adderall IR to Adderall XR conversion without your prescriber’s guidance. They can help you make the switch safely and monitor you to make sure your ADHD symptoms aren’t worsening.

Narcolepsy

The typical Adderall IR dosage for narcolepsy starts at 10 mg once daily. Your daily dose can be increased by 10 mg every week if needed. The maximum Adderall IR dosage for narcolepsy is usually 60 mg daily. You may need to divide your daily dose into two or three smaller doses taken throughout the day to effectively treat narcolepsy.

Adderall XR isn’t FDA approved to treat narcolepsy, so we won’t discuss Adderall XR dosages for this purpose here. Still, it may be used off-label for narcolepsy. And in some cases, Adderall IR and Adderall XR may be combined to treat this condition.

What’s the typical Adderall dosage for children?

The typical Adderall dosage for children depends on their age, how they respond, and which form of Adderall they take.

ADHD

Adderall IR is approved to treat ADHD in children age 3 and older, and Adderall XR is approved to treat ADHD in children age 6 and older.

For Adderall IR, the recommended starting dosage for ADHD depends on the child’s age. If your child’s prescriber recommends splitting your child’s total daily dose into two or three smaller doses taken throughout the day, the doses should be spaced apart by 4 to 6 hours. The recommended Adderall IR dosages for ADHD based on age are below:

• 3-5 years old: The starting dosage is 2.5 mg once daily in the morning. If needed, your child’s prescriber may increase their daily dose by an additional 2.5 mg every week.

• 6 years and older: The starting dosage is 5 mg once or twice daily. Your child’s daily dose may then be increased weekly by 5 mg per day. The maximum dosage is 40 mg per day.

For Adderall XR, the recommended dosages based on age are below:

• 6-12 years old: The usual starting dosage is 5-10 mg once daily in the morning. If needed, your child’s daily dose may be increased by 5-10 mg every week, up to a maximum of 30 mg per day.

• 13-17 years old: The usual starting dosage is 10 mg once daily in the morning. If needed, your child’s prescriber may increase their dose to 20 mg after 1 week.

Narcolepsy

Adderall IR is approved to treat narcolepsy in children ages 6 to 12 years old. The typical dosage starts at 5 mg once daily. Your child’s prescriber may increase their daily dose by 5 mg on a weekly basis, as tolerated, and until their narcolepsy symptoms are well managed.

For children 12 years of age and older, the usual starting dosage is 10 mg daily. Your child’s daily dose may be increased by 10 mg daily on a weekly basis, as tolerated, and until their narcolepsy symptoms are well managed.

Your child may need two or three doses of Adderall IR per day to effectively treat their narcolepsy.

Tips for administering Adderall

Taking Adderall IR and Adderall XR correctly will help you get the most out of your medication. A few tips include:

• Be sure you know how often you’re supposed to take your medication. How long Adderall lasts depends on which form you take. Both forms last several hours, but Adderall XR lasts longer. This is why it’s only taken once a day, whereas Adderall IR is taken one to three times a day.

• Space your doses correctly. Adderall IR and Adderall XR are usually taken first thing in the morning. If you take two or three doses of Adderall IR per day, the doses should be spaced 4-6 hours apart. Try to avoid taking your doses in the evening so your sleep isn’t impacted.

• Pick a convenient time to take your medication. Both Adderall and Adderall XR can be taken with or without food, so pick times when you’re most likely to remember to take your medication.

• Know the right way to administer Adderall. Adderall XR capsules can be taken whole or opened and sprinkled on applesauce. Make sure to consume the applesauce-medication mixture immediately and swallow without chewing. Adderall IR comes as tablets that can be cut or crushed if you have difficulty swallowing tablets.

• Store Adderall away from children. It’s a good idea to keep Adderall in a place that’s out of reach for children, like a locked cabinet. This will help you make sure your child doesn’t mistakenly take Adderall without you knowing.

Are there any dosage adjustments for health conditions?

The kidneys help your body get rid of Adderall IR and Adderall XR. So if you have kidney problems, you may need a lower dosage of Adderall. You also may need a different dosage if you take certain medications.

Dosage for people with kidney problems

For Adderall IR, your dosage may be lower than usual if you have kidney problems. This is especially true if your kidney problems are severe. Your prescriber will let you know what they recommend.

For Adderall XR, the recommended dosage for people with severe kidney problems is 15 mg once daily for adults and 5 mg once daily for children.

People who have end-stage kidney disease or who are on dialysis shouldn’t take Adderall IR or Adderall XR.

Dosage when taken with interacting medications

Some medications can interact with Adderall. This can increase your risk of side effects. To minimize the risks, your prescriber may adjust the dosage of one or more of your medications or advise you to avoid Adderall altogether.

Your prescriber and pharmacist can help you check whether any of your existing medications interact with Adderall. Share your current medication list with your care team so they can screen for potential interactions. Include any over-the-counter medications and supplements you take.

What happens if you miss a dose of Adderall?

If you forget to take a dose of Adderall IR, take it as soon as you remember. But if it’s close to your next dose or getting late in the day, skip the missed dose. Then, resume your usual medication schedule.

If you miss a dose of Adderall XR, skip the missed dose. Then, resume your usual medication schedule the following day. Don’t take a dose later in the day to make up for a missed dose.

In general, don’t take extra doses of Adderall or Adderall XR, even if you missed an earlier dose. This can increase your risk for side effects and may lead to an Adderall overdose.

What should you do if you take too much Adderall?

If you take too much Adderall IR or Adderall XR, let your healthcare team know immediately. You can also call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222.

Typically, taking an extra dose of Adderall by accident won’t cause serious problems. But you may be more likely to have side effects, like changes in blood pressure, heart rate, or mood. In some cases — especially if you took a large amount of Adderall — you may need immediate medical care.

Taking too much Adderall can cause serious symptoms like confusion, hallucinations, and rapid heartbeat. This can lead to heart attacks, seizures, and even death. If someone takes a large amount of Adderall IR or Adderall XR, get emergency help right away by calling 911 or going to the nearest emergency room.

Good to know: Adderall IR and Adderall XR are controlled substances. So regularly taking more than what you’re prescribed can increase your risk of dependence and misuse. Taking Adderall exactly as prescribed can help minimize your risk of experiencing these issues. However, if you think that you or someone you know is struggling with Adderall misuse, help is available. Call SAMHSA’s National Helpline at 1-800-662-4357 to learn about resources in your area.

Who should avoid Adderall?

Due to the potential side effects, certain people need to be more careful while taking Adderall. This includes children and adults who:

• Have a history of medication or substance misuse

• Have a higher risk of heart problems

• Have an existing mental health condition, like bipolar disorder

• Have circulation problems in the fingers or toes

• Have a condition where they experience repeated movements or sounds (tics), like Tourette’s syndrome, or who have a family history of tics or Tourette’s syndrome

• Have a history of seizures

• Are pregnant or plan to become pregnant

• Are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed

Additionally, some people may need to avoid Adderall altogether. This includes people who:

• Have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI), such as selegiline (Emsam, Zelapar) or linezolid (Zyvox), in the part 14 days

• Have end-stage kidney disease

• Have serious heart problems