Adderall (amphetamine/dextroamphetamine) is a brand-name drug prescribed for ADHD and narcolepsy in adults and some children. Adderall comes in two forms. The dosage varies depending on your age, the form prescribed, and other factors.
Adderall belongs to a drug class called stimulants. Adderall is available in a generic version.
Keep reading for specific information about the dosage of Adderall, including its forms, strengths, and how to take the medication. For a comprehensive look at Adderall, see this article.
Note: This article describes typical dosages as provided by the drug’s manufacturers. Always follow the dosage prescribed by your doctor.
Below is information about Adderall’s forms, strengths, and dosages.
Adderall forms
Adderall comes in two oral forms:
- Adderall tablet, which is an immediate-release (IR) form of the drug. IR means the drug is released into your body right away after taking a dose.
- Adderall XR capsule, which is an extended-release (ER) form of the drug. ER means the drug is gradually released into your body over time.
For the remainder of this article, the term “Adderall” refers to both forms of the drug except where specified.
Adderall strengths
The table below describes the available strengths of Adderall tablet and Adderall XR capsule. All strengths are shown in milligrams (mg).
| Form | Strength |
|---|---|
| Adderall tablet | • 5 mg • 7.5 mg • 10 mg • 12.5 mg • 15 mg • 20 mg • 30 mg |
| Adderall XR capsule | • 5 mg • 10 mg • 15 mg • 20 mg • 25 mg • 30 mg |
Typical dosages
The following information describes the commonly recommended or normal Adderall dosages in adults. However, be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. Your doctor will determine the best dosage to fit your needs. In some cases, doctors may adjust your dosage from those shown below.
Dosage for ADHD
Doctors may prescribe Adderall tablet or Adderall XR capsule to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
If your doctor prescribes Adderall tablet, your starting dose will likely be 5 mg. Typically, you’ll take this amount once or twice daily. After a week, your doctor may recommend increasing your dosage to 10 mg once or twice daily. This is the typically recommended dosage of Adderall tablet for adults with ADHD.
If this dose isn’t working for you, your doctor may recommend increasing your dose by 5 mg each week to find the right amount for you. The maximum dosage of Adderall tablet is 40 mg daily.
If your doctor prescribes Adderall XR, your starting dose will likely be 20 mg. You’ll take this amount once daily. This is the typically recommended dosage of Adderall XR capsule for adults with ADHD. The maximum dosage of Adderall XR capsule is 20 mg daily.
Adderall dosage chart for ADHD in adults
Below is a summary of the typical dosages of Adderall tablet and Adderall XR capsule for ADHD in adults:
| Medication | Starting dosage | Maintenance dosage | Maximum dose per 24 hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adderall tablet | 5 mg once or twice daily | 5 mg to 40 mg, usually divided into 2 or 3 doses throughout the day | 40 mg |
| Adderall XR capsule | 20 mg once daily | 15 mg to 20 mg once daily | 20 mg |
Your doctor will choose a maintenance dosage that suits your needs. For more information about your specific dosage for ADHD, talk with your doctor.
Dosage for narcolepsy
Adderall tablet is also approved to treat narcolepsy in adults. Adderall XR capsule is not approved for this use.
The recommended starting dose of Adderall tablet for narcolepsy is 10 mg. You’ll usually take this amount once daily or in divided doses throughout the day. After a week, your doctor may recommend increasing your dosage to 20 mg daily.
If this dose isn’t working for you, your doctor may recommend increasing your dose by 10 mg each week to find the right amount for you. The maximum dosage of Adderall tablet that’s recommended for narcolepsy is 60 mg daily. It’s usually divided into two or three doses taken throughout the day.
Talk with your doctor if you have questions about your dosage for narcolepsy.
Children’s dosages
For some medications, a child’s dosage is based on their body weight. However, this is not the case for Adderall. Instead, the dosage is based on the drug form, the child’s age, and the condition being treated. Always follow the dosage the doctor prescribes for your child.
Adderall tablet dosage in children
Adderall tablet is approved to treat ADHD in children ages 3 years and older and narcolepsy in children ages 6 years and older. The table below shows the typical dosage range.
| Condition | Child’s age | Typical Adderall dosage |
|---|---|---|
| ADHD | 3 to 5 years | 2.5 mg to 40 mg daily, taken as divided doses throughout the day |
| ADHD | 6 years and older | 5 mg to 40 mg daily, taken as divided doses throughout the day |
| narcolepsy | 6 to 12 years | 5 mg to 60 mg daily, taken as divided doses throughout the day |
| narcolepsy | 12 years and older | 10 mg to 60 mg daily, taken as divided doses throughout the day |
Adderall XR capsule dosage in children
Adderall XR capsule is approved to treat ADHD in children ages 6 years and older. The table below shows the typical dosage range by age:
| Child’s age | Typical Adderall XR dosage |
|---|---|
| 6 to 12 years | 5 mg to 30 mg, taken once daily |
| 13 years and older | 10 mg to 20 mg, taken once daily |
Talk with your child’s doctor if you have questions about their dosage.
How to take Adderall
Adderall tablet is swallowed whole, with or without food. If needed, you can cut the tablet in half using the markings on the edge of the tablet as a guide.
Your first Adderall tablet dose of the day should be taken when you first wake up. This is usually in the morning. If your doctor recommends it, you may take one or two additional doses throughout the day separated by 4 to 6 hours. However, avoid taking Adderall late in the afternoon or evening. This is because Adderall may disrupt your sleep.
Adderall XR capsule is swallowed whole, with or without food. If you prefer, you can open the capsule and sprinkle the pellets on applesauce. You’ll have to swallow the entire mixture right away without chewing the pellets. Then drink water and make sure you swallow all the pellets.
Adderall XR capsule should be taken once daily after you first wake up. Most people take it in the morning. Taking this form of the medication in the afternoon isn’t usually recommended because the drug may disrupt your sleep.
If you have trouble swallowing capsules or tablets, see this article for tips on how to swallow these forms of medication. You can also talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Long-term treatment
Adderall is usually taken as a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that Adderall is safe and effective for you, you’ll likely take it long term.
Before you start taking Adderall, your doctor will discuss your treatment plan with you.
ACCESSIBLE DRUG LABELS AND CONTAINERSSome pharmacies offer labels with large print, braille, or a code you scan with a smartphone to convert text to speech. If your local pharmacy doesn’t have these options, your doctor or pharmacist might be able to recommend a pharmacy that does.
If you’re having trouble opening medication bottles, ask your pharmacist about putting Adderall in an easy-open container. They also may recommend tools that can make it easier to open bottles.
Below are some frequently asked questions about Adderall.
Are the dosages of Adderall for adults and children based on weight?
No. For some medications, the dosage is based on a person’s body weight. However, this is not the case for Adderall. Instead, for both adults and children, the dosage is based on the following factors:
- the form prescribed (Adderall tablet versus Adderall XR capsule)
- your age
- the condition being treated (ADHD or narcolepsy)
- how well the medication works to treat your condition
You can refer to the Adderall dosage section for details. Talk with your doctor if you have questions about your dosage.
What are the signs that my Adderall dose is too low for ADHD?
If you’re taking Adderall as prescribed but your ADHD symptoms aren’t improving, it’s possible that your dosage is too low. Common symptoms of ADHD include:
- difficulty concentrating
- hyperactive behavior
- difficulty sitting still
- forgetting or misplacing things
But you should not increase your dosage on your own. Doing so may increase the risk of side effects. Instead, talk with your doctor about the symptoms you’re experiencing. Your doctor may recommend a different dosage. Or they may recommend other ways to manage your symptoms or prescribe a different ADHD medication.
Learn about the signs your medication is working.
It’s important that you do not take more Adderall than your doctor prescribes. For some medications, taking more than the recommended amount may lead to harmful effects or overdose.
Symptoms of an overdose
Overdose of stimulants, including Adderall, can cause:
- confusion
- high blood pressure
- rapid heart rate
- heart attack
- hallucinations
- seizures
- high body temperature
In severe cases, Adderall overuse can lead to coma.
If you take more than the recommended amount of Adderall
Call your doctor right away if you believe you’ve taken too much Adderall. Another option is to call America’s Poison Centers at 800-222-1222 or use its online tool. If you have severe symptoms, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number, or go to the nearest emergency room.
For more information about ADHD, see our ADHD hub.
Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.