Adderall®
Amphetamine Salts
Version 2025-04 · Last reviewed April 1, 2025 · Methodology
List Price
$350
With Insurance
$30-60
The Short Version
Essentials
Adderall is a stimulant that helps you focus by increasing dopamine and norepinephrine in your brain. It's mainly prescribed for ADHD and narcolepsy.
It works fast — usually within 30-60 minutes and lasts 4-6 hours (immediate release) or 10-12 hours (XR/extended release).
The most common side effects are loss of appetite (35%) and trouble sleeping (30%). Most people also notice a faster heartbeat and dry mouth.
90% of ADHD drug trials were funded by pharmaceutical companies, and key ADHD researchers have financial ties to stimulant manufacturers. Independent studies show behavioral therapy has comparable long-term outcomes.
Quick Answers
Now what?
You've read the evidence. Here are your next steps.
Compare Alternatives
Vyvanse, Ritalin & more
Talk to Your Doctor
Ask: "Have we tried behavioral therapy or dietary changes before medication?"
FDA Black Box Warning
HIGH POTENTIAL FOR ABUSE
Schedule II. Dependence, diversion, and sudden cardiac death reported.
Strict Contraindications
How It Works
Amphetamine salts reverse the normal direction of the dopamine and norepinephrine transporters — instead of just blocking reuptake, they actively pump these neurotransmitters into the synapse. In ADHD, this corrects a deficiency of dopamine/norepinephrine signaling in the prefrontal cortex.
Why the side effects happen
Dopamine in the reward pathway explains abuse potential. Norepinephrine in the cardiovascular system explains increased heart rate and blood pressure. Appetite suppression is mediated by hypothalamic dopamine. The peripheral sympathomimetic effects (dry mouth, sweating) come from norepinephrine affecting peripheral alpha and beta adrenergic receptors.
When Will I Feel It?
Works the same day it is taken — unlike antidepressants. Immediate-release lasts 4–6 hours; extended-release 8–10 hours. Effects are tied to when each dose is active.
ADHD symptom improvement begins. Focus, organization, and impulse control improve noticeably.
Peak effect (IR formulation). Most productive window for cognitively demanding tasks.
"Wearing off" with IR — some patients experience rebound irritability as the drug clears.
Extended-release provides coverage through the school/work day. Evening insomnia common.
Adherence Note
Adderall works immediately or it doesn't work — if you feel no effect at a therapeutic dose, either the dose is too low, the formulation needs adjustment, or ADHD may not be the primary diagnosis. This is different from antidepressants that take weeks.
Medical Disclaimer
The information on this page is compiled from publicly available clinical trial data, FDA prescribing information, and peer-reviewed literature. It is provided for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment recommendations. Individual responses to medications vary. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
Common Side Effects
While taking this medication, you may experience the following common side effects. We've included tips on how to manage them.
Decreased appetite
35%Eat breakfast before the dose takes effect
Insomnia / sleep trouble
30%Take dose early in the morning; avoid afternoon doses
Increased heart rate
25%Monitor pulse; notify doctor if over 100 bpm at rest
Dry mouth
22%Sip water throughout the day; sugar-free gum helps
Headache
20%Stay hydrated; can reduce over time
Anxiety / nervousness
18%Report to doctor; dose may need adjustment
Irritability / mood swings
15%Often occurs as medication wears off ("rebound")
Weight loss
13%Ensure adequate caloric intake; eat when hungry
Increased blood pressure
12%Monitor blood pressure regularly
Stomach pain / nausea
10%Take with food to reduce stomach upset
Serious Adverse Effects
- • Sudden cardiac death
- • Stroke
- • Psychiatric episodes (psychosis)
- • Serious cardiovascular events
- • Growth suppression in children
- • Serotonin syndrome (with other drugs)
Drug Interactions
Major Interactions (Avoid)
Moderate Interactions (Caution)
Food Interactions
When to Contact Your Doctor
This medication requires ongoing medical supervision. The following situations warrant a prompt conversation with your prescribing physician — do not wait for your next scheduled appointment.
Contact soon if you notice
- Sudden cardiac death
- Stroke
- Psychiatric episodes (psychosis)
- Serious cardiovascular events
- Extreme fatigue or hypersomnia (sleeping 12+ hours)
Also discuss if you want to
- Review whether this medication is still appropriate for you
- Consider dosage adjustments based on response
- Explore lifestyle or non-drug alternatives
- Understand stopping or tapering options
- Plan monitoring labs and follow-up
In the US, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room for severe symptoms. Poison Control: 1-800-222-1222.
Special Populations
Safety classifications for specific groups — discuss with your provider before use.
Risk of premature birth, low birth weight. Avoid if possible.
Passes into breast milk. Avoid.
Estrogen directly affects the brain's dopamine system — the same system ADHD medications work on. As estrogen fluctuates and drops during perimenopause, many women notice new attention difficulties, brain fog, and mood swings. Some women are first diagnosed with ADHD in their 40s when hormonal change — not a lifelong attention disorder — may be the actual cause. Ask your doctor about ruling out perimenopause before or alongside any ADHD evaluation.
Monitor growth; not recommended under age 3. Importantly: processed foods and excess sugars/carbs cause a blood sugar spike followed by an insulin overcorrection — blood sugar crashes, and the body releases adrenaline to compensate. This adrenaline surge causes shakiness, anxiety, restlessness, and inability to focus — symptoms that are frequently diagnosed as ADHD. A trial of whole foods with reduced sugar and processed carbs should always be attempted before or alongside medication in children.
Greater cardiovascular risk. Lower doses.
Use lower doses; monitor
FDA Adverse Event Reports
Patient-filed reports from the FDA FAERS database · refreshed daily
Community Reports
User-reported experiences — anonymous & anecdotal
Medical Disclaimer
The information on this page is compiled from publicly available clinical trial data, FDA prescribing information, and peer-reviewed literature. It is provided for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment recommendations. Individual responses to medications vary. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
Metabolic & Lifestyle Alternatives
Non-Drug & Behavioral ADHD Approaches
Behavioral therapy shows comparable long-term outcomes in several large trials — may be preferred first-line for some patients
Important context: Evidence quality varies across these approaches. Some are well-studied with randomized controlled trial data; others are based on observational or smaller studies. These interventions are not guaranteed to replace medication for all patients. Discuss with your doctor whether any of these are appropriate for your clinical situation.
How It Compares
Adderall is one of the most effective stimulants for ADHD but has a higher abuse potential profile than Vyvanse due to faster onset and amphetamine salt formulation.
Strengths
- Highly effective for ADHD (70–80% response rate)
- Multiple formulations (IR, XR)
- Fast onset — know immediately if it's working
- Well-studied across decades
Weaknesses
- Schedule II — monthly prescription required, no refills
- High abuse potential
- Appetite suppression and insomnia at higher doses
- Cardiovascular monitoring required
Clinically Preferred Alternatives
Global Prescribing & Pricing
US prescribes amphetamine stimulants at 3–4x the rate of all other countries
United States
$100–200 (generic)/mo
10% of children, 4.4% of adults — highest globally
Available with diagnosis; no behavioral therapy prerequisite required
Varies; prior auth often needed
United Kingdom
~$50/mo
1.5% of children — 6× lower than US
NICE requires behavioral therapy before medication for children; specialist initiation only
Covered by NHS with specialist review
France
~$33/mo
0.8% of children — 12× lower than US
Mandatory psychotherapy before prescribing; strict annual re-evaluation required
Covered by Assurance Maladie
Japan
Banned/mo
0% — amphetamines are Class A controlled substances
Completely prohibited; methylphenidate is the only stimulant alternative available
Not available
Germany
~$55/mo
1.2% of children
Comprehensive neuropsychological evaluation plus multimodal behavioral therapy required first
Covered by GKV with evaluation
France produces equivalent or better long-term academic outcomes using 12× fewer prescriptions by requiring psychotherapy first. Japan banned amphetamine-class drugs entirely — its ADHD treatment model relies on school-based behavioral interventions with no drug component.
Clinical Trials & Funding
Understanding who funds research helps contextualize results. Industry-funded trials are not automatically invalid — they undergo the same FDA review — but declared conflicts and sponsor effects are worth knowing. All linked trials can be verified on ClinicalTrials.gov.
Funding Sources
90% of ADHD drug trials funded by pharmaceutical companies. CHADD (advocacy group) receives 25-28% funding from pharma. Most long-term trials sponsored by Shire/Takeda.
Declared Conflicts of Interest
Key ADHD researchers receive consulting fees from stimulant manufacturers. DSM committee members who defined ADHD criteria had significant pharma ties. Marketing spend $4B+ annually.
Key Efficacy Results
Symptom reduction 60-70%, but tolerance develops in 40% by 2 years
Referenced Studies
Each study carries a Cochrane RoB-2 risk-of-bias badge — tap the badge for details.
Evidence & Transparency
Cochrane RoB-2 (Risk of Bias)
Badges reflect an editorial assessment using Cochrane's RoB-2 tool domains: randomization, intervention deviation, missing data, outcome measurement, and selective reporting. These are not certified Cochrane reviews. Learn more ↗
CMS Open Payments
Manufacturer payment disclosures are reported via the CMS Sunshine Act. Disclosure is legally required and does not imply bias or misconduct. Language uses "may," "suggests," or "appears" — never definitive clinical claims. CMS Open Payments ↗
Live Clinical Trials
Live from ClinicalTrials.gov · refreshed every 4 hours
Currently enrolling, active, and recently completed studies involving Amphetamine Salts. Data is pulled directly from the U.S. National Library of Medicine.
Recent Research
Live from PubMed · peer-reviewed literature · refreshed every 4 hours
Most recently indexed clinical trials and systematic reviews mentioning Amphetamine Salts in PubMed.
Source Documentation
Structured citations for referenced clinical trials
Each referenced trial is listed with its registry ID, funding source, and bias assessment. Use the copy button to generate a formatted citation.
| Trial | Registry ID | Cite |
|---|---|---|
| MTA Study (NIH) | NCT00000388 | |
| Adderall XR ADHD | NCT00507065 |
Bias ratings use Cochrane RoB-2 methodology. Editorial assessment — not a certified Cochrane review.
Our MethodologyMedical Disclaimer
The information on this page is compiled from publicly available clinical trial data, FDA prescribing information, and peer-reviewed literature. It is provided for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment recommendations. Individual responses to medications vary. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
Stopping This Medication Safely
Stimulant withdrawal causes significant fatigue, low mood, and increased sleep. Dopamine and norepinephrine systems need time to re-regulate after stimulant dependence.
What Published Research Shows About Stopping This Medication
This summarizes what published research documents — it is not personal medical advice. Any changes to your medication require discussion with your prescribing physician.
- ·Published tapering protocols describe dose reduction of 25% every 1–2 weeks (e.g., 20mg → 15mg → 10mg → 5mg → stop)
- ·Research supports establishing a consistent sleep schedule and aerobic exercise before stopping — both help with natural dopamine restoration
- ·Clinical guidance suggests planning discontinuation during a lower-demand period (school break, less work stress)
- ·Research supports having behavioral therapy or ADHD coaching in place before stopping
Warning Symptoms — Contact Your Doctor If You Experience:
- Extreme fatigue or hypersomnia (sleeping 12+ hours)
- Depressed or irritable mood
- Severely increased appetite
- Concentration worse than pre-medication baseline
Never change or stop a medication without consulting your prescribing physician.
Questions for Your Doctor
Questions to Ask
- 1.Has my child's diet been looked at first? High-sugar and processed-carb foods spike blood sugar — then the body overreacts with insulin and blood sugar crashes. The body then releases adrenaline to bring it back up, causing shakiness, anxiety, restlessness, and inability to focus. This can look exactly like ADHD. Has a dietary trial been tried before medication?
- 2.Have we tried behavioral therapy alongside or before medication?
- 3.What monitoring will we do for heart health?
- 4.Are there drug holidays on weekends or summers?
- 5.What are the long-term effects on growth?
Lab Tests to Request
- Blood pressure
- Heart rate
- Height/weight (children)
- Fasting blood sugar — to check for reactive hypoglycemia
- Anxiety screening
Medical Disclaimer
The information on this page is compiled from publicly available clinical trial data, FDA prescribing information, and peer-reviewed literature. It is provided for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment recommendations. Individual responses to medications vary. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
People Also Look At
Related ADHD medications
Frequently Asked Questions About Adderall®
- What is Adderall® used for?
- Adderall® (Amphetamine Salts) is a CNS Stimulant manufactured by Takeda/Generic. FDA-approved indications include: ADHD; Narcolepsy.
- What are the common side effects of Adderall®?
- Common side effects of Adderall® include: Decreased appetite (35%); Insomnia / sleep trouble (30%); Increased heart rate (25%); Dry mouth (22%); Headache (20%).
- How much does Adderall® cost?
- Adderall® list price is approximately $350. With insurance it typically costs $30-60; without insurance approximately $100-200.
- Who funded the clinical trials for Adderall®?
- 90% of ADHD drug trials funded by pharmaceutical companies. CHADD (advocacy group) receives 25-28% funding from pharma. Most long-term trials sponsored by Shire/Takeda.
- How strong is the clinical evidence for Adderall®?
- Key studies: MTA Study, AHRQ review of 2,000+ trials. Symptom reduction 60-70%, but tolerance develops in 40% by 2 years Potential conflicts of interest: Key ADHD researchers receive consulting fees from stimulant manufacturers. DSM committee members who defined ADHD criteria had significant pharma ties. Marketing spend $4B+ annually..
- Are there non-drug alternatives to Adderall®?
- Behavioral therapy shows comparable long-term outcomes in several large trials — may be preferred first-line for some patients See the Alternatives tab for full details.
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