Short answer: Adderall is a mix of four amphetamine salts (about three parts dextroamphetamine to one part levoamphetamine) used to treat ADHD and narcolepsy. It is one of the most prescribed medicines in the US and a Schedule II controlled substance, because it can be misused and can lead to addiction.
Key takeaways
- What it is: Amphetamine is an amphetamine stimulant (mixed salts) and a Schedule II controlled substance in the US.
- Main uses: ADHD; narcolepsy.
- Timing: effects start in 30 to 60 minutes and last 4 to 6 hours (IR); 10 to 12 hours (XR).
- Most dangerous mix: MAOIs (phenelzine, selegiline, linezolid), which can cause dangerous rise in blood pressure.
- Naloxone: it does not reverse this drug, but give it whenever opioids could be involved.
- Dependence risk: Moderate to high.
- Legal route: only with a prescription from a DEA-registered clinician, filled by a licensed pharmacy.
What is amphetamine?
Adderall is approved for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and narcolepsy. Adderall XR and Mydayis are approved for ADHD.
Amphetamines release dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain, which improves attention, focus, and impulse control in people with ADHD. Stimulants are the most effective medicines for ADHD, helping about 70 to 80% of people.
Quick facts
| Fact | Amphetamine |
|---|---|
| Generic name | Mixed amphetamine salts (dextroamphetamine and amphetamine) |
| Brand names | Adderall, Adderall XR, Mydayis; also Evekeo, Adzenys XR-ODT |
| Drug class | Amphetamine-type central nervous system stimulant |
| US legal status | Schedule II, prescription only |
| Approved uses | ADHD (age 6 and up for most forms); narcolepsy |
| Forms | Tablets, extended-release capsules, orally disintegrating tablets |
| Onset | 30 to 60 minutes |
| Duration | 4 to 6 hours (IR); 10 to 12 hours (XR) |
| Half-life | About 10 to 13 hours |
How long does amphetamine last?
- Starts working: 30 to 60 minutes
- Effects last: 4 to 6 hours (IR); 10 to 12 hours (XR)
- Half-life: About 10 to 13 hours
Its half-life is 10 to 13 hours. Urine tests usually detect amphetamine for 2 to 4 days.
Timing varies with the dose, the form, how it is taken, liver and kidney function, age, and other drugs taken at the same time.
What are the biggest risks of amphetamine?
The FDA requires boxed warnings, its strongest, on amphetamine products, including:
- Adderall has a high potential for abuse and misuse, which can lead to a substance use disorder, including addiction. Misuse and abuse of CNS stimulants can result in overdose and death, and this risk is increased with higher doses or unapproved methods of administration, such as snorting or injection.
- Prescribers should assess each patient's risk before prescribing, monitor for signs of misuse throughout treatment, and counsel patients not to share their medicine.
Common side effects include decreased appetite, trouble sleeping, dry mouth, stomach pain, headache, weight loss, nervousness, and fast heart rate.
Serious risks include sudden death in people with heart defects or serious heart problems, stroke and heart attack in adults, high blood pressure, new psychosis or mania, slowed growth in children, poor circulation in fingers and toes (Raynaud's), and serotonin syndrome.
What should you never mix with amphetamine?
| Combined with | What happens | Label guidance |
|---|---|---|
| MAOIs (phenelzine, selegiline, linezolid) | Dangerous rise in blood pressure | Contraindicated within 14 days |
| Other stimulants, decongestants (pseudoephedrine) | High blood pressure, fast heart rate | Use caution |
| SSRIs, SNRIs, tramadol, triptans | Serotonin syndrome (rare) | Use caution |
| Alcohol | Masks drunkenness; heart strain | Avoid |
| Antacids and urine alkalinizers (sodium bicarbonate) | Raise amphetamine levels | Avoid |
| Vitamin C and acidic juices | Lower absorption | Take at different times |
Check any combination with the DoseUses combination checker or ask a pharmacist.
What are the signs of an amphetamine overdose, and what should you do?
Stimulant overdose causes restlessness, agitation, tremor, fast breathing, confusion, hallucinations, panic, very high body temperature, high or low blood pressure, chest pain, irregular heartbeat, seizures, and collapse.
If someone may be overdosing
- Call 911 for chest pain, a seizure, trouble breathing, signs of a stroke (face drooping, weakness on one side, slurred speech), a very high body temperature, or if the person collapses.
- Move them somewhere cool and calm, loosen tight clothing, and cool the skin with water. Do not try to hold them down.
- If they become unresponsive or their breathing slows, give naloxone. Street stimulants are often contaminated with fentanyl.
- For advice when the person is awake and stable, call Poison Help at 1-800-222-1222.
What happens when you stop Adderall?
Stopping Adderall after regular prescribed use does not cause dangerous physical withdrawal. ADHD symptoms return, and some people feel tired or low for a few days. After heavy misuse, a "crash" with exhaustion, increased sleep and appetite, and depression is common.
- Days 1 to 3CrashFatigue, long sleep, increased appetite, low mood, irritability.
- Weeks 1 to 2Low mood and cravingsLow energy, poor concentration, and cravings after heavy use.
- Weeks to monthsRecoveryMood and energy normalize; depression should be watched for.
See the withdrawal timelines and the full amphetamine withdrawal guide.
Is amphetamine legal?
In the United States, amphetamine is a Schedule II controlled substance. The only legal way to get it is with a prescription from a clinician registered with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), filled by a licensed pharmacy. Depending on state law, that can be a physician, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant.
- Refills: Schedule II prescriptions cannot be refilled. A prescriber can write several prescriptions at once, with dates when each may be filled, for up to a 90-day supply in total.
- Telehealth: federal flexibilities let DEA-registered clinicians prescribe Schedule II to V medicines after a telemedicine visit, without a prior in-person exam, through December 31, 2026. A permanent DEA rule was under final review in late 2026. State rules can be stricter.
- Monitoring: prescribers and pharmacists in most states check a prescription drug monitoring program, a database of controlled-substance prescriptions, before prescribing or dispensing.
Outside the United States
| Country | Status |
|---|---|
| United Kingdom | Class B; Adderall not licensed, but lisdexamfetamine and dexamfetamine are prescribed |
| Canada | Schedule I; Adderall XR prescribed |
| Japan | Amphetamines prohibited, including for medical use; bringing Adderall into Japan is illegal |
| International | Schedule II of the 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances |
Frequently asked questions about amphetamine
Is Adderall the same as amphetamine?
Adderall is a brand of mixed amphetamine salts, a blend of dextroamphetamine and levoamphetamine.
Is Adderall addictive?
It can be. Taken as prescribed for ADHD, addiction is uncommon, but misuse, especially at high doses or by snorting or injecting, can lead to stimulant use disorder.
Can you buy Adderall online?
Only with a valid prescription, filled by a licensed pharmacy. Telehealth prescribing is allowed through December 31, 2026. Adderall sold without a prescription is often counterfeit and has contained methamphetamine or fentanyl.
How long does Adderall stay in your system?
Its half-life is 10 to 13 hours. Urine tests usually detect amphetamine for 2 to 4 days.
Can you travel abroad with Adderall?
It depends on the country. Japan and some other countries prohibit amphetamines, even with a prescription. Check the destination's embassy rules before travel.
Does Adderall help people without ADHD study?
Studies show small or no improvements in learning for people without ADHD, along with real risks of side effects and misuse.
Sources
- Adderall (amphetamine) prescribing information, DailyMed, US National Library of Medicine.
- FDA updating warnings to improve safe use of prescription stimulants used to treat ADHD and other conditions, US Food and Drug Administration, 2023.
- Controlled Substance Schedules, DEA Diversion Control Division.
- 21 CFR 1306.12, Refilling prescriptions; issuance of multiple prescriptions (Schedule II), Electronic Code of Federal Regulations.
- Prescribing controlled substances via telehealth, US Department of Health and Human Services.
- BeSafeRx: Your Source for Online Pharmacy Information, US Food and Drug Administration.
- Safe Pharmacy, National Association of Boards of Pharmacy.
- One Pill Can Kill, US Drug Enforcement Administration.
This guide summarizes the sourced DoseUses Amphetamine profile, written from FDA labels, DEA rules, and federal health agencies. It is educational and is not medical advice. Last updated October 5, 2026.
