Adderall IR and Adderall XR Dosages: Your GoodRx Guide

Adderall (amphetamine salt combo) is a well-known treatment for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). It comes in an immediate-release form (which we’ll refer to as Adderall IR) as well as an extended-release version (Adderall XR). These two forms of Adderall are FDA approved for different conditions. They also have different recommended dosages.

The best Adderall dosage for you depends on several factors. Here, we’ll review the typical recommended Adderall dosages. But be sure to follow your prescriber’s instructions, since they’ll be specific to your needs.

What’s the typical Adderall dosage for adults?

Your Adderall dosage will depend on what condition you’re treating, how you respond, and which form you’re taking. It’s FDA approved for ADHD and narcolepsy in adults.

ADHD

Adderall IR: For ADHD, the Adderall IR dosage for adults typically starts at 5 mg once or twice daily. Your prescriber may increase your dosage by 5 mg every week if needed. The maximum recommended Adderall IR dosage for ADHD is 40 mg per day.

You can take Adderall IR up to 3 times a day, with each dose about 4 to 6 hours apart. Keep in mind that taking it later in the day can interfere with sleep.

Adderall XR: The typical Adderall XR dosage for ADHD in adults is 20 mg once daily in the morning. Your prescriber may raise or lower your dose as needed from there based on how it’s working for you. But most studies show that doses over 20 mg per day have little additional benefit for adults.

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Good to know: You may need both Adderall IR and Adderall XR to manage your ADHD symptoms. Or you may want to switch from Adderall IR to Adderall XR or vice versa at some point. But don’t make changes without your prescriber’s guidance.

Narcolepsy

The Adderall IR dosage for narcolepsy ranges from 5 mg to 60 mg per day. Adults typically start with 10 mg daily, and your prescriber will adjust your dose from there. For narcolepsy, 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 for narcolepsy, so it doesn’t have a recommended dosage for this use. It’s sometimes used off-label for narcolepsy, but in this case your prescriber will tell you how to take it.

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.

If your child has trouble swallowing pills, you can open Adderall XR capsules and sprinkle the contents on a spoonful of applesauce. Make sure they consume the applesauce-medication mixture immediately and swallow it without chewing. You can also cut or crush Adderall IR tablets to make them easier to swallow.

ADHD

The recommended Adderall dosage for ADHD in children depends on your child’s age. Adderall IR is FDA approved for children ages 3 and older, and Adderall XR is approved for children ages 6 and older.

Adderall IR: The recommended Adderall IR dosages for ADHD in children are:

• Ages 3 to 5: The starting dosage is 2.5 mg daily. If needed, your child’s prescriber may increase their daily dose by an additional 2.5 mg every week.

• Ages 6 and older: The starting dosage is 5 mg once or twice daily. Your prescriber may then increase your child’s dose in 5 mg intervals once weekly based on their response. The daily Adderall dosage can be divided into 2 to 3 doses given about 4 to 6 hours apart based on the child’s needs.

EXPERT PICKS: WHAT TO READ NEXT

• When to take Adderall: Our pharmacists answer commonly asked questions about Adderall (amphetamine salt combo), like the best time to take this medication and what side effects you may experience.

• IR or XR? Read more about the differences between Adderall IR and Adderall XR and which one might be right for you.

• Explore your options: There are many medications that treat ADHD in both adults and children. Learn more about your choices so you can discuss them with a healthcare professional.

Adderall XR: For Adderall XR, the recommended dosages for children are:

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

• Ages 13 to 17: 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 daily after 1 week.

Narcolepsy

Adderall IR is approved to treat narcolepsy in children ages 6 and older. The typical dosage depends on the child’s age as follows:

• Ages 6 to 11: Start with 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.

• Ages 12 and older: The usual starting dosage is 10 mg daily. Your child’s prescriber may then increase their daily dose by 10 mg on a weekly basis, as tolerated, and until their narcolepsy symptoms are well managed.

Your child may need to divide their daily Adderall dosage into 2 to 3 smaller doses every 4 to 6 hours throughout the day to effectively treat their narcolepsy.

Are there any Adderall dosage adjustments for health conditions?

The kidneys help your body get rid of Adderall. So if you have kidney problems, you may need a lower dosage. You also may need a different Adderall 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 recommend a dosage for you.

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 receive dialysis shouldn’t take Adderall.

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 medication list with your care team so they can screen for potential interactions. Include over-the-counter medications and supplements you take.

Who should use caution when taking Adderall

Because of 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 a mental health condition, such as bipolar disorder

• Have circulation problems in the fingers or toes

• Have a condition where they experience repeated movements or sounds (tics), such as 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 past 14 days

• Have end-stage kidney disease

• Have serious heart problems

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.

What should you do if you take too much Adderall?

Typically, taking an extra dose of Adderall by mistake won’t cause serious problems. But you may be more likely to have side effects, like a fast heart rate or anxiety.

Taking a large amount of Adderall can cause serious symptoms, such as confusion, hallucinations, and a dangerously fast heart rate or increase in blood pressure. This can lead to heart attacks, seizures, and even death.

If you or a loved one takes too much Adderall IR or Adderall XR, call 911 or go to the ER.

Good to know: Adderall is a controlled substance. So regularly taking more than recommended can increase your risk of dependence and misuse. Taking Adderall exactly as prescribed can help minimize your risk of experiencing these issues. If 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.

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Written by:

Austin Ulrich, PharmD, BCACP

​​Austin Ulrich, PharmD, BCACP, is a board-certified ambulatory care clinical pharmacist. Ulrich’s experience includes direct patient care in hospital and community pharmacies.

Edited by:

Stacia Woodcock, PharmD

Stacia Woodcock, PharmD, is a pharmacy editor for GoodRx. She earned her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University of Kentucky and is licensed in New York and Massachusetts.

Reviewed by:

Christina Aungst, PharmD

Christina Aungst, PharmD, is a pharmacy editor for GoodRx. She began writing for GoodRx Health in 2019, transitioning from freelance writer to editor in 2021.

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