How Long Does Adderall Last in Your Body?

Adderall (mixed amphetamine salts) is the most commonly prescribed medication for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). It’s approved to treat ADHD in adults and children age 3 and older. It’s also FDA approved to treat narcolepsy.

Below, we discuss how long Adderall lasts in the body for both the immediate-release (IR) and extended-release (ER) forms. We’ll also cover factors that can influence how quickly your body clears Adderall.

How long does Adderall stay in your system?

Adderall IR stays in your system for about 1.5 to 3 days. This estimate comes from clinical studies that measured Adderall’s half-life. A half-life is the estimated time it takes for half the amount of the medication’s total concentration to be removed by the body. A medication is considered eliminated from the body after four to five half lives. 

Adderall is a mixture of two amphetamine forms: d-amphetamine and l-amphetamine. Although they work similarly, l-amphetamine lasts longer in the body. The half-lives of the two amphetamine forms for different age groups are listed below.

For d-amphetamine, the half-life is:

• 9 hours for children 6-12 years old

• 11 hours for teens 13-17 years old

• 10 hours for adults 18 and older

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For l-amphetamine, the half-life is:

• 11 hours for children 6-12 years old

• 13-14 hours for teens 13-17 years old

• 13 hours for adults 18 and older

So what does this all mean? It will take about four to five half-lives of l-amphetamine (the ingredient in Adderall that sticks around longest) for the medication to be considered cleared from your system. Depending on your or your child’s age, this is about 1.5 to 3 days.

Does Adderall XR last longer in the body?

Yes, Adderall XR (the ER version of the medication) lasts longer in the body than Adderall IR.

Adderall XR capsules are filled with beads of Adderall. Half the beads in a capsule are Adderall IR, so they get released into the body immediately after you take a dose. The other half are Adderall ER. They get released about 4 hours after you take a dose, causing them to stick around longer in the body.

How long do Adderall’s effects last?

When we talk about how long Adderall lasts in the body, we’re not talking about how long Adderall’s effects last. Having Adderall in your body doesn’t mean the medication is producing an effect. You have to have certain blood levels of Adderall to effectively treat ADHD or narcolepsy symptoms.

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In general, Adderall levels are highest 3 hours after taking a dose. In most cases, people feel Adderall IR’s effects wear off about 4 to 6 hours after a dose, and Adderall XR’s effects wear off 8 to 12 hours after a dose. That’s why Adderall IR can be taken 2 to 3 times a day, while Adderall XR is usually taken only once in the morning.

What factors affect how long Adderall stays in your system?

How a medication is absorbed, distributed throughout the body, and cleared can vary from person to person. Factors that may affect how long Adderall stays in your system include:

• The dosage form: As mentioned, Adderall XR lasts longer in the body than Adderall IR.

• Your age: Children and teens usually clear Adderall from their bodies faster than adults do.

• Your liver or kidney function: Adderall may stay in your body longer if your liver or kidneys don’t work as well as expected. If you have severe kidney issues, you may need to take a lower Adderall XR dosage or avoid taking the medication altogether.

• What (if any) supplements you take: Some supplements, such as vitamin C, increase the acidity of your urine. This makes your kidneys remove Adderall from your body faster. 

• What (if any) other medications you take: Some medications may cause Adderall to stick around in your body longer. Cytra-K is a medication that makes urine more basic, which can prevent the kidneys from removing Adderall as quickly. Other medications block specific liver enzymes (proteins) that metabolize (break down) Adderall. Paroxetine (Paxil, Brisdelle), an antidepressant, is one example.

Increasing how long Adderall lasts in your body can raise your risk of side effects. On the other hand, decreasing how long Adderall lasts in your body can make it less effective. That’s why it’s important to share a list of your current medications, including any supplements you take, with your healthcare team. 

You should also let your prescriber know if you have other health conditions. They’ll evaluate this information, along with your medication list, to determine whether you need to adjust your medication regimen or take a lower Adderall dosage. In many cases, however, these types of changes aren’t needed.

Good to know: Taking Adderall with a high-fat meal may change how quickly it’s absorbed. But food hasn’t been found to change how long Adderall stays in the system.

In what situations is it important to consider how long Adderall lasts in your system?

Below are some situations in which it may be important to consider how long Adderall lasts in your body.

If you’re experiencing side effects

If you or your child is experiencing Adderall side effects — such as decreased appetite, insomnia, or headaches — talk to your prescriber. While it’s common to experience side effects from Adderall, they shouldn’t last a long time or affect your daily life. Persistent or bothersome side effects may be a sign that your Adderall dosage is too high or that you’re experiencing a drug interaction. Whatever the cause, your prescriber can help you manage your symptoms.

If dangerous drug interactions are possible

As mentioned, Adderall can interact with other medications. But in many cases, it’s not necessary to change daily habits or make other adjustments to avoid these potential interactions. If you’re taking an interacting medication, your healthcare team may just recommend monitoring for side effects, such as insomnia, headaches, and elevated heart rate. These side effects can indicate an interaction is occurring.

However, some potential Adderall interactions may require you to change your medication regimen or lower your Adderall dosage. But don’t take any action without talking to your prescriber first.

If you have an upcoming surgical procedure

If you have an upcoming surgery, ask your surgical team whether you need to stop taking Adderall ahead of the procedure. Some surgeons may recommend pausing treatment, while others won’t.

If your surgeon asks you to stop taking Adderall and you're concerned about managing ADHD or narcolepsy symptoms without the medication, talk to your healthcare team. They can discuss how to best manage your symptoms without medication while you wait for your surgery

If you’re pregnant

Taking Adderall during pregnancy is only recommended  if the treatment benefits outweigh the possible risks. Depending on your personal risks, your prescriber may recommend switching to another medication and/or utilizing nonmedication coping strategies while you’re pregnant.

Keep in mind that Adderall and other stimulant medications are controlled substances that can cause dependence and misuse. If you complete a drug screen while you’re pregnant, it may check for amphetamines like Adderall. So it’s important to let your pregnancy provider know you take Adderall.

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Written by:

Daphne Berryhill, RPh

Daphne Berryhill, RPh, has two decades of experience as a clinical pharmacist. She spent most of her career in the Chicago area practicing in-home infusion.

Edited by:

Amy B. Gragnolati, PharmD, BCPS

Amy Gragnolati, PharmD, BCPS, is a pharmacy editor for GoodRx. Amy currently holds her pharmacist license in Georgia and California.

Reviewed by:

Ferras Bashqoy, PharmD, BCCCP, BCPPS

Ferras Bashqoy, PharmD, BCCCP, BCPPS, is a clinical pharmacotherapy specialist in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Hassenfeld Children’s Hospital in New York City. His favorite part of the job is working with preterm newborns because they are strong and mighty despite their size.

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