How long does Adderall last in your system?

Medically reviewed by Carmen Pope, BPharm. Last updated on Aug 18, 2022.

Official answer

by drugclasses.com

When taken as prescribed, the effects of Adderall (amphetamine and dextroamphetamine) last for about 4 to 6 hours. The effects of Adderall XR last for up to 12 hours because this form of Adderall has been designed to release its contents slowly, over a longer period of time (this is called a sustained release preparation).

Some medications can interact with Adderall and affect how much is absorbed or how quickly or slowly it is excreted, which can change the length of time Adderall lasts for in your body.

Medications that can decrease the absorption of Adderall, lowering blood levels, and decreasing the length of time it lasts for in the body include:

Fruit juices, such as orange juice or cranberry juice
Medications that increase the acidity of the stomach contents, such as guanethidine and reserpine
Vitamin C supplements (also called ascorbic acid).

In addition, KPhos and other urinary acidifiers, or substances such as ammonium chloride or sodium acid phosphate can increase the excretion of Adderall by making the urine more acidic, which also lowers blood levels of Adderall, decreasing the length of time it lasts for in the body.

Other medications or substances, such as those that make the stomach contents more alkaline (less acidic), can increase the absorption of Adderall, which may or may not have an effect on how long it lasts for in the body. Modified release forms of Adderall, such as Adderall XR are more likely to be affected because it will cause the modified release coating to disintegrate faster than what would be expected in the normal stomach environment. Medications that can increase the absorption of Adderall, and increase blood levels of Adderall include:

Gastrointestinal alkalinizing agents, such as sodium bicarbonate
Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), such as omeprazole or pantoprazole.

In addition, urinary alkalinizing agents (such as acetazolamide and some thiazides) can decrease the excretion of Adderall by making the urine more alkaline, which can increase blood levels of Adderall and increase the length of time it lasts for in the body. Other medications that can prolong the effect of Adderall include monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) or medications which have MAOI-like activity, such as isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue, procarbazine, selegiline, and tranylcypromine which slow the metabolism of Adderall.

Does Adderall help with anxiety and depression?

Although Adderall is only FDA-approved for the treatment of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and narcolepsy, it has been used rarely and off-label to treat depression that has not responded to other treatments. However, this is controversial and there is a lack of good quality evidence to support its use. There is no evidence that Adderall helps with anxiety and in many people with pre-existing mood disorders, Adderall can make depression and/or anxiety worse. Continue reading

How long does Adderall withdrawal last?

It is difficult to say exactly how long Adderall withdrawal lasts because it depends on the person and the process is different for everyone. Some people’s withdrawal symptoms may resolve in as little as 5 days, others may still be experiencing symptoms 4 weeks later or even longer. People who have taken Adderall for a long time at a high dose should expect withdrawal symptoms to last longer, sometimes several months. Continue reading

How do you get rid of Adderall tongue?

Adderall tongue is a common side effect of Adderall that can detrimentally and seriously affect a person’s quality of life. To help relieve Adderall tongue stay well-hydrated. Adderall and other ADHD medications can cause dehydration, so you need to drink at least 6 to 8 glasses of fluid per day. Take frequent sips of water rather than drinking a whole glass of water at once. Use artificial saliva products (such as sprays or lozenges) – these can help moisten the tissue and last longer than water. There are many different brands of these available over the counter at drug stores and they can be used multiple times a day. Chew sugar-free gum or suck on sugar-free candy – this contains xylitol which increases salivary flow and can help prevent dental decay. Avoid sucking candy that contains sugar because this will increase your risk of dental decay Continue reading

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