Can you overdose on Adderall? (2023)

What is the most important information I should know about an Adderall overdose?

  • Taking too much Adderall can lead to a potentially fatal overdose.
  • Always take your medication as directed and seek emergency care if you or someone you know has overdose symptoms.

Adderall se smatra aControlled substance from Schedule IIwith a high potential for abuse.Can you overdose on Adderall? Yes, it is possible to overdoseAdderall(amphetamine-dextroamphetamine) - even accidentally - which can sometimes be fatal.

An overdose is just a potential side effect of taking too much Adderall.Moreover, some people are more sensitive to stimulants than others, so the amount that can lead to an overdose varies from person to person.

What dose of Adderall can be fatal?

Even a small amount of Adderall can be fatal. Fatalities have been reported with doses as low as 1.5 milligrams per kilogram (mg/kg) of body weight. For example, if you weigh 150 pounds (68 kg), the lethal dose of Adderall would be 102 mg.

An Adderall overdose involves overstimulation of the sympathetic nervous system, which activates the fight-or-flight response when there is a signal of danger.

Depending on the person and their motives, an overdose can be intentional or accidental. It is also important to note that Adderall can be fatal to animals if ingested.

What is the recommended daily dose of Adderall?

Recommended Daily Dose of Adderall for Adults with ADHD ornarcolepsyis from 5 mg to 60 mg.Doctors usually start with the lowest dose and then adjust it as needed to achieve the greatest therapeutic effect with the fewest side effects.

Adderall overdose symptoms

Adderall overdose symptoms can range from mild to severe and include the following:

Light

  • Confusion

  • headaches

  • hyperactivity

  • Nausea

  • vomit

  • rapid breathing

  • Abdominal pain

Forte

(Video) Adderall Overdose: What You Need to Know | Ask The Experts | Sharecare

What you should do if you have overdosed on Adderall

If you suspect that you or someone you know has overdosed on Adderall, seek emergency care immediately.

Be prepared to give the following information to first responders and/or the doctor:

  • the person's age
  • How much Adderall was taken (if known)
  • Other substances (alcohol or drugs) that may also have been ingested
  • All known allergies
  • History of substance abuse

Getting emergency help

If you are in the United States, please callPoison Control CenterYes1-800-222-1222or call911immediately if you or a loved one is in immediate danger.

How does Adderall interact with other medications?

Adderall can interact with some medications, so it's important to talk to your doctor about any medications you're taking before taking Adderall. This includes vitamins, over-the-counter medications and dietary supplements, as well as all prescriptions.

Inhibitori monoaminooksidaze (MAOI), for example, can enhance the effects of Adderall and increase the risk of overdose.

Common MAOIs include:

  • nardil (phenelzine)
  • Marplan (izokarboksazid)
  • EmSam (selegilin)
  • Parnate (tranylcypromine)

Meanwhile, taking medications that inhibit CYP2D6 (an enzyme involved in drug metabolism) while taking Adderall may increase your risk of serious side effects.

Common CYP2D6 inhibitors include:

  • Wellbutrin (bupropriona)
  • Sensipar (cinakalcet)
  • Prozac (fluoxetine)
  • Paxil (paroxetine)
  • Norvir (ritonavir)
  • Quinidex (kinidin)

Other medications that can cause drug interactions when taken with Adderall include tricyclic antidepressants and other serotonergic medications such as SSRIs, SNRIs, St. John's wort, lithium, and tramadol.

Tell your doctor about all medications, supplements, or other substances you are taking before you start taking Adderall.

(Video) Good Health: The dangers of misusing ADHD drug Adderall

How MAOIs work and common side effects

Addiction and Addiction

Adderall can be addictivewhen taken in doses higher than prescribed. Adderall abuse can be dangerous and produce a number of problems, including potentially dangerous side effects.

Adderall is addictive and has potential for abuse.When used in an unintended manner, it can increase a person's risk of addiction, overdose, and other adverse effects.

Prescription drug abuse includes:

  • Taking the medicine in a different form or dose than prescribed (such as crushing the tablet, snorting the powder or dissolving the powder from the capsule in water and injecting the liquid into a vein).
  • Taking someone else's prescription
  • Taking drugs to get high instead of to reduce symptoms

Nonmedical use of Adderall may increase the likelihood of an overdose

Adderall abuse also increases the likelihood of overdose as well as the risk of abuse. In fact, Adderall abuse is a growing problem.

A 2016 study published in theJournal of Clinical Psychiatryfound that nonmedical use of Adderall in adults increased by 67%, and emergency room visits involving Adderall increased by 156% between 2006 and 2011.

Adderall addiction is characterized by continuing to take the substance despite the harmful effects on the person's life.

It is important to note that addiction is different from addiction. Dependence can occur after taking the drug for a while and includes a withdrawal experience if you reduce the dose or stop taking the drug. Addiction, on the other hand, usually involves taking larger and larger amounts and feeling unable to function without the drug.

Chronic Adderall abuse

Chronic Adderall abuse can lead to symptoms such as:

  • severe rash
  • Insomnia
  • Irritability
  • personality changes

Adderall abuse can also interfere with the effects of alcohol. Because Adderall's stimulant effects can neutralize the depressant effects of alcohol, people often feel less intoxicated than they actually are. As a result, I may drink more than usual. This can lead to serious disabilities, increase the risk of accidents or even lead to death from alcohol poisoning.

Adderall Overdose Treatment

Overdose treatment may include administration of activated charcoal to aid in the absorption of the drug.You may also need a stomach pump. In case ofserotonin syndrome,you may be given medication to block serotonin.

If a person is addicted to Adderall, certain treatments can help. Commonly used approaches includecognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)and contingency management.

  • TCChelps people change the thoughts and behaviors that contribute to drug abuse. It also helps people develop strategies to cope with triggers for stress and drug use.
  • Contingency managementIt is a behavioral strategy that uses incentives to increase people's motivation to stop using substances.

Adderall overdose prevention

There are steps you can take to prevent yourself or someone you love from overdosing on Adderall, including:

  • Never take more than the prescribed dose
  • Never let someone else take your medicine
  • Never take medicine that someone else has prescribed for you
  • Do not take a higher dose without consulting your doctor.
  • Never take a second dose if you think you have missed the first dose
  • Take the medicine at the same time every day

How stimulants work to reduce ADHD symptoms

11 fontova

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to back up the facts in our articles. Read ourseditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable and trustworthy.

  1. Fitzgerald KT, Bronstein AC.Adderall® (anfetamin-dekstroanfetamin) toksicid.Top Companion Anim Med. 2013;28(1):2-7. doi:10.1053/j.tcam.2013.03.002

  2. US Food and Drug Administration.Adderall® CII (dextroamphetamine sucrose, amphetamine aspartate, dextroamphetamine sulfate, and amphetamine sulfate tablets).

  3. Wood KE, McCarthy PJ, Krasowski MD.A case series involving young children with accidental ingestion of amphetamine-based stimulants.A poisonous representative. 2018;5:1129-1133. doi:10.1016/j.toxrep.2018.11.001

  4. Weyandt LL, Oster DR, Marraccini ME, et al.Abuse of prescription stimulants: where we are and where to go next?Exp Clin Psychopharmacol. 2016;24(5):400-414. doi:10.1037/pha0000093

  5. National Institute on Drug Abuse.Abuse of prescription drugs.

  6. Chen LY, Crum RM, Strain EC, Alexander GC, Kaufmann C, Mojtabai R.Prescriptions, nonmedical use, and emergency care involving prescription stimulants.Psychiatry J Clin. 2016;77(3):e297-e304. doi:10.4088/JCP.14m09291

  7. Weyandt L, White T, Gudmundsdottir B, et al.Neurocognitive, autonomic, and mood effects of Adderall: A pilot study of healthy college students.Pharmacy. 2018;6(3):58. doi:10.3390/pharmacy6030058

  8. Sepulveda DR, Thomas LM, McCabe SE, Cranford JA, Boyd CJ, Teter CJ.Prescription stimulant medication abuse for ADHD and associated substance use patterns: A preliminary analysis among college students.J Pharm Pract. 2011;24(6):551-560. doi:10.1177/0897190011426558

  9. Poison control.Active carbon.

  10. Vo K, Neafsey PJ, Lin CA.Simultaneous use of amphetamine stimulants and antidepressants by students.Patient prefers compliance. 2015;9:161-72. doi:10.2147/PPA.S74602

  11. National Institute on Drug Abuse.What are prescription stimulants??

Additional reading

(Video) Is it Possible to Overdose on Adderall

Can you overdose on Adderall? (1)

AfterAmy Morin, LCSW
Amy Morin, LCSW, is a psychotherapist and international bestselling author. His books, including "13 Things Mentally Strong People Don't Do," have been translated into more than 40 languages. His TEDx talk, "The Secret of Becoming Mentally Strong," is one of the most watched talks of all time.

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FAQs

Can I take 60 mg of Adderall a day? ›

For adults and children over age 6 with ADHD, the maximum daily dose is 40 mg per day. For narcolepsy in adults, the dose can range from 5 to 60 mg per day.

What happens if you take double the amount of Adderall? ›

Taking too much Adderall can lead to a potentially life-threatening overdose. Always take your medication as directed and seek emergency treatment if you or someone you know experiences symptoms of an overdose.

What happens when you overdose on ADHD pills? ›

Symptoms of an overdose include irregular heartbeat, rapid breathing, panic, confusion, vomiting, and hallucinations. An overdose requires immediate medical attention. Overdoses can be fatal, with convulsions and coma typically preceding death.

How long does Adderall take to kick in on a full stomach? ›

“Amphetamines like Adderall begin to work within 30 minutes to an hour.

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