*An off-label use of a medication is a use that is not FDA-approved. Prescribers can decide to use a medication off-label because, in their professional judgment, they believe it may offer a benefit to someone.
An Adderall crash or “comedown” is the negative symptoms you feel when your medication begins to wear off, such as tiredness, mood changes, and changes in sleep. You can lower the likelihood of a crash by taking the extended-release Adderal XR formulation or taking a low Adderall dose. Also, having a bedtime routine, eating healthy, and staying hydrated can help you avoid experiencing symptoms as well.
If you’re considering Adderall XR, you will be limited in your options for obtaining an assessment and prescription online. Circle Medical is an online psychiatry platform that can and will prescribe stimulant medications, which are controlled substances. Their providers offer assessments and prescription consultation, and can answer any questions you have about a potential Adderall crash or other concerning symptoms.
Boxed Warning: Amphetamine, dextroamphetamine mixed salts (Adderall) - Risk of medication misuse or abuse
Adderall has a black box warning. These are the most serious types of warnings from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Amphetamines, an active ingredient in Adderall, have a risk of misuse (abuse) which can lead to dependence on the medication, serious heart conditions, and even sudden death.
Adderall is a controlled substance, which means that it’s more likely to be misused or cause dependence. There are federal and state laws that limit the amount of medication that can be prescribed or dispensed within a certain period of time.
What Is Adderall & How Does It Work?
Adderall is the most common stimulant prescribed for the treatment of ADHD to help manage ADHD symptoms.1 It works by increasing dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain, which results in increased feelings of motivation, and attention in people who have ADHD. It is known to be abused for weight loss, on college campuses for studying or achieving euphoria.
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What Is an Adderall Crash?
An Adderall crash is a withdrawal or comedown when the medication begins to wear off. Some report an Adderall headache when experiencing withdrawal or a crash. You may feel tired, depressed, have brain for, have trouble concentrating, or feel generally unwell. The effects may happen every evening and can increase the risk of Adderall addiction or dependence to prevent feeling these negative symptoms.
What Causes an Adderall Crash?
Potential causes of an Adderall crash include taking it with other stimulants, not getting enough sleep, or taking the immediate-release form. Risk factors include taking a higher dose, missing a dose, or being on the medication for a while.2 An Adderall crash can still occur despite avoiding these risk factors.
One of the factors that influence the potential of Adderall to cause a crash is its half-life, which reflects how long Adderall continues to work in the body. Half-life is the amount of time it takes for half of the drug’s concentration to be broken down. Adderall’s half-life is about 11-13 hours.3 So you may begin to feel its effects wear off in the afternoon.
Symptoms of an Adderall Crash
The most common symptoms of an Adderall crash include an unhappy or anxious mood, not getting enough sleep or sleeping too much, and having unpleasant or vivid dreams.4 A crash may also feel like your appetite has increased or you have brain fog from the medication wearing off.
Common symptoms of an Adderall crash may include:4
- Unhappy mood
- Anxiousness
- Extreme tiredness
- Vivid or unpleasant dreams
- Difficulty sleeping or sleeping too much
- Increased appetite
- Slowed thought-processing
You may also experience anxiety, panic, or depression, which could become severe and require immediate medical care. Other symptoms that may require immediate medical attention include paranoia, seizures, hallucinations, nausea, or headaches. It is important to try to keep healthy habits to help ease symptoms.
Adderall Comedown Timeline
Severe symptoms of coming down from Adderall may include depression, anxiety, paranoia, seizures, or hallucinations. These symptoms may range from moderate to severe for some. Symptoms that may continue for up to three weeks include trouble sleeping or sleeping too much and increased appetite. However, sometimes symptoms can last for months.
Coping With an Adderall Crash
You can cope with the symptoms of an Adderall crash by maintaining good health habits. Start with getting enough sleep, staying hydrated, and eating healthy. Other ways to help your symptoms include staying relaxed or distracted with exercise, friends, or meditation. Also, you should avoid using other stimulants during this time to allow your body to adjust.
Here are tips for coping with an Adderall crash:
- Maintain good sleep hygiene: Having good sleep hygiene and a routine can help you cope with symptoms by giving your body time to recover. It also helps support your mental health.
- Stay hydrated and well-nourished: Drinking plenty of water and eating nutritious food can help symptoms also by supporting your mental health and by giving your body the nutrients it needs to recover.
- Staying relaxed: Mindfulness and relaxation can help with symptoms by helping you build a tolerance to a crash’s symptoms and feel better.
- Distract yourself with positive activities: You can distract yourself from symptoms by enjoying your hobbies or friends. You may even find your job can help keep you busy and distracted.
- Avoid other stimulants: Avoiding other stimulants will allow your body to adjust. Other stimulants will increase the amount of time it takes your body to recover.
- Stay active and exercise: Exercise can also help distract you and support your mental health.
- Talk to a therapist: A therapist can give you a person to talk to about your symptoms. They can also help you think of positive ways to cope with your symptoms and help keep you accountable.
Treatment for Adderall Crash
There isn’t a medication approved for helping with Adderall crashes. However, your doctor may prescribe you something to help with your symptoms, such as moderate to severe anxiety or depression medications. You may also ask for a medication that can help you sleep better.
You should not take extra Adderall to counter these symptoms because severe and dangerous side effects could occur. If you become suicidal during withdrawal, contact 911 or go to an emergency room immediately.
See If You Have ADHD - Same Day Appointments
Affordable and accessible ADHD evaluations and treatment, including possible controlled substances medication if clinically appropriate. Diagnosis and prescription over video. Insurance accepted. Same day appointments.
Questions to Ask Your Healthcare Provider About an Adderall Crash
If your doctor decides to prescribe you Adderall, you can ask them how often Adderall crashes occur and how you can prevent these symptoms. Also,
Questions to ask your care team when discussing the potential for an Adderall crash may include:
- What if I miss a dose of Adderall or I run out before I can get more?
- How soon could I start feeling symptoms of an Adderall crash after my last dose?
- How long can I expect my Adderall crash symptoms to last?
- Should I try to stretch out my doses to avoid a crash?
- Is there anything that would lead to more severe Adderall crash symptoms?
- How can I avoid Adderall crash symptoms while taking the medication?
- Will a previous history of addiction make me more susceptible to dependency?
- What is the best dosage to lower the risk of an Adderall crash?
- How often do Adderall crashes occur?
- When should I expect to start feeling better from the Adderall crash?
- What should I do if my Adderall crash symptoms are severe?
- What should I do if I no longer want to take Adderall?
- Should I stop taking Adderall all at once or over some time?
- If I experience an Adderall crash, are there Adderall alternatives for me to consider?
- Is it safe to take Adderall and Zoloft together?
- Is Adderall more likely to help anxiety or cause it?
In My Experience
In my experience, Adderall crashes typically occur at the end of the day resulting in drowsiness and a regain of appetite. Symptoms are usually mild but it’s important to talk to your doctor about this topic and follow their guidance because severe symptoms can occur. If you notice any symptoms that are bothersome when your dose wears off, make sure to let your doctor or pharmacist know so they can help.
Choosing Therapy strives to provide our readers with mental health content that is accurate and actionable. We have high standards for what can be cited within our articles. Acceptable sources include government agencies, universities and colleges, scholarly journals, industry and professional associations, and other high-integrity sources of mental health journalism. Learn more by reviewing our full editorial policy.
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American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). Arlington, VA.
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Shoptaw, S. J., Kao, U., Heinzerling, K., & Ling, W. (2009). Treatment for amphetamine withdrawal. The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2009(2), CD003021. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD003021.pub2
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Daily Med. (2022, February). LABEL: ADDERALL- dextroamphetamine saccharate, amphetamine aspartate, dextroamphetamine sulfate, and amphetamine sulfate tablet. National Institute of Health National Library of Medicine. Retrieved from https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm
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DSM‐IV‐TR. Diagnositic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. 4th Edition. Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Association, 2000.
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Additional Resources
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For Further Reading
- Adderall for Depression: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, & More
- ADHD in Men: Signs, Symptoms, & Treatments
- High Functioning ADHD: Definition, Symptoms, & Treatments
- Strattera Vs Adderall: Differences, Similarities, & Which Is Better
- ADHD Medications: Stimulants and Nonstimulants for Adults and Children
- Understanding Attention-Deficit/Hyperactive Disorder
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Best Online Psychiatry Services
Online psychiatry, sometimes called telepsychiatry, platforms offer medication management by phone, video, or secure messaging for a variety of mental health conditions. In some cases, online psychiatry may be more affordable than seeing an in-person provider. Mental health treatment has expanded to include many online psychiatry and therapy services. With so many choices, it can feel overwhelming to find the one that is right for you.
