How Long Does Adderall Stay in Your System?

What Is Adderall & How Is it Used?

Adderall is FDA-approved to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and narcolepsy. Adderall is a mixture of different types of amphetamine salt forms that work together to relieve symptoms of ADHD and narcolepsy.

Adderall stimulates the central nervous system by increasing the amount of active norepinephrine and dopamine.^{1, 2} Some prescribers may elect to use Adderall off-label, which is not an FDA-approved use but may be supported by small studies. An example of off-label use is the improvement of motor function in patients after suffering an ischemic stroke.³

Adderall is available as an immediate-release tablet or as an extended-release capsule. It is also available in a generic form called mixed amphetamine salts. The usual dose for Adderall is once daily in the morning if taking the extended-release capsule or the immediate-release tablet taken twice or three times daily. The type of pill and times to take Adderall will depend on each person’s daily schedule and needs.^{1, 2}

For How Many Hours Does Adderall Work?

The major factor in the length of time Adderall works is the type of Adderall that’s prescribed. Adderall is available as an immediate-release tablet and an extended-release tablet. As one would guess, the extended-release form lasts longer in your body. immediate-release Adderall usually works for 6 to 8 hours and is prescribed in 2 to 3 doses per day.² Alternatively, extended-release Adderall works for 12-16 hours and is prescribed just once per day.¹

Studies comparing the immediate-release and extended-release forms of Adderall have shown that taking a single 20mg Adderall XR is relatively close to taking two 10mg Adderall immediate-release tablets about 4 hours apart.¹ Your doctor will help determine the correct dose schedule to achieve the best symptom management. Some patients combine a low dose of Adderall XR along with an afternoon low dose of Adderall immediate-release as needed. Each person’s specific dose schedule will vary.

How Long Does Adderall Stay in Your Body?

Adderall and its chemical breakdown products last in your body for hours up to months, and detection depends on the method of testing. For most drugs, detection windows are shortest for blood and saliva and longest for hair samples. The following time frames are estimates and vary from person to person.^{1, 2, 4}

• Urine: up to 4 days
• Blood: up to 72 hours
• Saliva: up to 48 hours
• Hair: up to 90 days
• Sweat: up to 14 days – Breakdown products of Adderall might be detected in the body long after you take the medication, but the action of the medication only lasts for a few hours.

Factors Affecting How Long Adderall Stays in the Body

Adderall is processed differently from person to person and the specific times it lasts in your body will vary. One major factor in the length of time Adderall stays in your body is the type of Adderall you are prescribed. Adderall is available as an immediate-release tablet and an extended-release tablet. In addition, other factors like body characteristics, duration of treatment and other medications taken at the same time may affect the time Adderall stays in the body.^{1, 2, 4}

Factors affecting how long Adderall stays in your body include:^{1, 2, 5}

• Length of Adderall treatment: Longer treatment periods with Adderall may lead to more of a build-up in the body. This may lengthen the time that Adderall is detected.
• Dosage and how often you take it: Taking higher doses more consistently may increase the length of time Adderall stays in your body.
• The presence of other substances in your body: Certain drugs that slow the breakdown of Adderall in the body may increase the amount of time it stays in your body. Common substances include fluoxetine, duloxetine, and bupropion,
• Age: Studies have shown that Adderall is likely to stay in the body longer in older individuals.
• Kidney function: As a person’s kidney function declines, Adderall may stay in the body longer.

Does Taking Adderall Multiple Times a Day Change its Detection Time?

Taking Adderall multiple times a day may increase the detection time. Each additional dose will increase the overall amount of Adderall in your system and lengthen the time it will take to clear the Adderall from your body. Adderall and all prescription medications should always be taken according to your doctor’s directions. If you are prescribed medication ‘as needed’, it is important to never take more than the directed amount, and keeping track of your doses is always a good idea.

Is the Duration of Adderall’s Effects Linked With How Long It Can Be Detected?

While the two are not directly linked, they often go hand in hand. The larger the dose of Adderall, the greater the effects felt. Often, this also has slightly longer activity in the body. Since how long Adderall may be detected is also related to the size of the dose, larger doses over time are likely to be detected longer.

Short-term Vs. Long-term Adderall Use

Sometimes when Adderall is used infrequently, the dosing does not allow Adderall to build up over time in the body. When one dose is taken, it is completely cleared from the system before another dose is taken days later. However, in long-term continuous use, each dose of Adderall builds on the previous dose taken. After a certain amount of doses are taken consecutively, a ‘steady state’ within the body is reached and Adderall is not completely cleared from the body between doses.^{1, 2}

How Can I Get Adderall Out of My System Faster?

There are no proven ways to get Adderall out of your system faster. Refraining from taking additional doses of Adderall once you have stopped is important, as well as staying well hydrated and avoiding substances that may reduce your ability to metabolize medications. Examples of this would be alcohol. Many products that may claim to detox your body or ‘remove toxins’ may be dangerous or simply ineffective.

Questions to Ask Your Healthcare Provider About How Long Adderall Stays in Your System

Questions to ask your care team about Adderall alternatives include:

1. Is it safe to take Adderall with my other medications?
2. Am I at risk for side effects from ADHD medications or supplements if I am already taking other medications, such as anxiety medications?
3. What ADHD medications should I consider for fewer side effects?
4. How long should I anticipate taking Adderall for?
5. What should I do if I want to stop taking Adderall?
6. Am I being prescribed the immediate-release or extended-release version?
7. I am worried Adderall will show up on a drug test, what can I do?
8. Are there any medications that may make Adderall last longer in my body?
9. Can I take Adderall as needed, or can I take off on certain days?
10. Am I at risk for Adderall discontinuation symptoms if I stop?
11. Can you mix Adderall and Zoloft?