Adderall Dosage Dangers

Adderall is a psycho-stimulant under the amphetamine class of drugs. This is the brand name for the combination of amphetamine and dextroamphetamine in equal proportions.

There are two categories of this drug. The first category is the Immediate Release (IR) which releases the active ingredients soon after ingestion. Release of the active ingredients occurs only once and potency lasts about 4 hours.

The second category is the Extended Release (XR) which comes in capsule form. The XR capsules release the active ingredients in two phases. The first phase involves release of the active ingredients soon after ingestion. The second phase involves release of the active ingredients about four hours after the commencement of the first phase. Theoretically a 10mg XR capsule is the equivalent of taking two IR 5mg doses.

What are the doses of Adderall?

Adderall is used in the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and narcolepsy. If abused, this drug can be highly addictive. The proper Adderall dosage should therefore be taken to reduce chances of severe side effects and possible addiction. The tablets come in different doses.

This drug comes in 5mg, 10mg, 15mg, 20mg, 25mg and, 30 mg doses. For patients, the lowest effective dose should be administered. Since a single dose is effective for about 4 hours, patients usually take the drug 2 to 3 times daily.

Adderall dosage for children

It is recommended that Adderall only be administered to children over 3 years of age. Due to its high potency, even a small dose is likely to cause adverse side effects in toddlers.

For children over 3 years to 5 years, the starting dosage is 2.5mg daily. This however depends on the patient’s response to the drug. Increments of 2.5mg each week can be administered if the 2.5 mg daily dose isn’t effective in reducing the symptoms of ADHD.

For children over 5 years to early teens, the recommended dosage is 5md daily with weekly increments of 5mg if necessary.

Adderall dosage for teenagers

The recommended dosage for teenagers is 10mg daily with weekly increments of 5mg to 10mg.

ADHD RemedyDosage for adults

The recommended dosage for adults is 20mg daily. Depending on the patient’s response, the recommended weekly response is 5mg, 10mg, 15mg or 20mg.

Factors determining the correct dosage of Adderall

The recommended dosage will vary from individual to individual. For example, adults of the same age might be prescribed different Adderall doses. Some of the factors that determine this include body weight, response to the drug, severity of the condition being treated and gender among others.

As mentioned, the lowest effective Adderall dosage is recommended. The psychiatrist will prescribe a dosage and assess whether the patient is responding positively. If not, the psychiatrist will prescribe a higher dosage with an increment of the lowest dose value (2.5mg in children and 5mg in persons older than 10 years).

How do you know if you’ve overdosed?

Since a single dose of Adderall IR is potent for about 4 hours (XR potency between 6 and 8 hours), it’s recommended that you take 2 to 3 doses daily. Avoid consuming the drug late afternoon and evening since it can affect sleep cycle.

An overdose usually occurs in the following ways:

  • A patient takes more than the recommended Adderall dosage all at once
  • A patient takes in more than the daily recommended Adderall dosage

If an overdose is suspected, you should seek medical assistance immediately.

Signs and symptoms of an Adderall overdose

Adderall overdose can result in severe side effects which include abdominal pain, insomnia, irregular heartbeat, psychosis, vomiting and nausea. In some cases, an overdose can result in sudden death where the drug overwhelms the cardiovascular system.

Adderall overdose treatment

If Adderall overdose occurs, immediate medical assistance should be sought. Excess amounts of the drug should be removed from the body to reduce the health risks that come with an overdose. The treatment methods vary depending on the severity of side effects as well as the condition of the patient. Some of the common treatment methods include pumping of the stomach to remove traces of the drug, use of acidic fluids to prevent re-absorption of the drug in the intestines and dialysis.

How much Adderall does one take to get high?

Adderall falls in the same category of drugs like cocaine. Its “high” potential has made it one of the popular party drugs. But how much of Adderall is needed to make a person high?

Since the majority of people using this drug for recreational purposes do so without a prescription, its hard to determine this. However, since every individual has their own response level for the drug, taking more than your body can safely respond to can make you high. Crushing a pill and snorting lines of Adderall is an alternate method of ingestion creating a slightly different high.