Adderall overdose: How much amount of Adderall to OD?

Children and adults can overdose on Adderall, when taking amounts more than prescribed. More on exactly how much Adderall is safe for you and the amount of Adderall that causes overdose here.

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An Adderall overdose can be fatal for adults or for children.

And even if you don’t die during an Adderall overdose, OD’ing on Adderall can cause permanent damage to your body. So can you prevent an unintentional Adderall overdose? We’ll review the risk factors for Adderall overdose as well as recommended quantities for safe dosing to avoid Adderall death cases here. We invite your questions about Adderall and overdose at the end and try to respond to all Adderall questions promptly.

How does Adderall overdose happen?

In general, the time Adderall stays in system depends on dosing frequency and amounts, but it can be detected in urine for days after last use.   But sometimes people take too much Adderall?  How and why?

There are a few reasons why someone might take too much Adderall. Adderall helps people with sleep disorders like narcolepsy stay awake, so it can be used to try to increase alertness, But increasing the frequency of Adderall dosing or the amount of Adderall that you take is an easy way to unintentionally overdose on Adderall. Taking Adderall for getting high can also result in an overdose. And some people overdose on Adderall as a form of self-harm or as part of a suicide attempt.

Adderall overdose – How much is too much?

One special danger with Adderall is the fact that it’s often prescribed to children suffering from ADHD. In fact, it is much easier for a child to overdose on Adderall than an adult because of the difference in body mass. The fatal amount of Adderall varies from person to person. And even normal doses of Adderall can (infrequently) cause sudden death. In general, 20-25 mg/kg of a person’s body weight is considered a fatal dose.

In children – The typical dose of Adderall is only 2.5-5mg per day. It should never be given in doses larger than 40/mg per day.

In adults – Adults may receive anywhere from 5-60 mg of Adderall per day, depending on their situation. But even at normal therapeutic doses it can be dangerous and cause stroke or sudden death. As little as 30 mg of Adderall can be dangerous to some people, while doses as high as 500 mg have been reported as safe in people with chronic exposure and histories of Adderall abuse. 70 mg in one day is considered the maximum safe daily dose.In a 150 lb adult, the fatal dose would probably be about 1360 mg.

Adderall overdose complications

Cardiovascular problems are the biggest risk of overdosing on Adderall. But Adderall can cause heart and lung problems even at doses lower than OD range.

Adderall overdose prognosis

In an emergency Adderall situation, you’ll need to receive immediate medical attention. The prognosis will depend on a number of different factors, including your own size and body chemistry. Because the results of Adderall overdose can be so unpredictable, it’s best to see a doctor as soon as possible.

Adderall overdose amount questions

This medication should only be taken in the doses recommended by your doctor. And Adderall abuse (taking Adderall to get high) poses a real risk of death and overdose. You’re increasing your risk of overdose when you snort or inject Adderall.

If you have any questions about safe amounts of Adderall in your system, please leave them here. We are happy to try to help answer your questions about Adderall, and will try to respond with a personal and prompt reply for all legitimate queries.

Reference Sources: ToxNet: Amphetamine
FDA Medication Guide: Adderall XR
Medline Plus: Dextroamphetamine and Amphetamine
About the author
Lee Weber is a published author, medical writer, and woman in long-term recovery from addiction. Her latest book, The Definitive Guide to Addiction Interventions is set to reach university bookstores in early 2019.
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