Can you overdose (OD) on Adderall?

Yes, you can overdose on Adderall if you take Adderall in large amounts. More on Adderall overdose as well as amounts of safe dosing here.

3
minute read

Yes. You can overdose on Adderall, a combination brand drug made of dextroamphetamine and amphetamine.

When you OD on Adderall you can experience a heart attack, stroke, or case of sudden death. But how much Adderall does it take to overdose?  Here, we reveal how much Adderall is too much and explore what you can do to avoid an accidental Adderall overdose. We welcome your questions about Adderall and overdose at the end.

Can you overdose on Adderall?

Yes, you can overdose on Adderall. Even if you don’t take enough to OD, Adderall can be dangerous because of its cardiac effects. One special danger with Adderall is the fact that it’s often prescribed to children suffering from ADHD, and it’s easier for children to accidentally take too much Adderall than for adults.

Secondly, taking Adderall for non-medical reasons increases your risk of death and overdose, so Adderall should only be taken swallowed as a whole pill, and only in the doses recommended by your doctor. You’re much more likely to overdose when you chew, crush, snort or inject Adderall pills. Plus, Adderall addictive.  The quick delivery of dextroamphetamine and amphetamine to the brain that comes from chewing, crushing or snorting Adderall effects increase your risk of cardiovascular events.

What happens when you overdose on Adderall?

Cardiovascular problems are the biggest risk of overdosing on Adderall. Adderall overdose can cause heart attacks, stroke, or even sudden death. Furthermore, Adderall can cause heart and lung problems even at doses lower than necessary to overdose.

How many Adderall is too much?

In children, the typical dose of Adderall is only 2.5-5mg per day. Adderall should never be given in doses larger than 40/mg per day. A child can overdose more easily on Adderall than an adult because of their small body mass.

Adults may be prescribed anything from 5-60 mg of Adderall per day, depending on their situation. As little as 30mg of Adderall can be dangerous to some people, while a dose as high as 500 mg has been reported as safe in an individual who habitually abused Adderall. 70 mg of Adderall in one day is considered the maximum safe daily dose by the FDA.

The fatal amount of Adderall varies from person to person. Doses as high as 15,000 mg have been reported without killing the person who took the medication – although in most cases this would be more than enough to overdose. In general, 20-25 mg/kg of a person’s body weight is considered a fatal dose. In an adult weighing 150 lbs, the fatal dose would most likely be about 1360 mg.

Adderall overdose help

If you’ve taken a high dose of Adderall and experience adverse side effects, you should seek medical attention immediately. 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.

Let’s verify your coverage for treatment at an American Addiction Centers location. Your information is always confidential.

 

Overdose on Adderall questions

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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