Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsFatal DosagesSymptomsWhat to DoDrug InteractionsDependance and AddictionTreatmentPrevention

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

Fatal Dosages

Symptoms

What to Do

Drug Interactions

Dependance and Addiction

Treatment

Prevention

What is the most important information I should know about Adderall overdose?Taking too much Adderall can lead to a potentially life-threatening overdose.Always take your medication as directed and seek emergency treatment if you or someone you know experiences symptoms of an overdose.

What is the most important information I should know about Adderall overdose?

Taking too much Adderall can lead to a potentially life-threatening overdose.Always take your medication as directed and seek emergency treatment if you or someone you know experiences symptoms of an overdose.

Adderall (amphetamine-dextroamphetamine) is adrug prescribed for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder(ADHD), and it has a high potential for abuse.However, taking too much of this drug—even accidentally—can lead to an overdose, which can sometimes be fatal.

What’s more, some people are more sensitive to stimulants than others, so the amount that could lead to an overdose varies from person to person. Learn more about Adderall overdose, including how to prevent it from happening and treatment options if you’ve developed a dependence on this drug.

What Dosage of Adderall Can Be Fatal?

Amphetamine toxicity can occur in doses as small as 2 mcg but generally occurs in doses between 15 and 30 mg.That said, everyone responds to this drug differently, so overdose can occur even outside these parameters.

An Adderall overdose involves excessive stimulation of the sympathetic nervous system.This is the bodily system that activates afight-or-flight responsewhen there’s a sign of danger.

Depending on the person and their motives, an overdose may be intentional or accidental. It’s also important to note that Adderall can be lethal to animals if ingested.

The recommended daily dosage of Adderall for adults with ADHD or thesleep disorder narcolepsyranges from 5 mg to 60 mg.Doctors typically begin with the smallest dose and then adjust as needed to achieve the greatest therapeutic effect with the least amount of side effects.

Symptoms of Adderall Overdose

Symptoms of Adderall overdose can range from mild to severe and include the following:

MildConfusionHeadachesHyperactivityNauseaVomitingRapid breathingStomach painSevereHallucinationsRhabdomyolysis (breakdown of muscles)TremorsHeart attackFeverAggressivenessPanicDeath

MildConfusionHeadachesHyperactivityNauseaVomitingRapid breathingStomach pain

Confusion

Headaches

Hyperactivity

Nausea

Vomiting

Rapid breathing

Stomach pain

SevereHallucinationsRhabdomyolysis (breakdown of muscles)TremorsHeart attackFeverAggressivenessPanicDeath

Hallucinations

Rhabdomyolysis (breakdown of muscles)

Tremors

Heart attack

Fever

Aggressiveness

Panic

Death

What to Do in the Event of Adderall Overdose

If you suspect that you or someone you know has overdosed on Adderall, seek emergency treatment immediately. Be prepared to provide the following information to the emergency responders and/or physician:

Getting Emergency HelpIf you are in the United States, call thePoison Control Centerat1-800-222-1222or call911right away if you or a loved one are in immediate danger.911

Getting Emergency Help

If you are in the United States, call thePoison Control Centerat1-800-222-1222or call911right away if you or a loved one are in immediate danger.

911

How Does Adderall Interact With Other Drugs?

Adderall may interact with some medications, so it’s important to talk to your physician about any medications you’re taking before taking Adderall. This includes vitamins, over-the-counter medications, and nutritional supplements, as well as any other prescriptions.

Combiningmonoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)with Adderall, for example, can increase the risk of a hypertensive reaction.Common MAOIs include:

Meanwhile, taking medications that inhibit CYP2D6 (an enzyme involved in drug metabolism) while taking Adderall can increase the risk of serious side effects.Common CYP2D6 inhibitors include:

Other medications that can produce drug interactions when taken with Adderall includetricyclic antidepressantsand otherserotonergic medicationssuch as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), St. John’s wort, lithium, and tramadol.

Tell your healthcare provider about any medications, supplements, or other substances you are currently taking before you begin taking Adderall.

Adderall Misuse and Addiction

Adderall can be habit-forming and has the potential for misuse.When used in ways that are not intended, it can increase a person’s risk of experiencing dependence, addiction, overdose, and other adverse effects.

Adderall Misuse

Misusing Adderall can be dangerous and produce various problems, including potentially hazardous side effects. Misuse of a prescription drug involves:

Non-Medical Adderall Use Can Increase Likelihood of Overdose

Chronic misuse of Adderall may lead to symptoms such as:

Adderall misuse can also influence the effects of alcohol. Because the stimulant effects of Adderall can counteract thedepressant effects of alcohol, people often feel less intoxicated than they are.As a result, they may drink more than they normally would. This can lead to serious impairments, increase the risk of accidents, or even lead to death due toalcohol poisoning.

Adderall Addiction

It is important to note thatsubstance dependencediffers from addiction. Dependence can occur after taking a medication for some time and involves experiencing withdrawal effects if you reduce the dose or stop taking the medication. Addiction, on the other hand, often involves taking increasingly larger amounts and feeling like you cannot function without the drug.

Treatment for Adderall Overdose

Treatment for an overdosemay involve administering activated charcoal to help absorb the medication.You also may need to get your stomach pumped. If overdose leads toserotonin syndrome,you may be given medication to block serotonin.

If a person is addicted to Adderall, some treatments can help. Commonly used approaches includecognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)and contingency management.

Preventing Adderall Overdose

There are steps you can take to prevent yourself or someone you love from overdosing on Adderall, including:

How Stimulants Work to Reduce ADHD Symptoms

16 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Lueck JA, Costantini R, Knobloch M.The making of an addition: examining psychological determinants of prescription stimulant abuse among college students.Health Comm. 2020;35(8):946-954. doi:10.1080/10410236.2019.1598743

National Library of Medicine.Amphetamine.

Wood KE, McCarthy PJ, Krasowski MD.A case series involving young children presenting with accidental ingestion of amphetamine based stimulants.Toxicol Rep. 2018;5:1129-1133. doi:10.1016/j.toxrep.2018.11.001

Harris S, McMichael MA, Harmon R, Boothe D.Case report: Successful intravenous lipid emulsion therapy for canine amphetamine toxicosis.Front Vet Sci. 2022;9:938021. doi:10.3389/fvets.2022.938021

Department of Health & Human Services.Stimulant and related medications: U.S. Food and Drug Administration-approved indications and dosages for use in adults.

U.S. Food & Drug Administration.Adderall® CII (dextroamphetamine saccharate, amphetamine aspartate, dextroamphetamine sulfate and amphetamine sulfate tablets).

American Association of Psychiatric Pharmacists.Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOI): Potential adverse effects: Dosing and administration.

Weyandt LL, Oster DR, Marraccini ME, et al.Prescription stimulant medication misuse: Where are we and where do we go from here?Exp Clin Psychopharmacol. 2016;24(5):400-414. doi:10.1037/pha0000093

National Institute on Drug Abuse.Misuse of prescription drugs research report: Overview.

Chen LY, Crum RM, Strain EC, Alexander GC, Kaufmann C, Mojtabai R.Prescriptions, nonmedical use, and emergency department visits involving prescription stimulants.J Clin Psychiatry. 2016;77(3):e297-e304. doi:10.4088/JCP.14m09291

Weyandt L, White T, Gudmundsdottir B, et al.Neurocognitive, autonomic, and mood effects of Adderall: A pilot study of healthy college students.Pharmacy. 2018;6(3):58. doi:10.3390/pharmacy6030058

University of California, Davis Student Health and Counseling Services.Alcohol mixed with other drugs.

Kerna NA, Fores JV, Holets HM, et al.Adderall: On the razor’s edge of ADHD treatment, enhanced academic and physical performance, addiction, psychosis, and death.EC Psychol Psychiatry. 2020;9(12):65-71. doi:10.31080/ecpp.2020.09.00801

Poison Control.Activated charcoal.

National Institute on Drug Abuse.How can prescription drug addiction be treated?

Ruhm CJ.Drug involvement in fatal overdoses.SSM - Pop Health. 2017;3:219-226. doi:10.1016/j.ssmph.2017.01.009U.S. Food & Drug Administration.Adderall® CII (dextroamphetamine saccharate, amphetamine aspartate, dextroamphetamine sulfate and amphetamine sulfate tablets).

Ruhm CJ.Drug involvement in fatal overdoses.SSM - Pop Health. 2017;3:219-226. doi:10.1016/j.ssmph.2017.01.009

Meet Our Review Board

Share Feedback

Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?HelpfulReport an ErrorOtherSubmit

Was this page helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

What is your feedback?HelpfulReport an ErrorOtherSubmit

What is your feedback?