Adderall Overdose: Symptoms, Treatment, Prevention

Key Takeaways

• Taking too much Adderall can cause a life-threatening overdose.
• Adderall overdose symptoms include confusion, nausea, and rapid breathing.
• Call 911 or Poison Control immediately if you suspect an overdose. 

Adderall (amphetamine-dextroamphetamine) is a drug 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 a fight-or-flight response when 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.

What’s the Recommended Daily Dosage of Adderall?

The recommended daily dosage of Adderall for adults with ADHD or the sleep disorder narcolepsy ranges 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:

Mild

• Confusion

• Headaches

• Hyperactivity

• Nausea

• Vomiting

• Rapid breathing

• Stomach pain

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:

• The person’s age
• How much Adderall was ingested (if known)
• Other substances (alcohol or drugs) that may have also been taken
• Any known allergies
• Any history of substance misuse

Getting Emergency Help

If you are in the United States, call the Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222 or call 911 right away if you or a loved one are in immediate danger.

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.

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

• Nardil (phenelzine)
• Marplan (isocarboxazid)
• Emsam (selegiline)
• Parnate (tranylcypromine)

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:

• Wellbutrin (buproprion)
• Sensipar (cinacalcet)
• Prozac (fluoxetine)
• Paxil (paroxetine)
• Norvir (ritonavir)
• Quinidex (quinidine)

Other medications that can produce drug interactions when taken with Adderall include tricyclic antidepressants and other serotonergic medications such 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:

• Taking the medicine in a way or dose other than what is prescribed (such as crushing pills, snorting the powder, or dissolving the powder from a capsule into water and injecting the liquid into a vein)
• Taking someone else’s prescription
• Taking medicine to get high rather than to reduce symptoms

Non-Medical Adderall Use Can Increase Likelihood of Overdose

Misuse of Adderall increases the likelihood of an overdose, also increasing the risk of abuse — and the misuse of Adderall is a growing problem. A 2016 study published in The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry found that non-medical use of Adderall by adults rose by 67%, and emergency department visits involving Adderall went up by 156% between 2006 and 2011.

Chronic misuse of Adderall may lead to symptoms such as:

• Insomnia
• Irritability
• Personality changes
• Severe rash

Adderall misuse can also influence the effects of alcohol. Because the stimulant effects of Adderall can counteract the depressant 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 to alcohol poisoning.

Adderall Addiction

Adderall can be addictive, especially when it is taken at doses higher than prescribed. Addiction to Adderall is characterized by continuing to take the substance despite adverse effects on a person’s life. 

It is important to note that substance dependence differs 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 overdose may involve administering activated charcoal to help absorb the medication. You also may need to get your stomach pumped. If overdose leads to serotonin syndrome, you may be given medication to block serotonin.

If a person is addicted to Adderall, some treatments can help. Commonly used approaches include cognitive 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:

• Never take more than your prescribed dose.
• Never let someone else take your medication.
• Never take anyone else’s prescription medication.
• Do not take a larger dose without consulting with your physician.
• Never take a second dose if you think you missed your first dose.
• Take your medication at the same time each day.

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

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

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14. Poison Control. Activated charcoal.

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

Additional Reading

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

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

By Amy Morin, LCSW

Amy Morin, LCSW, is a psychotherapist and international bestselling author. Her books, including “13 Things Mentally Strong People Don’t Do,” have been translated into more than 40 languages. Her TEDx talk,  “The Secret of Becoming Mentally Strong,” is one of the most viewed talks of all time.

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