Adderall is a stimulant medication that is used to treat individuals with attention deficit disorder (ADD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). It constitutes a mixture of both dextroamphetamine and amphetamine.
This drug is available in oral tablet form to offer immediate release and is also manufactured as a capsule to cater to extended-release forms.
This drug is one of the most largely prescribed ADHD treatment drugs. The degree of effects of Adderall lasts for different durations, depending on which version of the drug is being used.
While the immediate-release variant shows effects for only 4 to 6 hours per dose, Adderall XR, the extended-release variant should only be taken once every morning.
Let’s take a look at how long Adderall stays in your system.
How Long Does Adderall Stay In Your Body?
Essentially, Adderall is first absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract. Then it either gets deactivated by the liver or is flushed down in the urine. Approximately 20 to 25% of Adderall is recast into metabolites, including benzoic and hippuric acids.
The duration for which Adderall stays in a person’s body is based on a bunch of factors. For instance, the rate at which this drug is eliminated from your body depends on the pH of your urine.
While someone with a low urine pH will eliminate Adderall much faster, a person carrying higher pH in their urine will take more time to remove it from their bodies.
Usually, you can detect traces of Adderall in your urine for 72 to 96 hours after your last usage. It is present in your bloodstream for up to 46 hours, in your hair for as long as 3 months, and in your saliva for 20 to 50 hours.
It’s important to know that the duration of time it can be detected in your system is governed by a few factors. Some of these include the frequency of use and dosage, weight, urine pH, and more.
Some other factors that can affect the course of Adderall in a person’s system are listed below:
- How frequently a person takes the drug
- What kind of those the person takes
- When the person last consumed the drug
- How much a person weighs
- If the person has a liver or kidney impairment
Factors Affecting How Long Adderall Stays in Your System
Every individual’s body will metabolize, break down, and eliminate Adderall at variable times. The duration of this drug staying in your system depends on several factors.
Organ Function
The three organs that play a key role during this process are the gastrointestinal tract, liver, and kidneys. If any of these systems or organs fail to function properly, it can take much longer for this drug to eliminate from your body.
Age
As the years pass, it can take longer for certain medications to leave your body. This occurs due to various reasons.
- With time, your body composition changes. This causes changes in how quickly your body breaks down and flushes out drugs like Adderall.
- As you grow, kidney functions and the output of urine also keeps decreasing. Each of these factors causes medications to persist in your body for a long period of time.
- The liver keeps decreasing in size throughout a person’s life, which also means that it may take a longer time to break down the Adderall.
Dosage
Adderall is available for consumption in different varieties of strengths ranging from 5 mg to 30 mg capsules or tablets. The higher a dose is the longer it may take for your system to metabolize it completely.
Metabolism
Every individual’s liver carries enzymes that metabolize different drugs like Adderall. A faster rate of metabolism suggests that since this drug is broken down more quickly, it won’t take long to leave your system.
However, someone with a slower metabolism rate will take longer to fully eliminate Adderall.
Body Composition
The overall body composition (weight, body fat, and height) determines how long Adderall stays in your body. For instance, a person with a bulkier build may need a heavier dose of the drug, as compared to someone with a slimmer profile.
The larger a person’s build is, the longer it takes for Adderall to leave their bodies, considering the high quantity of the drug consumed by them.
How to Test the Presence of Adderall in the System?
Various sports organizations, mental and medical health professionals, law enforcement, and employers often test for amphetamines, a component present in Adderall. Some of the most common ways to determine its presence are through saliva tests, hair tests, blood tests, and urine tests.
- Saliva Test – One can detect the traces of Adderall in saliva for around 20 to 50 hours.
- Hair Test – Although this kind of testing is not used as commonly as the others, hair testing offers a better window of detection time. The presence of amphetamines can be indicated for as late as 3 months after last use.
- Blood Test – Blood testing can only reflect the traces of Adderall after the last use for up to 46 hours.
- Urine Test – This is the most widely used mode of testing. A person is highly likely to test positive for traces of Adderall 72 to 96 hours after their last usage.
Is Adderall Abused?
Despite the fact that Adderall is universally prescribed to treat ADHD, it is still abused. This often leads to issues such as psychotic behavior, unhealthy weight loss, overdose, and addiction. In fact, uncontrolled consumption of Adderall can also result in adverse effects such as cardiovascular diseases.
Studies indicate that from 2016 to 2017, the total population of people (age 12 and older) who fell prey to Adderall abuse increased from 5.1 million to 5.2 million.
Ofttimes, people who abuse this drug get their hands on it either by purchasing it illegally or procuring others’ medication. Although this drug is taken orally, addicts may also consume it by injecting, snorting, or crushing in order to boost the high.
Some adults administer Adderall to heighten their memory, which leads to better performance at work. High school and college students use it to improve their academic performance.
Common Symptoms of Adderall Overuse
Excessive intake of Adderall can lead to addiction. This type of addiction can hamper several aspects of a person’s life, such as their professional front, school life, relationships, health, and more.
Some of the most common symptoms of Adderall overdose are listed below:
- Confusion
- Panic
- Hallucinations
- Anger issues
- Vomiting and Nausea
- Abdominal cramps and Diarrhea
- High fever
- Irregular heartbeat
- Fluctuating blood pressure
- Convulsions
- Coma
- Tremors
- Restlessness
The Bottomline
Traces of Adderall can be noticed in your system for up to 72 hours, or in some cases, 3 months after your last use.
However, this greatly depends on the kind of detection test you perform.
If you know someone who is suffering from Adderall abuse or experiencing this yourself, it’s always best to reach out to a healthcare professional and seek help.
