Developed by the pharmaceutical company Shire in 1996, Adderall is a prescription stimulant used to treat attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and narcolepsy. The drug can cause numerous side effects and behavioral issues, including euphoria, sleep disruption, mental health problems or addiction.
In recent years, many young adults have abused the medication for its euphoric effects. A 2016 study published in The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry found that Adderall misuse is highest among adults aged 18 to 25, who primarily receive the medication from loved ones without a prescription.
A number of factors influence how long the drug remains in the blood, urine and saliva. Adderall remains in the body for longer periods of time than LSD, but for less time than opiates and opioids stay in your system. Adderall can be detected in saliva for up to 72 hours and in urine for between two and four days.
Seeking Help For Addiction?
Our facilities across the U.S. offer a full continuum of care, custom treatment plans, and comprehensive discharge plans to aid in the success of your recovery.
Find A Center Near You
How Long Does Adderall Stay in Your Blood, Urine and Saliva?
Adderall has a short half-life, which is the time it takes for half the dose of a drug to be eliminated from the body. Dextroamphetamine, the primary ingredient in Adderall, has an average half-life of 10 hours in adults, 11 hours in teens aged 13 to 17 who weigh less than 166 pounds and 9 hours in children aged six to 12.
Amphetamine, another ingredient in Adderall, can be detected in urine for one to two days after last use. In a 2003 study where patients received a 20 milligram dose of Adderall, amphetamine was detected in the urine at least 47 hours later.
How Long Does Adderall Stay in Your Urine?
The window for detecting Adderall in urine depends on how much of the drug you take. On average, Adderall can be detected in urine for about two to four days after last use.
But chronic use of the drug and other amphetamines can cause Adderall to stay in urine for up to a week, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
How Long Does Adderall Stay in Your Blood?
Adderall can also be detected in the blood. According to a report by the Food and Drug Administration, an immediate-release tablet of Adderall produces peak plasma concentrations about three hours after last use.
A 2009 study published in the journal Molecular Psychiatry showed that 20 milligrams of Adderall XR, an extended-release capsule, can produce a maximum plasma concentration about six hours after ingestion.
How Long Does Adderall Stay in Your Saliva?
Adderall can be detected with a saliva drug test about five to 10 minutes after last use, and it remains in saliva for up to 72 hours. However, saliva tests can easily be contaminated if you smoke or ingest other substances.
Factors That Affect Drug Duration
A number of factors influence the length of time Adderall remains in your body. These factors include a person’s physiological makeup, frequency of use and stress levels. The amount of the medication taken and the time of usage also affect the detection window.
Physiological Makeup
A person’s physical health greatly affects the length of time Adderall stays in the body. Physiological makeup includes height, weight, age, percentage of body fat, fitness habits and overall health. Adderall is eliminated from the body of someone in good health more quickly than in a person in poor health.
Stress Levels
Mood can also influence how long Adderall remains in the system. For example, someone who is struggling with anxiety will likely absorb the drug at a slower rate than a person who is not dealing with stress.
Frequency of Use
Adderall remains in the body longer among people who take the medication several times per week when compared with individuals who use the drug once a week. People addicted to Adderall may use the drug much more frequently than others.
Dosage
The higher the dosage, the longer the drug stays in the body. Additionally, extended-release versions of the drug can be traced in the body for lengthier periods of time than immediate-release formulations.
How Long Does Adderall Last?
The therapeutic effects of an immediate-release tablet of Adderall begin 45 to 60 minutes after use, with peak effects occurring two to three hours after ingestion. In total, the effects of Adderall can last four to six hours.
Adderall XR capsules, an extended-release formulation, dissolve more slowly in the body. The effects of this medication kick in within 30 to 60 minutes, and they can last up to 12 hours. The peak effects take place four to seven hours after use.
How to Get Adderall Out of Your System
A person’s metabolism, body weight and frequency of drug use affect how long drugs such as Adderall stay in the body. While a number of products claim to flush drugs from the body, the best way to get Adderall out of your system is to wait for the body to clear it naturally.
Many people have attempted to use masking agents to pass a drug test. It is a common myth that vitamin B3 (niacin) can cleanse toxins from the body, but no evidence of its effectiveness exists.
Most products that claim to clear drugs from the body or interfere with drug tests do not work, and they can be costly. Labs can easily identify masking agents in test samples.
Start your recovery now
Our recovery programs are based on decades of research to deliver treatment that really works.
Get help today
Medical Disclaimer: DrugRehab.com aims to improve the quality of life for people struggling with a substance use or mental health disorder with fact-based content about the nature of behavioral health conditions, treatment options and their related outcomes. We publish material that is researched, cited, edited and reviewed by licensed medical professionals. The information we provide is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. It should not be used in place of the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider.
