Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsMain DifferencesDosingSide Effects and SafetyWho Should Take Adderall XR vs. IR?
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Main Differences
Dosing
Side Effects and Safety
Who Should Take Adderall XR vs. IR?
There are two formulations of Adderall: Adderall extended-release (XR) and Adderall immediate-release (IR).
Adderall IR (dextroamphetamine/amphetamine), the immediate-release form of Adderall, is used to treatattention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)and a sleep disorder callednarcolepsy.
Adderall XR (mixed salts of a single-entity amphetamine product), on the other hand, is used to treat only ADHD.
This article compares the similarities and differences between Adderall IR and Adderall XR.
Getty Images /Bloomberg/ Contributor
Adderall XR vs. IR: What Are the Differences?
Extended-release or “XR” medications release a drug slowly into the body over a period of time. Immediate-release or “IR” medications, on the other hand, release a drug into your body right away.
Adderall IR is a short-acting formulation that generally lasts for about four to six hours. It is usually prescribed to be taken two to three times a day to provide symptom relief throughout the day.
The following table highlights the main similarities and differences between Adderall IR and Adderall XR.
Dosing for Adderall XR vs. IR
Adderall IR is available in tablets. Dosage recommendations for Adderall depend on the individual’s age and condition:
Adderall XR is available in capsules. When starting or switching to Adderall XR, your healthcare provider may start with 10 mg (adolescents) or 20 mg (adults) once daily and adjust the dosage weekly as needed. Capsules can be swallowed whole with water or other liquids. It can be taken with or without food.
Use all medicine as directed on your prescription label and read all medication guides.
Because Adderall IR and Adderall XR both have the same active ingredient, users may experience similar side effects with both medications.
The following listed side effects are common when taking both Adderall IR and Adderall XR:
Severe Side Effects
The following side effects of Adderall IR and Adderall XR can be severe and potentially life-threatening.
Tell your healthcare provider immediately if you notice the emergence or worsening of any of these side effects.
Risk of Abuse and MisuseAdderall IR and Adderall XR are bothScheduleII controlled substances due to their high potential forabuse, dependence, and addiction.Adderall IR and Adderall XR are habit-forming medications. Both have boxed warnings, the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) strictest safety warning, because of its high potential for abuse and misuse. Improper use of stimulants like Adderall can lead to overdose and death.Tell your healthcare provider if you have had problems with substance use disorder in the past.
Risk of Abuse and Misuse
Adderall IR and Adderall XR are bothScheduleII controlled substances due to their high potential forabuse, dependence, and addiction.Adderall IR and Adderall XR are habit-forming medications. Both have boxed warnings, the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) strictest safety warning, because of its high potential for abuse and misuse. Improper use of stimulants like Adderall can lead to overdose and death.Tell your healthcare provider if you have had problems with substance use disorder in the past.
Adderall IR and Adderall XR are bothScheduleII controlled substances due to their high potential forabuse, dependence, and addiction.
Adderall IR and Adderall XR are habit-forming medications. Both have boxed warnings, the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) strictest safety warning, because of its high potential for abuse and misuse. Improper use of stimulants like Adderall can lead to overdose and death.
Tell your healthcare provider if you have had problems with substance use disorder in the past.
Interactions
Be sure your healthcare provider knows if you also take:
Drugs that affect serotonin levels, like SSRIs and SNRIs, may interact with Adderall and cause a serious condition calledserotonin syndrome.
Seek medical attention immediately if you have symptoms of serotonin syndrome, such as:
Do not use Adderall IR and Adderall XR if you have taken amonoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI)in the past 14 days.
Your healthcare provider will determine whether taking Adderall XR or IR is best based on your or your child’s individual needs. They may consider key factors such as the severity and frequency of symptoms, your or your child’s daily routine, and response to different formulations.
Adderall XR is a longer-acting formulation designed to relieve symptoms for up to 12 hours.This can be beneficial for individuals who need to maintain focus and concentration throughout the day because it helps to prevent the need for an additional dose during school or work hours.
In contrast, Adderall IR is an immediate-release formulation designed to provide symptom relief for up to six hours.This can be beneficial for individuals who need more flexibility in their dosing schedule or who experience side effects with Adderall XR.
Communicate any concerns or side effects to your healthcare provider so that they can make any necessary adjustments to your medication regimen.
Comparing Vyvanse vs. Adderall for ADHD
Summary
There are two formulations of Adderall: Adderall XR and Adderall IR. Both are taken for treating ADHD, while Adderall IR is additionally taken for treating narcolepsy.
The active ingredient is the same in both medications, but they differ in how long they last in the body. Adderall XR is long-acting, while Adderall IR is short-acting. Your healthcare provider will choose between IR or XR formulation depending on your or your child’s needs.
Both medications may cause side effects, some of which can be severe and potentially life-threatening, so follow all dosage recommendations and report any side effects to your healthcare provider.
4 SourcesVerywell Health 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.DailyMed.Adderall label.U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Adderall XR label.Brams M, Moon E, Pucci M, López FA.Duration of effect of oral long-acting stimulant medications for ADHD throughout the day.Curr Med Res Opin. 2010;26(8):1809-1825. doi:10.1185/03007995.2010.488553Steingard R, Taskiran S, Connor DF, Markowitz JS, Stein MA.New formulations of stimulants: an update for clinicians.J Child Adolesc Psychopharmacol. 2019;29(5):324-339. doi:10.1089/cap.2019.0043
4 Sources
Verywell Health 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.DailyMed.Adderall label.U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Adderall XR label.Brams M, Moon E, Pucci M, López FA.Duration of effect of oral long-acting stimulant medications for ADHD throughout the day.Curr Med Res Opin. 2010;26(8):1809-1825. doi:10.1185/03007995.2010.488553Steingard R, Taskiran S, Connor DF, Markowitz JS, Stein MA.New formulations of stimulants: an update for clinicians.J Child Adolesc Psychopharmacol. 2019;29(5):324-339. doi:10.1089/cap.2019.0043
Verywell Health 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.
DailyMed.Adderall label.U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Adderall XR label.Brams M, Moon E, Pucci M, López FA.Duration of effect of oral long-acting stimulant medications for ADHD throughout the day.Curr Med Res Opin. 2010;26(8):1809-1825. doi:10.1185/03007995.2010.488553Steingard R, Taskiran S, Connor DF, Markowitz JS, Stein MA.New formulations of stimulants: an update for clinicians.J Child Adolesc Psychopharmacol. 2019;29(5):324-339. doi:10.1089/cap.2019.0043
DailyMed.Adderall label.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Adderall XR label.
Brams M, Moon E, Pucci M, López FA.Duration of effect of oral long-acting stimulant medications for ADHD throughout the day.Curr Med Res Opin. 2010;26(8):1809-1825. doi:10.1185/03007995.2010.488553
Steingard R, Taskiran S, Connor DF, Markowitz JS, Stein MA.New formulations of stimulants: an update for clinicians.J Child Adolesc Psychopharmacol. 2019;29(5):324-339. doi:10.1089/cap.2019.0043
Meet Our Medical Expert Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
What is your feedback?
By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts.Cookies SettingsAccept All Cookies
By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts.
Cookies SettingsAccept All Cookies
