Adderall XR Dosage Guide - Drugs.com (2024)

Pretreatment Screening

​Prior to treating patients with ADDERALL XR, assess:

• ​for the presence of cardiac disease (i.e., perform a careful history, family history of sudden death or ventricular arrhythmia, and physical exam) [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2)].
• ​the family history and clinically evaluate patients for motor or verbal tics or Tourette’s syndrome before initiating ADDERALL XR [see Warnings and Precautions (5.9)].

General Administration Information

Individualize the dosage according to the therapeutic needs and response of the patient. Administer ADDERALL XR at the lowest effective dosage.

Based on bioequivalence data, patients taking divided doses of immediate-release ADDERALL, (for example, twice daily), may be switched to ADDERALL XR at the same total daily dose taken once daily. Titrate at weekly intervals to appropriate efficacy and tolerability as indicated.

ADDERALL XR extended-release capsules may be taken whole, or the capsule may be opened and the entire contents sprinkled on applesauce. If the patient is using the sprinkle administration method, the sprinkled applesauce should be consumed immediately; it should not be stored. Patients should take the applesauce with sprinkled beads in its entirety without chewing. The dose of a single capsule should not be divided. The contents of the entire capsule should be taken, and patients should not take anything less than one capsule per day.

ADDERALL XR may be taken orally with or without food.

​ADDERALL XR should be given upon awakening. Afternoon doses should be avoided because of the potential for insomnia.

Recommended Dosage in Pediatric Patients 6 to 12 Years

In pediatric patients 6 to 12 years of age with ADHD and are either starting treatment for the first time or switching from another medication, start with 10 mg once daily in the morning; daily dosage may be adjusted in increments of 5 mg or 10 mg at weekly intervals. When in the judgment of the clinician a lower initial dose is appropriate, patients may begin treatment with 5 mg once daily in the morning.

The maximum recommended dose for children 6 to 12 years of age is 30 mg/day; doses greater than 30 mg/day have not been studied in children. ADDERALL XR has not been studied in children under 6 years of age.

Recommended Dosage in Pediatric Patients 13 to 17 Years

The recommended starting dose for pediatric patients 13 to 17 years of age with ADHD and are either starting treatment for the first time or switching from another medication is 10 mg/day. The dose may be increased to 20 mg/day after one week if ADHD symptoms are not adequately controlled.

Recommended Dosage in Adults

In adults with ADHD who are either starting treatment for the first time or switching from another medication, the recommended dose is 20 mg/day.

Dosage in Patients with Renal Impairment

In adult patients with severe renal impairment (GFR 15 to <30 mL/min/1.73 m2), the recommended dose is 15 mg once daily in the morning. In pediatric patients (6 to 17 years of age) with severe renal impairment, the recommended dose is 5 mg once daily. The maximum dose for children 6 to 12 years of age with severe renal impairment is 20 mg once daily. ADDERALL XR is not recommended in patients with end stage renal disease (ESRD) (GFR <15 mL/min/1.73 m2) [see Use in Specific Populations (8.6), Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)].

​2.7 Dosage Modification Due to Drug Interactions

​Agents that alter urinary pH can impact excretion and alter blood levels of amphetamines. Acidifying agents (e.g., ascorbic acid) decrease blood levels; adjust ADDERALL XR dosage based on clinical response [see Drug Interactions (7)].