Exact Answer: 3 Days
Adderall is a brand name for the combination of dextroamphetamine and amphetamine. It is a prescription drug used primarily to treat ADHD or narcolepsy (daytime sleepiness).
Summary
For people diagnosed with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), Adderall helps to improve concentration and focus. As a central nervous system stimulant, it can also have the very same effects on people without ADHD.
If one takes Adderall for ADHD, or for other purposes, it is important to be aware of its side effects. Effects can be positive when Adderall is taken as intended, but for people without ADHD who use the drug without medical supervision, the effects can be dangerous.
How Long Does Adderall Stay In Your System?
Adderall is a medication that alters certain naturally occurring chemicals in the brain by enhancing the effects of neurotransmitters such as dopamine.
Different tests detect the presence of Adderall within different timeframes. Thus, it is difficult to determine a single time specifying the exact duration of Adderall in one’s system.
Adderall has a half-life of 9 – 14 hours, which means that 9 – 14 hours after dosage, only half of the drug remains in the body. Adderall gets eliminated from the body within approximately 72 hours i.e 3 days. However, this can vary based on several factors.
Adderall comes in either a tablet form or as a time-release capsule. It can interfere with sleep, so it should be taken in the morning. As Adderall is a federally controlled substance, it should never be taken without medical supervision. It should not be used to treat tiredness or to hold off sleep in people who do not have a sleep disorder.
Some medicines can interact with substances present in Adderall and can cause a serious condition called serotonin syndrome. Adderall is not approved for use by anyone younger than 3 years old.
| Presence Of Adderall In: | Duration |
| Blood | 46 hours |
| Saliva | 20 – 50 hours |
| Hair | 3 months |
| Urine | 72 – 96 hours |
Why Does Adderall Stay In Your System For So Long?
Adderall contains central nervous system stimulants that affect chemicals in the brain and nerves that contribute to hyperactivity and impulse control. Adderall may cause new or worsening psychosis (unusual thoughts or behavior), especially if one has a history of depression, mental illness, or bipolar disorder.
Adderall is absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract and is either deactivated by the liver or eliminated unchanged in the urine. About 20 -25% of it is converted into other acids.
The rate at which the drug is eliminated can be affected by the pH of the person’s urine. A person with a low urine pH will tend to eliminate the drug faster, while a person with a higher pH may eliminate the drug more slowly.
Other factors that affect how long Adderall stays in a person’s system include the dosage taken, frequency of consumption, last dose of the said medication, body composition, metabolism, age, etc.
The older the person is, the more time it takes for the medication to leave the system because the size of the liver decreases with age and hence it takes longer for the liver to fully break down Adderall. The metabolism of a person also affects how long a drug stays in one’s body. The faster the metabolization process takes place, the faster it leaves the body.
Adderall must not be used if the person suffers from glaucoma, overactive thyroid, severe anxiety or agitation, high blood pressure, heart disease, coronary artery disease or has a history of drug or alcohol addiction.
Signs of allergic reaction to Adderall include difficulty in breathing, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat. Its common side effects are stomach pain, loss of appetite, weight loss, mood swings, headache, insomnia, etc.
Conclusion
Absorption of Adderall happens through the gastrointestinal tract that is later broken down by the liver and is finally eliminated from the body through the urine. Though it leaves the body by way of urine, it works throughout the body and thus its traces can be detected in blood, hair, and saliva as well.
Adderall can be detected in the system for up to 72 hours after one last uses it, depending on what type of detection test is used. The length of time the medication stays in one’s system depends on many factors, including dosage, rate of metabolism, age, organ function, and other factors.
One must seek advice from their doctor or pharmacist if there are any other concerns or questions about Adderall, its dosage, and possible side effects.
References
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0048969713001836
- https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.3109/10826080902858334
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