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Drug Info

Can you buy Adderall online?

Adderall can only be purchased online from a licensed healthcare provider
Leandra Beabout
By | May 29, 2024 Medically reviewed by Ashley Wong, Pharm. D.
an Rx prescription pad and Rx pill bottle: Can you buy Adderall online?

Key takeaways

  • Adderall is a prescription-only controlled substance used to treat ADHD. It may also be prescribed off-label for depression or fatigue in certain individuals. 

  • You can buy Adderall online from an online licensed healthcare provider. 

  • Use caution when purchasing Adderall online, as unlicensed, unregulated companies have been known to sell incorrect doses, fake drugs, or drugs filled with harmful substances.

  • If you are insured and prefer to get your Adderall prescription filled without going to a physical pharmacy, ask your provider about mail-order pharmacies. This may be a better, more affordable option than filling your Adderall prescription online.

In this article:

Adderall (amphetamine and dextroamphetamine) is a brand-name prescription drug used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Sometimes, Adderall is used to treat narcolepsy. Some healthcare providers also prescribe it off-label to improve symptoms of fatigue related to multiple sclerosis. 

Adderall is not available over the counter in the United States. As a stimulant drug, Adderall has a high potential for misuse and dependence. However, medical providers can prescribe Adderall online through telemedicine services, and patients can access Adderall online through legitimate pharmacies’ websites. 

Can you buy Adderall online?

“It is legal to purchase Adderall from an online licensed healthcare provider,” says Dave Rabin, MD, Ph.D., a neuroscientist, psychiatrist, and executive director of The Board of Medicine. That last part is key: You must buy from a licensed healthcare provider.

“Adderall is a Schedule II Controlled Substance per the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA),” explains Shawn Rowland, MD, founder and CEO of Jase Medical. “It is subject to more stringent restrictions than other prescription medications. Extra caution should be taken to ensure that you are dealing with appropriately licensed practitioners and pharmacies.”

A study published in the Journal of the American Pharmacists Association (JAPhA) found that 61 out of 62 online pharmacies selling Adderall were not legal or legitimate. This highlights the importance of finding the right pharmacy before ordering a refill for your ADHD treatment. 

What you need to know before buying Adderall online

First things first: There is a difference between buying stimulant medication online without a prescription and getting a valid Adderall prescription filled online, says psychiatrist Sid Khurana, M.D., the medical director for Nevada Mental Health. “

Trying to purchase Adderall online without a prescription is dangerous and potentially illegal. “You can be completely out on the black market,” warns Dr. Khurana. “You don’t know what you’re getting.” 

Is it safe to buy Adderall online?

It is safe for Americans to buy Adderall online from a legal internet pharmacy that is allowed to dispense controlled substances. Rogue online pharmacies, both in and outside the USA, may pop up on Americans’ search engine results, but they may be selling the wrong dose or even a fake Adderall pill laced with harmful substances. “Counterfeit medications, especially controlled substances like Adderall, are not uncommon online,” says Dr. Rowland. 

Dr. Rabin says red flags include: 

  • Prescriptions shipped to U.S. consumers from outside the U.S.
  • Prescriptions provided by unlicensed healthcare providers
  • Prescriptions provided without a formal medical interview, diagnosis, or ongoing care

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) offers a similar checklist of signs that an internet pharmacy is safe and legal:

  • Always requires proof of a doctor’s prescription
  • Has a physical address and telephone number in the United States;
  • Is licensed in the state(s) in which they are operating;
  • Is licensed in all states in which they do business
  • Has a state-licensed pharmacist on staff to answer patient questions.

Still, just because an internet pharmacy is safe and legal does not mean it’s the best option for you. In addition to potential risks of abuse and dependency, Adderall’s potential side effects include weight loss and anxiety. Serious side effects include worsening mental health and heart problems. Adderall should always be taken along with ongoing care under the supervision of a trusted licensed healthcare professional, says Dr. Rabin. Only a doctor who knows your diagnosis, personal medical history, and family history can make medication adjustments if needed. Ultimately, filling your prescription online is not an excuse to stop communicating with your medical provider. 

RELATED: Does Adderall cause anxiety?

Dr. Khurana says insured individuals who can’t go to a pharmacy to fill their ADHD medication should also consider mail-order pharmacies. These pharmacies work directly with insurance coverage providers to send patients their prescription drugs in the mail. “These are very real, legit ways of getting your prescriptions,” he adds.

How much does Adderall cost online?

There is no standardized price for Adderall online. However, information from the study published in JAPha reveals that, at all doses and quantities, Adderall prices are higher online than through discount Rx programs like SingleCare.

The cost of Adderall depends on several factors, including pharmacy, dosage, quantity, drug formulation (Adderall X.R. or I.R.), and whether the patient has health insurance. 

Without insurance, Adderall typically costs about $13 per tablet or $399 for a one-month supply of 30, 20-mg tablets. A 30-day supply of generic Adderall costs significantly less — about $8 with a SingleCare coupon.

People looking for a reasonable price for Adderall prescriptions should ask their doctor or pharmacist about drug company discount programs or prescription savings cards such as the SingleCare card. You can also use the SingleCare website to find local pharmacies that accept SingleCare Adderall coupons.

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