How to make Adderall more effective?

In this article:

• Adderall tolerance
• How to make Adderall more effective?
• When to see a healthcare professional

In this article

• Adderall tolerance
• How to make Adderall more effective?
• When to see a healthcare professional

Adderall is a well-known prescription medication for the treatment of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Over time, individuals taking the stimulant drug may notice Adderall becoming less effective, which may affect career or academic performance. 

To help readers get the most out of ADHD treatment, we spoke to medical experts about these concerns. Below, learn the reasons why Adderall may be less effective in the long term and ways to improve its effects.

Adderall tolerance

First, it’s important to understand how Adderall works. Adderall is one brand name for amphetamine-dextroamphetamine, which is a central nervous system (CNS) stimulant. 

“Adderall works by turning up the volume on your brain’s focus and impulse control,” says Dr. Sylvie Stacy MD, an addiction medicine specialist and Chief Medical Officer for Rehab.com. She explains, “It boosts brain chemicals that are underactive in ADHD. This helps you stay on task and manage distractions more effectively.”

Two of the main chemicals boosted by Adderall are norepinephrine and dopamine. 

• Norepinephrine, sometimes referred to as noradrenaline, is a neurotransmitter that regulates arousal, attention, cognitive function, and stress reactions. 
• Dopamine is a hormone that helps you feel good, but it also plays a role in focus, motivation, and alertness. 

The average dosage for Adderall is determined by many factors, including age, weight, medical history, and more.

“The range of Adderall dosing is from 10 mg to 70 mg, but most people take about 20 mg to 50 mg,” says Dr. Julian Lagoy, MD, a board-certified psychiatrist with Mindpath Health. 

Another consideration for the Adderall dosage depends on the type of medication. There are two types of Adderall: extended-release (Adderall XR) and immediate-release (Adderall IR). On average, those taking extended-release Adderall will feel the effects for up to 12 hours, while those on immediate-release Adderall will notice benefits for 4 to 6 hours. 

While Adderall can improve the daily lives of those with ADHD by managing symptoms, those who take the medication long term may begin to notice the medicine is less effective. This could be because the Adderall doesn’t feel as potent anymore or that the effects of the medication don’t last as long.

“Unfortunately, one’s body can develop tolerance to Adderall, and it will become less effective over time if used for many years,” says Dr. Lagoy.

How fast someone builds up a tolerance to Adderall is different for everyone. Some people develop a tolerance after months or years on the drug, but others develop a tolerance much sooner. There are also people who develop a partial tolerance to Adderall, where they still experience the effects of the medication, just not as much as when they initially started taking it.

Increasing the Adderall dose may be one solution, but it’s not always that simple. The drug comes with many potential side effects. Common side effects include restlessness, weight loss, difficulty sleeping, mood swings, dry mouth, increased heart rate, increased blood pressure, and more. Serious side effects include high blood pressure, allergic reactions, irregular heartbeat, and suicidal thoughts. Adderall is also a controlled substance, meaning there is a risk for misuse, dependence, addiction, and withdrawal.

How to make Adderall more effective?

Dr. Stacy and Dr. Lagoy suggested some ways to maximize the beneficial effects of Adderall and lower the risk for medication tolerance.

Take a break from the medication

One important way to reduce your tolerance to Adderall is by taking it less.

Dr. Stacy recommends taking drug holidays from Adderall. On leisurely weekends that don’t require focus, consider skipping your dose. The same goes for students during holiday breaks from high school or college.

“Only use Adderall when needed, so if you are going on vacation or if you have a day off and you do not need it, then do not take it,” Dr. Lagoy agrees. “The longer you take Adderall at a high dose increases the risk of it becoming less effective.”

Consider changing your diet

“My advice is to maintain a balanced and healthy diet while taking Adderall,” says Dr. Lagoy. “Unhealthy foods cause changes in one’s body that decrease the absorption and the overall effectiveness of Adderall.”

Recent research has found a high-fat diet correlates with poor sleep and behavioral deficits like anxiety and depression, which could make ADHD symptoms worse. In a study of mice, those on a high-fat diet had more ADHD-like behaviors compared to mice on a normal diet. 

And in one review of ADHD studies, preliminary evidence suggests that some minerals and probiotics could improve symptoms. 

Create a regular exercise routine

“I also encourage regular exercise, as being in good shape physically helps one’s body to better process Adderall and also helps maintain brain health, which will maximize the effect of the Adderall when taken,” explained Dr. Lagoy.

While the majority of research about the effects of exercise on ADHD symptoms has looked at younger populations, the findings are still promising. A 2022 meta-analysis found that “physical exercise can help alleviate the symptoms of ADHD in children.” Researchers have found improvements in attention, executive functioning, and motor skills when those with ADHD exercise.

Make overall lifestyle changes

“The best way to optimize the effects of Adderall is to combine it with behavioral and lifestyle measures to address your ADHD,” says Dr. Stacy. “This can include going to therapy, getting plenty of sleep, eating a balanced diet, and learning skills and strategies for time management and organization.”

Look into medication interactions

There are some drugs that make Adderall less effective, including haloperidol, chlorpromazine, and lithium. These are prescription drugs that treat mental health conditions like Tourette syndrome and bipolar disorder. Vitamin C, found in citrus juices and vitamin supplements, can hinder the absorption of Adderall and make it less effective. Talk to your healthcare provider about all medications, vitamins, and supplements you take to see if there could be an interaction with Adderall. 

Consider the Adderall formula

Some people taking generic amphetamine-dextroamphetamine may notice a difference if they switch to brand-name Adderall. 

“In my experience, there is a significant difference between the generic and name brand of Adderall,” said Dr. Lagoy. “There are definitely some people who can take either the name brand or the generic and not notice a difference, but there are also other patients that notice a significant difference between the two.” Dr. Lagoy recommends starting with the generic brand since it’s more affordable.

Those who take the immediate-release Adderall (IR) and notice it doesn’t last as long may want to try the extended-release formulation, Adderall XR. On the other hand, if the extended-release formulation does not last as long, it is possible the immediate-release capsules taken twice daily may be a better fit.

When to see a healthcare professional

If you’ve noticed Adderall has lost its effectiveness for treating your ADHD symptoms, it’s important to speak to your prescribing doctor. They may suggest adjusting the Adderall dosage or switching to other ADHD medications like Ritalin, Vyvanse, or Concerta. 

It’s especially important to speak with a medical professional before making any changes to your medication routine. There are critical interactions to consider for those on Adderall. Adverse effects like heart problems or the potentially life-threatening serotonin syndrome could happen from the wrong combination of medications.

Since ADHD can make aspects of daily life harder, setting up visits with a therapist can also be a big help in the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. A knowledgeable therapist can make personalized plans for those with ADHD, as well as teaching effective ways to organize schedules, manage time, and improve other areas of executive functioning.