How to get Adderall over the counter

In this article:

• Can you get Adderall over the counter?
• Why is a professional diagnosis necessary?
• Legal and safety issues of OTC Adderall
• What is the closest thing to Adderall over the counter?

In this article

• Can you get Adderall over the counter?
• Why is a professional diagnosis necessary?
• Legal and safety issues of OTC Adderall
• What is the closest thing to Adderall over the counter?

Adderall is a prescription medication that contains the active ingredients amphetamine and dextroamphetamine. It is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adults and children 3 years and older. Adderall can also be used to treat narcolepsy in adults and children 6 years and older. Sometimes, healthcare professionals may prescribe Adderall for off-label uses (uses that the FDA disapproves), such as for depression that has not responded to other medication or for people with multiple sclerosis to help with fatigue and mental alertness. 

For various reasons, such as the ongoing shortage of Adderall, Adderall XR (the extended-release formulation of Adderall), and other ADHD medications, people may want to know if they can purchase Adderall over the counter. Adderall is not available over the counter, but if you cannot get Adderall, there are some other alternatives you can consider.

RELATED: Adderall alternatives: What can I take instead of Adderall?

Can you get Adderall over the counter?

Adderall is a central nervous system stimulant. It works by increasing levels of dopamine and norepinephrine (chemical messengers) in the brain, which helps with symptoms of ADHD or narcolepsy. 

Adderall is classified by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) as a Schedule II drug. This means it is considered potentially dangerous and has the risk of abuse, misuse, and dependence. Other stimulants, such as the prescription ADHD medications Ritalin and Focalin, also fall into the Schedule II category. 

Because these Schedule II drugs are considered dangerous and have many risks, they are not available over the counter. All stimulant medications (and non-stimulant medications) for ADHD are only available by prescription and cannot be found over the counter. 

RELATED: What you should know about prescription Adderall

Why is a professional diagnosis necessary?

Because all ADHD medications require a prescription, some individuals may wonder if they can skip the doctor and share medication with a friend who has a prescription for Adderall, especially if they have similar symptoms or need help staying awake to study. This can be very dangerous—and in the worst-case scenario, it could even cause death.

Adderall is associated with physical side effects, which can be dangerous. These severe side effects may include high blood pressure and heart rate, stroke, heart attack, and sudden death, among others. Combined with its classification as a Schedule II drug and its risks for abuse, misuse, and dependence, it is very important that patients who take Adderall (or any stimulant) be professionally diagnosed with ADHD or narcolepsy. Patients will also be closely monitored during treatment with Adderall. 

What’s more, Adderall is just one part of a treatment plan that may include cognitive-behavioral therapy as well as work or educational interventions. A medical professional can coordinate this treatment plan to ensure the patient gets the best treatment for their condition.

RELATED: How long does Adderall stay in your system?

Legal and safety issues of OTC Adderall

It is not safe to self-medicate with stimulants. As discussed above, Adderall is a strictly regulated Schedule II controlled substance drug that is only available by prescription from a licensed healthcare provider. Federal and state laws prohibit sharing controlled substance prescription drugs. What’s more, individuals who are prescribed Adderall should only get the medication from a licensed pharmacy. Taking medication from someone else could result in many serious problems, such as addiction, dependence (when your body needs the medication to function), or even sudden death. 

Students, often college students, may attempt to use stimulants like Adderall as a “study drug” without a prescription. These “study drugs” are prescription stimulants that are either used without a prescription or not as prescribed in an attempt to help with focus and energy. However, research has found that doing so does not improve academic performance and can cause many dangerous problems, such as:

• Risk of accidental overdose from counterfeit pills containing unknown ingredients
• Increased anxiety
• Nausea and other stomach problems
• Rise of seizures and heart problems such as heart attack or stroke
• Irritability
• Fatigue due to lack of sleep
• Addiction and dependence

Suppose you do not have a diagnosis and prescription, rather than trying a potentially dangerous stimulant. In that case, you may want to try some of these lifestyle changes to help you study and prepare for exams:

• Plan to study when you are most alert
• Get help from your instructors if needed
• Minimize distractions while studying, such as putting your phone on do not disturb mode
• Take short breaks
• Get at least 7 hours of sleep each night. If you feel tired during the day, take a short nap. Sleep helps mood, memory, alertness, and motivation.
• Break up work into smaller, more manageable chunks to feel less overwhelmed.
• Stay organized by gathering all your supplies for your study space.
• Eat a balanced diet. Have regular meals and drink plenty of water throughout the day to help keep up your energy.

What is the closest thing to Adderall over the counter?

According to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH), many complementary approaches (including supplements, acupuncture, and meditation) have been studied. Still, no natural alternatives are more effective than the standard therapy. Some natural remedies that have been studied for ADHD include:

• Pycnogenol: Also known as French Maritime Pine Bark Extract, this supplement has seemed promising in some small studies. However, the NCCIH has found that research is limited, and pycnogenol has not been shown to improve ADHD symptoms.
• Ginkgo biloba: This supplement is often used for memory. Some small studies have seemed promising regarding its use for ADHD. However, as with pycnogenol, the NCCIH notes that research is limited, and ginkgo biloba has not been shown to improve ADHD symptoms. There are also safety precautions and potential drug interactions to consider.
• L-theanine: One small study found that l-theanine, an amino acid in green tea, may help with attention and memory. Some studies have noted that it may be useful with caffeine; however, the NCCIH has not found any natural alternative to be better than standard therapy.
• Caffeine: The NCCIH notes that some evidence suggests high doses of caffeine may modestly improve ADHD symptoms. However, high doses of caffeine are not recommended in children, and low doses are not effective in children. What’s more, caffeine can cause insomnia in people of any age. 

Something interesting to note is that a 2014 study found little evidence for vitamin or supplement use in ADHD. However, some individuals with ADHD may have low levels of vitamins and minerals, such as vitamin D, B6, iron, magnesium, and zinc. Although low levels of these vitamins and minerals do not lead to ADHD, if there is a deficiency in one or more vitamins or minerals, adding a supplement in combination with other treatments may be helpful—not as a substitute. Moreover, some experts suggest vitamin B6 may be the closest and most effective OTC Adderall alternative. 

Consult your healthcare provider before trying a natural Adderall alternative, such as a dietary supplement, even if it claims to have natural ingredients. Your healthcare provider will need to make sure it is safe for you to take, taking into account individual factors such as your medical conditions and other medications you take.