How to Get an Adderall Prescription

Co-authored by Padam Bhatia, MD and Janice Tieperman

Last Updated: August 20, 2024 Fact Checked

If you’ve been diagnosed with ADHD or you think you have ADHD, you may have thought about taking Adderall before. This stimulant can improve focus, make you be more organized, and lower your hyperactivity levels that stem from ADHD. To start taking Adderall, first you’ll need a prescription.

Here are 10 tips to help you get an Adderall prescription from a doctor.

1

Write out a list of your symptoms.

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Be prepared for when you go and visit a doctor. If you think you have ADHD, you might experience some or all of these symptoms on a daily basis. ADHD is different for everyone, but common symptoms include:^{[1]
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- Having a short attention span
- Making many thoughtless mistakes
- Being forgetful or losing things often
- Having trouble sticking with tasks for a long period of time
- Having difficulty sitting still
- Excessive talking or physical movement
- A decreased or nonexistent sense of danger
- Acting impulsively

2

Make an appointment with your doctor.

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Your regular doctor can give you a prescription. If you have a psychiatrist, you can also make an appointment with them instead. Set up the appointment to talk about your ADHD symptoms to make sure you discuss a prescription medication.^{[2]
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- A doctor won’t be able to counsel you like a psychiatrist will, but they can prescribe you medication.

3

Describe your symptoms and provide examples.

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Talk about any concerns you have about your symptoms. Explain how they affect your daily life and how often you have them. Really reiterate how much your memory, attention span, and focus make it hard to do your schoolwork or job.^{[3]
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- Always be honest, and try to be as thorough as possible when talking to your doctor or psychiatrist. The more you open up about your symptoms, the more they can help you.

4

Answer your doctor’s questions truthfully.

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They may have questions about your symptoms. If you have any trouble remembering something, defer back to your list of symptoms that you wrote out earlier. You might have to answer questions about your memory, your hyperactivity levels, or your impulsivity.^{[4]
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- Don’t exaggerate, but don’t play it down, either.

5

Tell your doctor that you’re open to medication.

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Some people don’t want to treat ADHD with medication. However, if you’d like to try Adderall as a treatment, tell your healthcare professional that. Based on your symptoms, they might recommend that you try a different medication or stick to therapy for now.^{[5]
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- Other ADHD medications include Ritalin, Concerta, Vyvanse, and Dexedrine.^{[6]
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- You’ll also need to tell your doctor about any other prescriptions you’re taking and if you have a history of substance abuse.

6

Follow the dosage that your doctor prescribes.

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It’s important not to abuse Adderall if you get a prescription for it. Take the dose that your doctor prescribes, and try to monitor your symptoms throughout the day. The amount you take depends on your age, weight, medical history, and the type of medication you’re taking.^{[7]
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- If you are prescribed long-acting Adderall, or Adderall XR, you will probably only need to take 1 pill per day.^{[8]
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- If you are prescribed standard Adderall, you may need to take 2 pills per day.^{[9]
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7

Monitor your side effects during the trial period.

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All ADHD medication comes with a range of side effects. When you take Adderall, you might experience loss of appetite, insomnia, dizziness, headaches, stomach issues, or mood changes. These side effects may get better as you stay on the medication, but it’s important to tell your doctor about them.^{[10]
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- If you experience any severe side effects like muscle weakness, panic attacks, hypertension, or psychosis, call your doctor right away.^{[11]
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8

Make a follow-up appointment to discuss your progress.

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Make the appointment about a month from your start date. After about a month or so, you should be able to tell if Adderall is improving your day-to-day life. You can talk about your focus, attention span, ability to concentrate, and hyperactivity levels.^{[12]
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- It might be helpful to keep a journal or a diary about your symptoms.

9

Work with your doctor to adjust the dose as needed.

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Adderall is not a one-size-fits-all medication. You might need to up your dosage, lower your dosage, or switch to a different medication entirely. Always talk to your doctor before stopping Adderall so you can do it safely, and follow their prescriptions exactly.^{[13]
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- Going cold turkey off Adderall can cause health problems like tremors, headaches, and having suicidal thoughts. Always talk to your doctor before stopping a prescription medication.^{[14]
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10

Visit your doctor every month for a new prescription.

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Adderall is a controlled substance, so you won’t get automatic refills. You will most likely need to visit your doctor every 30 days to talk about your symptoms and your dose levels. Some insurance companies let you do 90-day refills through the mail, but it depends on your healthcare provider.^{[15]
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- You may be able to see your doctor via a video visit or over the phone.

Expert Q&A

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Question

When can my teenager stop taking their adderall?

Padam Bhatia, MD
Board Certified Psychiatrist
Dr. Padam Bhatia is a board certified Psychiatrist who runs Elevate Psychiatry, based in Miami, Florida. He specializes in treating patients with a combination of traditional medicine and evidence-based holistic therapies. He also specializes in electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS), compassionate use, and complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). Dr. Bhatia is a diplomat of the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology and a Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association (FAPA). He received an MD from Sidney Kimmel Medical College and has served as the chief resident in adult psychiatry at Zucker Hillside Hospital in New York.

Padam Bhatia, MD

Board Certified Psychiatrist

Expert Answer

It really depends on their individual treatment plan and how your teen is managing their condition. Whatever you do, talk to your teen's doctor or psychiatrist before you change or stop their medication. You typically need to be tapered off of psychiatric medication over time, which requires the help of your teen's treatment team.

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Warnings

Never purchase Adderall online or from someone who is not a doctor. Unregulated Adderall can be dangerous, and you should never take a prescription medication without a doctor’s approval.^{[16]
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Adderall contains amphetamine, which can be habit-forming. If you are worried about your Adderall consumption, talk to your doctor.^{[17]
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