Does Adderall Come In A Liquid Dosage Form?
In our latest question and answer, the pharmacist discusses the available dosage forms for Adderall and related stimulant medications.
I am wondering if you can get Adderall in a liquid form. I have trouble with tablets and capsules.
Jun 20, 2022- Adderall as a brand name combination is not available in a liquid form, though similar stimulant medications like dextroamphetamine solution and methylphenidate solution are available as liquids. Some compounding pharmacies can create a custom liquid version of Adderall if needed, though insurance coverage for compounded medications varies. If you need a liquid stimulant medication, talk to your pharmacist about alternatives like Dyanavel XR or other liquid options that contain similar active ingredients.
Hello and thank you for your question!
First and foremost, I want to point out that Adderall is a combination of four different types of amphetamines (Dextroamphetamine Saccharate, Amphetamine Aspartate, Dextroamphetamine Sulfate and Amphetamine Sulfate Tablets), and this specific combination is not available in a liquid dosage form.
However, there are liquid dosage forms of other amphetamines and related stimulant drugs (such as methylphenidate, the drug in the brand name Ritalin).
So, to specifically answer your question, Adderall does not come as a liquid, but there are plenty of similar drugs in a liquid dosage form.
I do want to note that some compounding pharmacies can make a compounded liquid Adderall, and I discuss that more in the sections below.
Stimulants Available As A Liquid
As mentioned, Adderall is a combination of several different amphetamines, and there is no liquid version of that.
There are similar liquid options, which include:
- Dyanavel XR (amphetamine) suspension
- Dextroamphetamine solution
- Methylphenidate solution
- ProCentra (methylphenidate solution)
- Quillivant XR (methylphenidate extended-release) suspension
The closest two products to Adderall are the dextroamphetamine solution and Dyanavel XR.
Dyanavel XR is a liquid product that just contains amphetamine. It comes in a concentration of amphetamine 2.5mg/mL and is an extended-release product.
Liquid dextroamphetamine product, which is immediate-release, comes in a concentration of 5mg/5mL.
These two products, while they aren't exactly the same as Adderall, at least contain some of its components.
Additionally, methylphenidate, which is a stimulant similar to what is contained in Adderall, is also available in several different liquid forms. It is the ingredient in the brand-name drug Ritalin.
There are two 'immediate-release' products, available in a 5mg/5mL solution, and a 10mg/5mL solution.
There is also a fairly new brand name-only drug on the market known as Quillivant XR, which is an extended-release methylphenidate suspension.
Other Alternatives
In addition to the liquid dosage forms I've mentioned above, there are many other drugs you can consider if you are looking to avoid tablets or capsules.
These options include:
- QuilliChew ER: Extended-release methylphenidate chew tablet
- Vyvanse Chew: Extended-release lisdexamfetamine chew tablet
- Evekeo ODT: Orally disintegrating amphetamine sulfate tablet
- Cotempla-XR: Orally disintegrating methylphenidate tablet
- Daytrana: Extended-release methylphenidate patch
Finally, another alternative is to find a compounding pharmacy to make a compounded liquid Adderall. One study found that one form of a compounded liquid Adderall suspension, in a strength of 1mg/mL, was stable for 30 days.
It is important to note however, that insurance coverage for compounded medications can vary greatly depending on the insurance plan you have, so be sure to talk to your pharmacist about your options if you can't use one of the other alternatives I mentioned.
Final Words
Thanks again for reaching out and I hope this answer helped!
References & sources
- Adderall Prescribing Information — AccessFDA
- Amphetamine Monograph — PubChem
- ClinicalKey Drug Monographs — ClinicalKey (Subscription Required)
Glossary — Terms in This Answer
- Amphetamines
- A class of stimulant medications that increase alertness and focus by affecting brain chemicals.
- Dosage form
- The physical shape and delivery method of a medication, such as tablets, liquids, or patches.
- Methylphenidate
- A stimulant medication similar to amphetamine, commonly known by the brand name Ritalin.
- Extended-release
- A medication formulation designed to slowly release the drug over several hours instead of all at once.
- Immediate-release
- A medication that dissolves and enters the bloodstream quickly, providing rapid effects.
- Suspension
- A liquid medication form where solid particles are mixed throughout the liquid and must be shaken before use.
- Compounding pharmacy
- A pharmacy that custom-prepares medications by mixing ingredients to create personalized formulations for individual patients.
- Orally disintegrating
- A tablet that dissolves quickly in the mouth without needing to be swallowed whole with water.
Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD
Doctor of Pharmacy, board certified clinical pharmacist (BCPS), American Herbalist Guild, Medication Therapy Management certified
Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS, is a licensed pharmacist with more than 13 years of experience across retail pharmacy, clinical pharmacy, medication safety, pharmacy program development, and healthcare administration. He is the founder of HelloPharmacist.com, where he helps patients...
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