How To Identify Adderall Pills | What Does Adderall Look Like?

Adderall is the brand name for a combination of various amphetamine salts including amphetamine sulfate and dextroamphetamine sulfate. 

The prescription stimulant is primarily used to treat attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and narcolepsy, but it’s also a drug that is often abused as well.

When bought off the street, it can be difficult to know if what you’re getting is actually Adderall or if it’s a counterfeit. 

Obtaining Adderall through a prescription from your healthcare providers is the best way to know whether the drug is legitimate, but there are also some traits you can look out for to identify real Adderall pills.

What Does Immediate-Release Adderall Look Like?

Adderall pills come in two formulations: immediate-release and extended-release. The immediate-release variety can come in many colors, shapes, and dosages. What it looks like depends on who manufactures the drug.

Orange

There are a number of Adderall pills that are orange in color and they can range in dose from 15 to 20 and 30 mg. They are usually round in shape but they can be oval as well.

The imprint on each pill depends on what manufacturer made the drug, but some of the imprints may include:

• AD 30
• AD 20
• AD 15
• E401
• U30

Peach

There are also quite a few peach Adderall pills. They are usually round or oval in shape and come in 12.5 mg, 15 mg, 20 mg, and 30 mg dosages.

The imprints you might find on this type of Adderall pill can include:

• N 955
• dp 30
• dp 12.5
• dp 15
• dp 20
• b 973

Blue

Adderall can also come as a blue pill and it’s likely either round or oval in shape. Blue Adderall pills typically come in a 7.5 or 10 mg dose.

As for the imprints on these pills, you can look for the following:

• AD 10
• dp 7.5
• dp 10
• AD 7.5

White

White Adderall pills typically only come as 5 mg round tablets and they will either have “dp 5” or “AD 5” imprinted on each pill.

Pink

You can also find Adderall as a pink tablet that is 20 mg, round in shape, and has “cor 135” imprinted on it.

What Does Extended-Release Adderall Look Like?

Adderall XR allows you to take fewer daily pills as the drug is released slowly throughout the day. While the colors and shapes don’t differ as much as they do with the immediate-release formulation, the extended-release version can look different depending on the dose and the manufacturer.

Orange

A few varieties of Adderall XR are orange or orange and white capsules. You can find them in a few different doses including 20 mg, 25 mg, and 30 mg.

The imprints on the orange Adderall XR tablets show the manufacturer (Shire or Adderall) and the dose (20, 25, or 30 mg). The imprints can include: 

• ADDERALL XR 30 mg
• ADDERALL XR 20 mg
• ADDERALL XR 25 mg
• SHIRE 381 20 mg
• SHIRE 381 30 mg

Blue

The extended-release version of Adderall also comes as a blue or blue and white capsule and can be found in 10 mg or 15 mg doses.

The imprints on these pills can include the following:

• ADDERALL XR 10 mg
• SHIRE 381 10 mg
• ADDERALL XR 15 mg

Adderall Uses, Side Effects, & Abuse Potential

Adderall is primarily used to treat the symptoms of ADHD and narcolepsy. 

As a central nervous system stimulant, it does this by increasing the activity in the brain and increasing the levels of the neurotransmitters dopamine and norepinephrine. This helps with the ability to focus and helps those with narcolepsy stay awake.

Side Effects Of Adderall

Whether you abuse Adderall or take it as directed, the use of Adderall can come with quite a few side effects. They can range in intensity from mild to severe and some are more common than others.

The most common side effects can include:

• nervousness
• headache
• dry mouth
• constipation
• diarrhea
• increase in heart rate
• high blood pressure
• nausea
• weight loss

Adderall can also produce more serious side effects like psychosis, heart attack, and even sudden death. It’s why those with pre-existing heart problems and certain mental health disorders may not be prescribed the prescription drug.

Adderall Abuse Potential

Adderall is classified as a Schedule II controlled substance by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). This means it has a high potential for abuse and can lead to psychological and physical dependence and addiction.

Despite it having legitimate medical use, Adderall can be very dangerous when it’s misused.

If you or a loved one lives with Adderall addiction, contact Ohio Recovery Center for information on our detox and inpatient treatment programs.