Simple and Practical Mental Health

The BEST resource for mental health clinicians

  • REVIEWS
  • MENUS
  • RESOURCES
    • Side effect handouts
    • Patient handouts: Main page
    • How to find treatment resources
    • Rating scales and questionnaires for mental health clinicians
    • BEST books
    • BEST apps/ websites
  • NEWS
  • QUESTIONS?
  • DAILY EMAILS
  • FAQ
  • LOG IN
  • JOIN

Mixed amphetamine salts (Adderall® or Adderall XR®): Basic Information

Mixed amphetamine salts (Adderall® brand has been discontinued but is available as a generic; Adderall XR®  brand name and generic) is a formulation of amphetamine that contains 2 amphetamine salts and 2 dextroamphetamine salts. That’s why the product is called “mixed” amphetamine salts, often abbreviated as “MAS”.

On this page, we will provide basic information about this medication. Links to other articles on this website with more advanced information and tips related to this medication and related topics are provided below—under Related Pages below.


What are “mixed amphetamine salts”?

This preparation contains a mixture of four different salts of amphetamine: amphetamine aspartate monohydrate, amphetamine sulfate, dextroamphetamine saccharate, dextroamphetamine sulfate.

Since amphetamine aspartate monohydrate and amphetamine sulfate are racemic amphetamine, they contain about 50% dextroamphetamine. Thus, overall, mixed amphetamine salts contains 75% dextroamphetamine and 25% levoamphetamine.


Mixed amphetamine salts (generic)

FDA-approved indications

1. ADHD (Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder)

2. Narcolepsy


Dosage

A. ADHD

Children (ages 3-5)

Initial: 2.5 mg daily
Titration: 2.5 mg weekly increments until clinical response

Children (ages 6 years or older)

Initial: 5 mg once or twice daily
Titration: 5 mg weekly increments until clinical response
Maximum: 40 mg per day in 2 to 3 divided doses with the first dose given on waking up and rest at intervals of 4 to 6 hours. The Prescribing Information notes: “Only in rare cases will it be necessary to exceed a total of 40 mg per day.”

B. Narcolepsy

Children (ages 6 to 12 years)

Initial: 5 mg daily
Titration: 5 mg weekly increments until clinical response

Children and Adults (≥ 12 years)

Initial: 10 mg per day
Titration: 10 mg weekly increments until clinical response. Reduce dosage in case of adverse effects.

May be given in 2 to 3 divided doses with the first dose given on waking up and rest at intervals of 4 to 6 hours.


Dosage forms and strengths

Tablets (generic): 5 mg, 7.5 mg, 10 mg, 12.5 mg, 15 mg, 20 mg, and 30 mg

These doses of mixed amphetamine salts are approximately equivalent to the following mg of amphetamine base: 3 mg, 5 mg, 6 mg, 8 mg, 9.5 mg, 12.5 mg, and 19 mg.

Please refer to Prescribing Information (see link below) for a complete discussion of dosage, administration, warnings and precautions, contraindications, etc.


Mixed amphetamine salts extended-release (Adderall XR®)

FDA-approved indications

Treatment of ADHD in children, adolescents, and adults


Dosage

Children (ages 6-12) 

Initial: 10 mg once daily in the morning
Titration: 5 mg or 10 mg weekly increments
Maximum: 30 mg once daily in the morning

Adolescents(ages 13-17)

Initial: 10 mg once daily in the morning
Increase to 20 mg after 1 week

Adults 

20 mg once daily in the morning

Note: The capsules may be opened and contents may be sprinkled over applesauce and consumed immediately.


Dosage forms and strengths

Extended-release capsules: 5 mg, 10 mg, 15 mg, 20 mg, 25 mg, and 30 mg


Please refer to Prescribing Information (see link below) for a complete discussion of dosage, administration, warnings and precautions, contraindications, etc.


Related Pages

Amphetamine preparations: Index and links

Pros and cons of dextroamphetamine versus levoamphetamine.

Eight tips for reducing the risk of  abuse/diversion of stimulants

Ketogenic diet and amphetamines

Vitamin C if on a stimulant?

Does lisdexamfetamine really have lower abuse potential? 

Converting from OROS methylphenidate to amphetamine is a two-step process

Amphetamine (Dynavel-XR®) extended-release oral suspension: Basic information

Amphetamine extended-release orally disintegrating tablets (Adzenys XR-ODT): Basic information

What is the maximum dose of mixed amphetamine salts?

Do psychostimulant medications cause clinically-significant increases in blood pressure?

How exactly should blood pressure be monitored in persons on stimulants

How to manage stimulant-induced hypertension

Dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine®): Basic Information

Lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse®): Basic Information

Mixed amphetamine salts (Adderall®, Adderall XR®): Basic Information

Mixed salts of a single-entity amphetamine product (Mydayis®): Basic information

Triple-bead preparation of mixed amphetamine salts (Mydayis®)


How are methylphenidate and amphetamines metabolized?

A dozen tips to manage loss of appetite due to a stimulant (in adults)

Converting stimulants: Equivalent doses

Combine a stimulant and atomoxetine?

Pros and cons of short-acting preparations of psychostimulants

Tips for managing abuse potential of medications for ADHD

Stimulant medications and irritability in children with ADHD

Stimulants for ADHD with a history of a substance use disorder?

What if you refuse an early refill of a stimulant medication?

What to look for in stimulant withdrawal (including a physical sign that is little known)

Stimulant “holidays” (breaks) in adults with ADHD?

How to get full-day coverage with stimulants

Be careful if a person is on both a stimulant and an antipsychotic

What could happen when changing from an antipsychotic to a stimulant?

Can psychostimulant medications cause or worsen Raynaud’s phenomenon?

Can a dopamine agonist (pramipexole, ropinirole) and a stimulant be combined?

Laws about prescriptions for psychostimulants

Are stimulants useful after traumatic brain injury?


References

Mixed salts of amphetamine (Adderall®) Prescribing Information

Mixed salts of amphetamine extended-release (Adderall XR®) Prescribing Information


Copyright 2016 to 2022, Simple and Practical Medical Education, LLC. All rights reserved. May not be reproduced in any form without express written permission.

Disclaimer: The content on this website is provided as general education for medical professionals. It is not intended or recommended for patients or other laypersons, or as a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Patients must always consult a qualified health care professional regarding their diagnosis and treatment. Healthcare professionals should always check this website for the most recently updated information.

Share this:

  • Tweet
  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email

Comments

  1. Stacie Olson says

    March 26, 2022 at 11:31 am

    I have a patient who started on methylphenidate (Ritalin) and became sedated. Is this typically a metabolizing issue with the medication? The patient had some sedation with mixed amphetamine salts (Adderall), but not as significant as with methylphenidate (Ritalin).

    Reply
    • Rajnish Mago, MD says

      March 31, 2022 at 5:41 pm

      Hi Dr. Olson. I have now written a short article about stimulant-induced sleepiness/ sedation and made some clinical recommendations. Please see the following article on this website: Stimulant medications can sometimes cause somnolence or sedation

      Reply

Leave a Reply:Cancel reply

Follow us on social media

  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter

Copyright 2016 to 2025: Simple and Practical Medical Education, LLC. All rights reserved.