What Does Adderall Look Like? Images, Characteristics, & Types

Adderall is a prescription medication commonly indicated for people with ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) or narcolepsy. [1] It helps with focus, memory, and alertness. Adderall comes in many shapes, sizes, and colors, depending on the dose, type, and whether it’s a branded or generic drug.

Knowing what different Adderall pills look like can help you avoid taking the wrong dose and spot fake versions that could be dangerous. This page explores what Adderall and its generic forms look like, how to tell real Adderall from fake drugs, and how to get compassionate and effective treatment for stimulant addiction.

Images of Adderall

The images of Adderall below can help you identify the different types of Adderall pills. Adderall can vary in appearance depending on the dose, whether it’s an immediate-release or extended-release version, and whether it’s a branded or generic pill. Studying these images can help ensure you take the correct medication and dosage to stay safe and get the most benefit from Adderall.

What Does Adderall Look Like?

Adderall’s appearance varies based on factors including dosage, whether it’s a brand name or generic drug, and the type of formulation. Adderall tablets and capsules come in different shapes and colors depending on their strength. These changes make it easier for people to recognize the dosage by looking at the pill.

In its most common form, Adderall comes as a tablet or a capsule. Instant-release tablets (Adderall IR) are small and round or oval, while extended-release (Adderall XR) capsules are clear and have small beads inside that release the medication over time.

Branded Adderall tablets and capsules usually have AD or XR printed, along with a number indicating the dosage in milligrams. Generic versions can look similar but may be labeled with different imprints, like dp or the manufacturer’s name.

What Does an Adderall Pill Look Like?

Adderall pills come in various shapes and sizes, which makes it easier to identify specific doses. Here’s what Adderall IR pills look like:

• 5mg: Small, round, white pill with AD on one side and 5 on the other.
• 7.5mg: Oval and blue, marked with AD on one side and 7.5 on the other.
• 10mg: Round and blue, with AD on one side and 10 on the other.
• 12.5mg: Peach-colored, round, and marked with AD and 12.5.
• 15mg: Oval and orange, with AD on one side and 15 on the other.
• 20mg: Round and orange, with AD and 20.
• 30mg: Oval and light orange, with AD on one side and 30 on the other.

Extended-release Adderall—Adderall XR—looks different because it is in capsule form. [2] The capsules are two-tone, with half clear and half opaque. The XR versions also include the dosage printed on the capsule, like Adderall XR and 10mg for the 10mg dose of XR.

What Does Generic Adderall Look Like?

Generic Adderall is chemically the same as the branded version but may differ visually. Generic versions are produced by various manufacturers, and each company may use slightly different colors or markings for the pills.

For generic instant-release tablets, you might see letters like dp or the manufacturer’s code instead of AD. Generic pills follow the same color scheme to match the brand version, such as blue for 10mg. There may be slight differences in the shade or size of the pill, though.

A generic 10mg tablet might be blue and round with dp 10 instead of AD 10. Generic 20mg tablets could be orange and round, with the imprint dp 20 rather than AD 20.

Generic Adderall XR capsules also look similar to the brand-name version and often include the manufacturer’s name instead of Adderall XR. They might still feature two-tone coloring, like blue and clear or orange and white, depending on the dosage.

Since generic versions are visually different, you should double-check with your pharmacist if you have any doubts about the appearance of your prescription.

What Color Is Adderall?

The color of Adderall varies by type and dosage. Here are some of the most common colors associated with different doses:

• White: Low-dose Adderall, such as 5mg, is often white.
• Blue: 7.5mg and 10mg Adderall pills are generally blue and may be round or oval.
• Peach: Some strengths like 12.5mg come in a peach color.
• Orange: Higher doses like 15mg, 20mg, and 30mg are commonly orange, with slight variations in shade.

Adderall XR extended-release capsules follow similar color patterns but often feature two colors on the capsule shell. 5mg XR tablets, for instance, may have half that’s blue and one clear half. The 10mg XR capsule may be entirely blue, while 20mg XR capsules are orange with both halves opaque.

Different Adderall Pills

Adderall is available in various forms and doses. [3] The most common types of Adderall are IR (instant-release tablets) and XR (extended-release capsules). Instant-release tablets deliver the full dose of medication immediately, while XR capsules release the dose slowly over time, providing a longer-lasting effect. 

Instant-release tablets are often preferred for quick symptom relief, while XR capsules are taken for all-day support, usually lasting up to 12 hours. Each type of Adderall has different shapes, sizes, and colors to help individuals and healthcare providers identify the dose and release type of the medication.

What Are Common Adderall Pill Colors?

The color of an Adderall pill usually reflects its dosage. Common colors include:

• White: Low doses.
• Blue: Medium doses.
• Peach and orange: High doses.
• Two-toned: Extended-release capsules.

What Does Adderall 30MG Look Like?

Adderall 30mg is among the highest dosages available. In the instant-release form, 30mg tablets are normally light orange and oval-shaped with AD 30 imprinted on one side.

In the XR version, the 30mg capsule is usually orange and clear, showing the small beads inside. One side of the capsule is printed with Adderall XR and the other has the 30mg marking.

What Does Adderall XR Look Like?

Extended-release Adderall XR capsules come in several colors based on their strength. Each XR capsule is filled with tiny beads that release the medication slowly, making it effective over a longer period. XR capsules come in the following forms:

• 5mg: Blue and clear with Adderall XR on one side and 5mg on the other.
• 10mg: All-blue and clear with Adderall XR and 10mg printed on opposite sides.
• 15mg: White and blue with half transparent and 15mg printed.
• 20mg: Entirely orange with Adderall XR with both sides opaque and 20mg printed.
• 30mg: Orange and clear with Adderall XR on the opaque half and 30mg on the clear side.

What Does Adderall 20MG Look Like?

The 20mg dosage of Adderall comes in both instant-release and extended-release forms. Instant-release 20mg tablets are usually round and orange, with AD 20 imprinted on one side. Extended-release 20mg capsules are solid orange with Adderall XR printed on one side and 20mg on the other. The capsule contains beads inside, releasing the dose gradually throughout the day.

What Does Adderall 10MG Look Like?

Adderall 10mg is a popular medium dose that is widely prescribed. Instant-release 10mg tablets are normally round and blue, with AD 10 stamped on one side. Extended-release 10mg capsules are half-blue and half-clear, indicating Adderall XR on the opaque part and 10mg on the other side. This dose is used for moderate symptom relief.

What Does 25MG Adderall Look Like?

Adderall 25mg is available in XR form. The capsules are orange and white, with one side showing Adderall XR and the other side marked with 25mg. This color combination is unique to the 25mg dosage and helps people differentiate it from lower and higher doses.

What Does Teva Adderall Look Like?

Teva Pharmaceuticals manufactures a popular generic version of Adderall that closely resembles the brand-name pill but has some distinct markings. Teva’s instant-release Adderall tablets often use the imprint dp instead of AD and follow the same color scheme:

• 10mg: Blue and round with dp 10.
• 20mg: Orange and round with dp 20.
• 30mg: Light orange, oval-shaped, and marked dp 30.

Teva’s generic Adderall XR capsules are colored to match the standard color coding but include TEVA or similar identifiers instead of Adderall XR.

How To Spot Fake Adderall

Counterfeit Adderall has become increasingly common, especially due to high demand and shortages. [4] Fake Adderall pills may look similar to the real ones but often include dangerous substances like fentanyl. Here are some warning signs to help identify fake Adderall:

• Unusual colors or shapes: If the color or shape looks off from the original, it may be counterfeit.
• Incorrect imprints: Genuine Adderall has specific imprints like AD or XR for brand-name pills. Missing or incorrect imprints are red flags.
• Packaging issues: Adderall should be dispensed in a pharmacy bottle, not a blister pack. Packaging with misspellings or strange fonts could indicate a fake.

Only take Adderall prescribed by a doctor and dispensed by a licensed pharmacy to ensure its authenticity.

The Orange Round Fake Pill

One of the most common fake Adderall pills is a round, orange pill that looks like genuine Adderall but contains unknown or harmful substances. This counterfeit may have no imprint or an incorrect one and could be sold as a 30mg dose. Taking a fake orange pill is risky, as it may contain strong, dangerous ingredients that could cause severe health issues.

Adderall Dangers & Risks

While Adderall is effective for treating ADHD and narcolepsy, it also comes with serious risks, especially if misused or taken without a prescription. These include overdose and addiction.

Misuse & Overdose

Misuse of Adderall, like taking higher doses or using it without a prescription, can lead to overdose. Symptoms of an Adderall overdose include high blood pressure, rapid heart rate, chest pain, seizures, and hallucinations. Severe cases can even be fatal. [5] Mixing Adderall with other stimulants, like caffeine or certain medications, can increase these risks.

Addiction Risk

Adderall has a high potential for abuse, as it boosts energy and focus, which some may use as a study drug or for weight loss. Over time, the body may become dependent, requiring larger doses to feel the same effects. This can lead to addiction, where a person feels unable to function without the drug, despite adverse outcomes in all areas of life. Withdrawal from Adderall can be challenging and often requires medical support.

Get Substance Addiction Treatment at Renaissance Recovery, a Premier Rehab Center in Southern California

If you or someone you care about needs help getting back on track from prescription drug addiction, reach out to Renaissance Recovery.

We treat prescription drug addictions in an outpatient setting at our beachside facilities in California and Florida. This lets you continue at work or school while living at home and getting effective addiction treatment during weekday therapy sessions at Renaissance.

All prescription drug addictions are unique, so all Renaissance treatment plans are personalized to reflect this. Therapies include:

• Talk therapies (CBT and DBT)
• Medication-assisted treatment
• Motivational therapies
• Family therapy
• Group therapy
• Counseling
• Holistic therapies
• Aftercare

Start tackling Adderall addiction right away by calling 866-330-9449.

Sources

[1] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK556103/

[2] https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2004/021303s005lbl.pdf

[3] https://www.drugs.com/adderall.html

[4] https://www.nytimes.com/2024/09/06/well/mind/vyvanse-dea-increase.html

[5] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK470276/