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What Does Adderall Look Like?

Medically Verified: 2/1/24

Medical Reviewer

Chief Editor

All of the information on this page has been reviewed and verified by a certified addiction professional.

Adderall is a prescription medication used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Because this medication is a stimulant narcotic, it can be an extremely habit-forming drug when it is abused.

When someone takes Adderall for their ADHD, their focus, concentration, and self-control improve. However, if an individual without ADHD takes Adderall, they may feel high. An Adderall high is characterized by euphoria, extreme bouts of energy, and inflated self-confidence.

Because Adderall is a popular drug of abuse, people have begun selling them on the street. Some individuals make counterfeit Adderall pills – oftentimes pressing the pills with dangerous substances like fentanyl.

To avoid accidental overdoses, it is important for individuals who struggle with addiction and their families to know what Adderall looks like and how to identify fake pills.

What Do Adderall Pills Look Like?

There are a wide variety of Adderall pills in the market, coming in many different colors, shapes, and strengths. At the same time, different manufacturers make generic Adderall in similar doses, but with different colors, shapes, and markings.

On the street, Adderall may be referred to by a variety of nicknames. Some of these include:

  • Addys
  • Study buddies
  • Bennies
  • Copilots
  • Smart pills
  • Speed
  • Uppers
  • Zing
  • Dexies or red dexies
  • Pep pills or red pep
  • Blue pills
  • Black beauties
  • Truck drivers

Let’s take a look at the different variations of what Adderall pills look like.

5 mg Adderall

The lowest dosage available is a 5 mg pill. The 5 mg Adderall pills are usually circular and white. These have “AD” printed on one side and a “5” on the other.

Generic 5mg Adderall pills look similar, also being white and circular. However, they will have “DP” printed on one side with a “5” on the other.

7.5 mg Adderall

Most 7.5 mg pills are oval-shaped and blue. These have “AD” printed on one side and “7.5” on the other.

Generic 7.5 mg Adderall is also blue and oval-shaped. The only difference is one side has “DP” imprinted on it instead of “AD”.

10 mg Adderall

The 10 mg name-brand Adderall pills are blue pills and circular. These have an “AD” printed on one side with a “10” on the other.

Generic 10 mg pills are also blue and round. These have a “DP” printed on one side with a “10” on the other.

12.5 mg Adderall

The 12.5 mg Adderall pills are peach-colored and round. On one side they will be printed with an “AD” and the other will say “12.5”.

Generic 12.5 mg pills are also peach-colored and round. These may have “DP” printed on one side and “12.5” on the other.

15 mg Adderall

15 mg Adderall pills are light orange and pinkish in color. These pills are oval-shaped.

The name-brand 15 mg pills will have an “AD” on one side and a “15” on the other. Generic 15 mg pills will have a “DP” instead of an “AD”.

20 mg Adderall

The 20 mg Adderall pills are the same orange-ish color as the 15mg pills. However, the 20mg pills are circular instead of oval-shaped.

The name brand 20 mg pill will have an “AD” on one side and a “20” on the other. Generic 20 mg Adderall will have a “DP” instead of an “AD”.

30 mg Adderall

30 mg Adderall pills are the most sought after, as they are the strongest pills available. Because of this, 30 mg pills may be manufactured illicitly more often than others.

The name-brand 30 mg pill is a light orange, circular pill with “AD” on one side and “30” on the other. Generic 30 mg pills are a darker orange, circular, and have “DP” on one side with a “30” on the other.

Extended-Release (XR) Adderall

Extended-release Adderall pills are usually in capsule shape rather than tablets. Sometimes these pills are clear, allowing you to see what looks like balls or pellets inside of the pill.

The different XR Adderall pills include:

  • 5 mg blue and clear capsule
  • 10 mg blue capsule
  • 15 mg blue and white capsule
  • 20 mg orange capsule
  • 25 mg orange and white capsule
  • 30 mg orange capsule

Half of the Adderall XR capsules will be opaque and the other will be transparent. Nambe-brand Adderall XR pills will have the entire word “Adderall” written on the translucent side and the dose printed on the opaque side.

How Can You Identify Fake Adderall Pills?

There are an array of fake prescription pills circling the street. Some individuals have reported Adderall pills containing fentanyl, while others have found the pills to contain methamphetamine. Either way, taking these counterfeit pills is extremely dangerous.

The most common fake Adderall medications are currently being sold online. There has been a shortage of name-brand Adderall as of recently, causing many people to search for the drug in different places. Unfortunately, the Adderall being sold online is fake and can be highly dangerous.

These fake Adderall pills include tramadol and acetaminophen. The pills are unlabeled, meaning there is no “AD” or “DP” marking on them to help identify that the pill is legitimate. Additionally, the fake pills come in a blister pack, while real Adderall comes in a prescription bottle.

Lastly, real Adderall has a national drug code (NDC) number to identify them. The fake pills often misspell this and print an “NDS” number. Additionally, amphetamine aspartate may be misspelled on the ingredient list as “amphetamine aspertrte”.

Find Help for Adderall Abuse and Addiction Today

If you or a loved one suffer from Adderall addiction, professional treatment can help. Abusing Adderall or any kind of prescription medication has become extremely dangerous with the rise of counterfeit pills containing fentanyl and other drugs like methamphetamine.

Carolina Recovery Center can provide you with the help you need to maintain long-term sobriety and happiness. Contact us today to get started!

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