Adderall contains a mixture of four amphetamine salts: dextroamphetamine saccharate, amphetamine aspartate, dextroamphetamine sulfate, and amphetamine sulfate. These four salts combine two forms of amphetamine (dextroamphetamine and levoamphetamine) in a roughly 3:1 ratio favoring the dextro form, which is considered the more potent of the two. Beyond these active ingredients, the tablet or capsule contains a handful of inactive ingredients that hold the pill together, control how it dissolves, and give it its color.
The Four Active Amphetamine Salts
Amphetamine exists in two mirror-image molecular forms, sometimes called the “right-handed” (dextro) and “left-handed” (levo) versions. They both increase levels of dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain, but dextroamphetamine is roughly twice as strong at boosting dopamine, which is the chemical most tied to focus and motivation. Levoamphetamine contributes more to norepinephrine activity, which affects alertness and physical energy.
Rather than using pure dextroamphetamine or pure levoamphetamine, Adderall pairs each form with two different salt compounds (saccharate and sulfate for dextroamphetamine, aspartate and sulfate for levoamphetamine). These different salts dissolve at slightly different rates, which helps smooth out how the drug enters your bloodstream. The result is a blend where about 75% of the amphetamine content is the dextro form and 25% is the levo form.
Inactive Ingredients in Immediate-Release Tablets
The immediate-release (IR) version of Adderall is a small, round tablet designed to dissolve quickly in the stomach. According to the DailyMed listing, the inactive ingredients include colloidal silicon dioxide, compressible sugar (a combination of sucrose and maltodextrin), corn starch, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, and saccharin sodium.
Each of these serves a specific manufacturing purpose. Microcrystalline cellulose and corn starch act as fillers and binders that give the tablet its structure. Magnesium stearate is a lubricant that prevents the powder from sticking to machinery during production. Colloidal silicon dioxide keeps the ingredients from clumping. Compressible sugar and saccharin sodium contribute a mildly sweet taste.
The tablets also contain color additives that vary by dose. The 5 mg tablet is white and contains no dyes. The 7.5 mg and 10 mg tablets contain FD&C Blue #1 Aluminum Lake, giving them a blue tint. The 12.5 mg, 15 mg, 20 mg, and 30 mg tablets contain FD&C Yellow #6 Aluminum Lake, which makes them peach or orange.
Inactive Ingredients in Extended-Release Capsules
Adderall XR capsules use a more complex design. Each capsule contains two types of tiny drug-coated beads: one set that releases immediately and a second set with a special coating that delays release by several hours. This two-stage system is what makes the extended-release version last longer without needing a second dose.
The inactive ingredients reflect that more complex structure. The capsules contain gelatin (for the outer shell), hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, methacrylic acid copolymer (the delayed-release coating), sugar spheres (the core of each bead), talc, triethyl citrate, and a coloring blend called Opadry beige. The gelatin capsule shells themselves contain edible inks, kosher gelatin, and titanium dioxide.
Color additives differ by strength here as well. The 5 mg, 10 mg, and 15 mg capsules contain FD&C Blue #2. The 20 mg, 25 mg, and 30 mg capsules use red iron oxide and yellow iron oxide instead.
Why Inactive Ingredients Matter
Most people will never notice the inactive ingredients, but they can matter if you have allergies or sensitivities. The IR tablets contain corn starch, which is typically safe for people with corn allergies in such small amounts but occasionally causes reactions. The compressible sugar contains sucrose, worth knowing if you track sugar intake closely. Some formulations list lactitol, a sugar alcohol derived from lactose, though it’s present in very small quantities.
FD&C dyes are a common concern for parents of children taking Adderall for ADHD. If you want to avoid artificial dyes entirely, the 5 mg IR tablet is the only strength that contains none. For the XR capsules, the higher-dose versions (20 mg and above) use iron oxide pigments rather than synthetic FD&C dyes, which some families prefer.
Generic versions of Adderall may use different inactive ingredients than the brand-name product. The active amphetamine salts will be the same, but fillers, binders, and dyes can vary by manufacturer. If you notice a difference in how a new generic feels or if you develop a new reaction after switching, the inactive ingredients are the most likely explanation.
Controlled Substance Classification
Because of its amphetamine content, Adderall is classified as a Schedule II controlled substance by the DEA. This is the most restrictive category for drugs that have accepted medical uses. Schedule II substances are defined as having a high potential for abuse that may lead to severe psychological or physical dependence. In practical terms, this means prescriptions cannot include refills, and many states require a new written or electronic prescription each month.