Identifying Counterfeit Adderall and Understanding the Risks
Adderall is commonly prescribed for treating ADHD or narcolepsy. Its stimulant effects make it particularly popular among college students seeking improved focus.
Unfortunately, high demand and a recent nationwide shortage have combined to create significant risks in terms of counterfeit Adderall pills.
These may look like legitimate Adderall pills but often either contain no active ingredients, drugs like methamphetamine, or dangerous fentanyl.
If you do not have a prescription, then the best way to protect yourself is to learn how to tell if Adderall is fake.
Below, our blog will break down more about signs of fake Adderall, the risks, and deciding if it’s time to reach out to Purpose Healing Center for help overcoming stimulant misuse.
What Does Real Adderall Medication Look Like?
The prescription medication Adderall is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for treating narcolepsy and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). The various dosages and manufacturers can change what the real Adderall looks like.
Most commonly, Adderall medication appears in one of these forms:
- 5 mg real Adderall is clear on one side and blue on the other, with “5mg” and “Adderall XR” printed on it.
- 10 mg pills are blue capsules, one-half transparent and the other opaque. Each side has “10mg” and “Adderall XR” printed on it in small lettering.
- Adderall 15mg pills have one solid white half and another transparent blue half. The small lettering on either side says “15mg” and “Adderall XR.”
- Adderall 20mg is a small, round tablet. The orange pill has “20” stamped on one side and either “AD” for brand-name or “dp” for generic brands.
- Adderall 25mg is solid orange on one side and clear on the other, with “25mg” and “Adderall XR” printed on it.
- Adderall 30mg is typically a light orange, dark orange, or peach-colored tablet with an oval shape. It will be printed with “30” on one side and either “dp” or “AD” on the other.
Adderall pills are available in capsules or pressed tablets, with capsules being the extended-release version.
Since the various dosages and manufacturers can change what real Adderall looks like, it is best to ask your pharmacist if you believe you received a counterfeit product. This may also feel safer than approaching a law enforcement officer or organization and asking for testing.
Knowing the Telltale Signs of Fake Adderall Pills
Let’s be clear: fake Adderall pills are not distributed by reputable pharmacies in the US, as least not in any statistically significant numbers.
While the counterfeit medication may mimic authentic Adderall, there are ways to tell that the pill is fake. Awareness of these signs is the first step in protecting yourself against fake Adderall pills.
If you don’t know what authentic Adderall pills look like, look up photos of Adderall using the Internet. Note the shapes, colors, and writing on the pills.
Fake Adderall medication can be off-colored or misshapen. It might have inconsistencies in the color, size, or font. Check for spelling inaccuracies.
If pills are not in legitimate packaging, especially from drug dealers or online pharmacies, they’re likely fake. They might be missing lot sizes, not have an expiration date, or be sold in bottles very different from what you’d get from a doctor or licensed pharmacy.
What is in a Genuine Adderall Pill?
Adderall is a combination of two medications; amphetamine and dextroamphetamine. They increase levels of norepinephrine and dopamine, two important neurotransmitters.
These neurotransmitters play big roles in motivation, attention, focus, and impulse control, areas where people with ADHD struggle.
While Adderall medication can treat ADHD, it has a stimulant effect for people who do not have this condition. It is classified as a Schedule II controlled substance by the Drug Enforcement Administration with growing concern for physical dependence and addiction.
What Substances Are in Fake Adderall?
It’s hard to know what is in fake Adderall pills. In the best-case scenario, there are incorrect medication dosages and other ‘filler’ substances like talcum or even flour.
Unfortunately, counterfeit Adderall pills can also contain narcotics like methamphetamine and fentanyl, contaminants from manufacturing without any kind of quality control, or other unknown or harmful substances that pose significant risks to your health.
What Should I Do If I Take Counterfeit Pills?
The problem with ingesting fake Adderall is the high risk of harmful substances, including fentanyl. If you begin experiencing muscle spasms, slowed breathing, heightened temperature, loss of consciousness, or other symptoms not typically associated with Adderall use, seek medical attention.
There are laws in place to protect individuals seeking treatment after ingesting illegal drugs. Be honest with your treatment team – they have to know the facts to be able to treat you properly.
Considering Adderall Addiction Treatment Options
Prescription stimulant use, especially Adderall, is most common in teenagers, young adults, and college students. If you have a hard time quitting, even after awareness of the dangers of counterfeit pills, you are not alone.
If you’ve been using Adderall for an extended time, you might experience withdrawal symptoms when you quit. Even counterfeit drugs can cause these symptoms if they contain traces of Adderall or other stimulants.
During an addiction treatment program, you’ll work with a healthcare team to manage withdrawal and associated health risks.
How Do I Get Adderall if I Need it and Don’t Have a Prescription?
The only way to be confident that you are not receiving counterfeit Adderall pills is to get them from a pharmacy with a prescription from a healthcare professional.
Even when you trust the person you are buying from, they can unknowingly pass off counterfeit medications as the real thing.
Some people have turned to online pharmacies to fulfill their medication needs. Unfortunately, these online pharmacies sometimes pass off counterfeit medications as real Adderall, putting you at risk. Try these alternatives.
Reach Out to a Mental Healthcare Provider
For people who are struggling with ADHD, a mental health professional may recommend Adderall or other stimulant prescription drugs.
Consistent and appropriate treatment and monitoring by healthcare providers will also have more benefits for treating ADHD without the risk of harmful effects associated with counterfeit versions.
Dual Diagnosis Programs
At Purpose Healing Center, one of our offerings is dual diagnosis for co-occurring substance abuse disorders and mental health disorders. Treating both conditions, rather than one or the other, increases the chance of long-term recovery.
Dual diagnosis is available across all levels of treatment at our facility. Reach out to explore treatment options, so you never have to worry about the risks of ingesting counterfeit pills again.
How Are Counterfeit Adderall Pills Made?
Drug dealers and manufacturers have a single goal when selling fake prescription medication – to turn a greater profit. This is why they continue their illegal activities, despite the legal risks.
Counterfeit pills are made by pressing powdered substances, ranging from harmless household ingredients to dangerous substances like fentanyl, into pill form. These pressed pills may be coated, colored, or engraved to copy Adderall’s appearance.
Where Do Fake Prescription Medications Come From?
The demand for Adderall is much higher than the supply. Pharmaceutical companies only give them to patients with a valid prescription – so where does all the Adderall on the streets come from?
Dealers have numerous sources for Adderall including the black market, accessed through the dark web, apps like Telegram, and other unverified online sources. They may also buy directly from the person manufacturing them or another big-time dealer.
Even when law enforcement agencies take legal action and shut down one counterfeit Adderall operation, another pops up to take its place.
Why Are Counterfeit Drugs Dangerous?
The presence of fentanyl in counterfeit prescription opioid medications has been a problem since the early years of the opioid epidemic but it is one that has only grown in scope.
This poses not only a serious public health risk but has also spread beyond ‘blues’ (counterfeit Percocet) to increasing amounts of unsuspecting users seeking medical attention when Adderall is laced with fentanyl.
Knowing What to Do if You Suspect an Overdose
It’s important to be aware of what fatal overdoses look like so that you can seek immediate medical attention if needed.
Signs of an overdose include slowed heart rate, shallow breathing, extreme fatigue, being unresponsive to stimuli, constricted pupils, and loss of consciousness.
Immediately call 911 and administer Naloxone if it is available as you stay on the line until emergency responders arrive.
Other Risks from Counterfeit Adderall Aside from Overdose
Aside from the threat of overdose, stimulant medications may also contain too little real medication to be effective or household items that might cause health problems with long-term use. Without any safety standards, there’s also a risk of illness or infection after using counterfeit medications.
There’s also a risk of fake Adderall pills having more of a stimulant effect than you are expecting. A stimulant overdose may cause increased blood pressure, rapid heart rate, heart attacks, stroke, and even death.
Lastly, with prolonged use, you may be exposed to trace amounts of toxic substances from bad manufacturing processes. These unknown substances may accumulate in the body and cause health problems.
Start on a Proven Path to Recovery at Purpose Healing Center
Ingesting counterfeit Adderall can have serious health risks and the only way to guarantee safety is to avoid purchasing medications from unverified sources in any and all cases.
Reach out to Purpose Healing Center today for help overcoming the risks of Adderall dependence.
Purpose provides Joint Commission-accredited medical detox services, customized treatment plans, dual diagnosis for treating ADHD and other mental health conditions, and extensive support across all levels of treatment.
For more information, to have your insurance verified, or to set up an intake appointment, please reach out for confidential support today!
480-579-3319