The orange oval pill imprinted B 973 is mixed amphetamine salts 20mg — a generic equivalent of Adderall manufactured by Barr/Teva and classified as a DEA Schedule II controlled substance. It works by increasing dopamine and norepinephrine release in the brain and is prescribed for ADHD and narcolepsy. Because of its high abuse potential and cardiovascular risks, it requires a written prescription and cannot be refilled without a new one.
What Is the B 973 Pill? Amphetamine Salts 20mg (Adderall Generic) Identification
The B 973 pill is an orange, oval tablet imprinted with "b" on one side and "973" on the other, containing mixed amphetamine salts 20mg. It is manufactured by Barr Pharmaceuticals — now part of Teva Pharmaceuticals following acquisition — and is a generic equivalent of Adderall 20mg immediate-release. The "b" prefix in the imprint denotes Barr as the original manufacturer. Like all amphetamine salt formulations, B 973 is a DEA Schedule II controlled substance.
DEA SCHEDULE II CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE — Mixed amphetamine salts have high potential for abuse which may lead to severe psychological or physical dependence. This is the most restrictive schedule for drugs with accepted medical use. A new written or electronic prescription is required for each fill — refills are not permitted under federal law. Sharing or distributing this medication is a federal crime. Use only under valid prescription from a licensed prescriber.
Manufacturer Background: Barr Pharmaceuticals and Teva
Barr Pharmaceuticals was a major US generic drug manufacturer, known for producing widely dispensed generic versions of controlled substances. In 2008, Teva Pharmaceutical Industries — the world's largest generic drug manufacturer — acquired Barr for approximately $7.46 billion. Following the acquisition, the Barr product line was absorbed into Teva's US generics portfolio. Products previously manufactured under the Barr name — including the B 973 amphetamine salt tablet — continued to be dispensed under the same imprint, though Teva took over manufacturing operations.
Today, the B 973 imprint remains in use and is documented in the FDA's pill identifier databases as an approved generic equivalent of Adderall 20mg immediate-release.
Drug Class and Amphetamine Salt Composition
B 973 contains the same mixed amphetamine salts profile as brand Adderall: a combination of four salts delivering 75% dextroamphetamine and 25% levoamphetamine by amphetamine base equivalent. The specific salts included are amphetamine aspartate monohydrate, amphetamine sulfate, dextroamphetamine saccharate, and dextroamphetamine sulfate — identical to the brand formulation.
Dextroamphetamine (the d-isomer) is the more pharmacologically potent isomer for CNS stimulation, with higher affinity for dopamine and norepinephrine release mechanisms. Levoamphetamine (the l-isomer) has more pronounced peripheral sympathomimetic activity. The 3:1 ratio present in both Adderall and its generics was designed to provide robust central stimulant effect with a particular onset and duration profile distinct from pure dextroamphetamine formulations like Dexedrine.
Mechanism of Action
Amphetamines increase monoaminergic neurotransmission through multiple simultaneous mechanisms:
- Reverse transport — amphetamines enter nerve terminals via monoamine transporters and cause those transporters to run in reverse, actively pumping dopamine and norepinephrine into the synapse rather than removing it
- Reuptake inhibition — amphetamines block the dopamine transporter (DAT) and norepinephrine transporter (NET), preventing clearance of released neurotransmitters from the synapse
- Vesicular displacement — amphetamines displace dopamine from intracellular storage vesicles, increasing cytoplasmic dopamine available for reverse transport
- MAO inhibition — weak inhibition of monoamine oxidase reduces intraterminal degradation of dopamine and norepinephrine
The net result is a large, sustained increase in synaptic dopamine and norepinephrine — particularly in the prefrontal cortex, striatum, and limbic system. In ADHD, normalizing prefrontal dopamine signaling improves executive function, working memory, sustained attention, and impulse control.
What Is B 973 Prescribed For?
As a generic equivalent of Adderall 20mg immediate-release, B 973 is prescribed for the same FDA-approved indications:
- ADHD (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) — in adults and children 3 years of age and older. ADHD is diagnosed across three presentations: predominantly inattentive, predominantly hyperactive-impulsive, and combined presentation.
- Narcolepsy — a neurological sleep disorder characterized by excessive daytime sleepiness, sudden loss of muscle tone (cataplexy), and disrupted nighttime sleep.
The immediate-release formulation provides a relatively rapid onset of approximately 30 minutes and a duration of 4 to 6 hours per dose, in contrast to extended-release formulations designed for once-daily coverage.
Generic Equivalence: B 973 vs. Brand Adderall
FDA bioequivalence standards require generic drugs to deliver the same amount of active ingredient to the bloodstream as the reference brand product within an accepted range — typically 80 to 125% of the brand's area under the curve (AUC) and maximum concentration (Cmax). B 973 has been approved as bioequivalent to Adderall 20mg IR, meaning it delivers the same mixed amphetamine salts in the same proportion, within these statistical parameters. Some patients report noticing differences when switching between brand and generic or between different generics — the FDA and clinical pharmacology data do not support meaningful therapeutic differences for the general population, though individual pharmacokinetic variation exists and is real.
If you experience a significant change in effect when your pharmacy dispenses a different manufacturer's version, discuss it with your prescriber or pharmacist. In some cases, a prescriber can note "dispense as written" on the prescription to specify the brand or a particular generic, though insurance coverage may differ.
Side Effects
The side effect profile of B 973 is identical to brand Adderall — as expected for the same active ingredient at the same dose:
- Decreased appetite — often pronounced; weight loss may occur with sustained use
- Insomnia — take earlier in the day; afternoon or evening doses frequently disrupt sleep
- Increased heart rate and elevated blood pressure
- Dry mouth
- Headache
- Irritability, anxiety, and mood swings — may be particularly notable as the dose wears off ("rebound")
- Growth effects in children — height and weight should be monitored throughout treatment
Psychiatric and Cardiovascular Considerations
CARDIOVASCULAR: Amphetamines raise heart rate and blood pressure. Rare but serious events including sudden cardiac death, stroke, and myocardial infarction have been reported — predominantly in patients with pre-existing cardiac conditions. Screen for structural heart disease and arrhythmias before prescribing. PSYCHIATRIC: Amphetamines can precipitate or worsen psychosis, mania, aggression, or hostility. New or worsening psychiatric symptoms during treatment require immediate clinical evaluation. Use with caution — or not at all — in patients with personal or family history of psychotic illness or bipolar disorder.
Dependence and Misuse
Amphetamines are among the most misused prescription medications in the United States. B 973, being an orange oval tablet resembling the well-known Adderall brand, has high street recognition and significant diversion risk. Regular use — especially at doses higher than prescribed or via non-oral routes — carries substantial risk of physical and psychological dependence.
Withdrawal from amphetamines after regular heavy use produces a characteristic syndrome including profound fatigue, hypersomnia, depressed mood, increased appetite, and intense drug craving. This "crash" is the physiological counterpart of the stimulant effect and reflects depletion of monoamine stores. Unlike opioid or benzodiazepine withdrawal, amphetamine withdrawal is rarely medically dangerous but is psychologically demanding and often triggers relapse.
Counterfeit Risk
Orange oval tablets bearing stimulant-type imprints are a known target for counterfeiting. Illicitly produced tablets visually resembling B 973 have been found to contain methamphetamine, novel synthetic stimulants, or dangerous adulterants. Any amphetamine tablet obtained outside a licensed pharmacy supply chain should be considered potentially counterfeit and unsafe. Fentanyl contamination in stimulant counterfeit tablets has also been documented as the illicit drug supply has become increasingly adulterated.
What to Do If You Find an Unidentified B 973 Pill
If you find an orange oval tablet with the imprint "b 973" and need to confirm its identity, use a pill identifier to verify before drawing any conclusions. Possession of amphetamine salts without a valid prescription is a serious federal and state crime. Unused or unwanted medication should be disposed of through a DEA-authorized take-back program or pharmacy collection kiosk — not left accessible to others, not flushed unless specifically directed by FDA guidance.
If someone has taken amphetamines without a prescription, in excessive amounts, or is showing signs of stimulant toxicity — agitation, chest pain, extremely elevated blood pressure, hyperthermia, seizure, or psychosis — call 911 immediately. Amphetamine overdose is a medical emergency.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the B 973 pill?
The B 973 pill is an orange oval tablet containing mixed amphetamine salts 20mg, manufactured by Barr Pharmaceuticals (now part of Teva). The "b" prefix in the imprint denotes Barr as the original manufacturer. It is a generic equivalent of Adderall 20mg immediate-release and a Schedule II controlled substance used for ADHD and narcolepsy.
Is B 973 the same as Adderall?
Yes. The B 973 tablet contains the same active ingredient — mixed amphetamine salts 20mg — as Adderall 20mg immediate-release, at the same strength. Generic versions are required by the FDA to demonstrate bioequivalence, meaning they deliver the same drug levels in the bloodstream as the brand-name product, though the inactive ingredients and appearance may differ.
Why is mixed amphetamine a Schedule II controlled substance?
Schedule II is the most restrictive classification for drugs with accepted medical uses under the Controlled Substances Act. Amphetamines carry a high potential for abuse and can lead to severe psychological or physical dependence. The classification requires a new written prescription for every fill — there are no refills — and imposes strict record-keeping and dispensing controls on pharmacies.
What are the main risks of amphetamine salts for ADHD?
The primary risks include cardiovascular effects (elevated heart rate and blood pressure, which can be dangerous in patients with underlying cardiac conditions), insomnia, appetite suppression, and potential for psychological dependence. The FDA requires a black box warning noting risks of sudden death in patients with pre-existing cardiac abnormalities. A complete personal and family cardiac history should be reviewed before starting amphetamine therapy.
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