16 Feb Comparing Ritalin Vs Adderall

Both Ritalin and Adderall are approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat ADHD and narcolepsy. Because these medications are stimulants, they help to improve ADHD symptoms like difficulty controlling impulsive behaviors, focusing, and paying attention, and help people with narcolepsy stay alert and awake throughout the day.

Both medications may be used off-label to treat major depressive disorder, and Ritalin (methylphenidate) may be used to help treat cancer fatigue. However, they are not FDA-approved to treat these conditions.

Ritalin and methylphenidate are more commonly prescribed to children with ADHD, and Adderall and amphetamines are used more often to treat ADHD in adults.

Both medications come in two forms: immediate-release oral tablets (called Ritalin and Adderall, respectively) and extended-release oral capsules (called Ritalin LA and Adderall XR, respectively). Generic Ritalin (methylphenidate) is available as chewable tablets and an oral liquid solution.

Immediate-release Adderall is taken one to three times a day, and immediate-release Ritalin is taken two to three times a day. Ritalin LA and Adderall XR are taken once a day. Methylphenidate chewable tablets and liquid are taken two to three times a day.

Ritalin and methylphenidate tablets may work faster than Adderall tablets, but Adderall’s effects last a little bit longer than Ritalin’s effects.

Adderall starts working within half an hour, and its effects last for five to seven hours. Ritalin and methylphenidate start to work in 20 minutes to half an hour, and the effects last for three to six hours. Adderall XR starts to work in half an hour, and the effects last eight to ten hours. Ritalin LA and extended-release methylphenidate take about two hours to start working, and the effects last for seven to nine hours.

Adderall is associated with a higher risk of dependence, misuse, and side effects because it contains amphetamine, but it has been found to be more effective than Ritalin/methylphenidate in adults with ADHD.

Adderall side effects can vary widely.

Common and usually mild side effects of Adderall that should go away in a few days or a couple of weeks include:

• Anxiety
• Constipation
• Dizziness
• Dry mouth
• Headache
• Lack of appetite
• Nausea
• Stomach pain
• Trouble sleeping
• Weight loss

Serious side effects of Adderall that require immediate medical attention include:

• Agitated or aggressive behavior
• Blurred vision
• Depression
• Hallucinations
• Heart problems like heart attack, high blood pressure, rapid heartbeat, and stroke
• Impaired or delusional thinking
• Irritability
• Rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown)
• Severe allergic reaction

Ritalin side effects can also be mild or serious.

Some of the mild side effects that Ritalin can cause include:

• Agitation
• Anxiety
• Difficulty sleeping
• Energized feeling
• Headache
• Moodiness
• Nausea
• Reduced appetite
• Worsening cardiac problems, seizures, and anxiety in people with a history of these conditions

Some of the severe side effects of Ritalin that require immediate medical attention include:

• Cardiovascular reactions like heart attack, stroke, and sudden death
• Development of new psychotic or manic symptoms
• Increased blood pressure
• Increased heart rate (tachycardia)
• Long-term suppression of growth and weight loss in children
• Poor circulation, including Raynaud’s phenomenon, and symptoms of poor circulation, such as numbness in your fingers or toes
• Potential for abuse and dependence
• Psychiatric adverse reactions such as worsening of a pre-existing psychiatric condition
• Sustained and sometimes painful erections in males

Both Ritalin and Adderall have black box warnings from the FDA to advise doctors and patients about the potential risk of abuse and dependence. People who have a history of abusing or being dependent on alcohol or drugs are more likely to abuse or become dependent on these medications.

Suddenly stopping Ritalin or Adderall after taking high doses or being dependent on them can cause withdrawal symptoms such as depression, fatigue, and tiredness. If you want to stop taking Ritalin or Adderall, you should work with your doctor to slowly reduce your doses over time to avoid withdrawal symptoms.

It is possible to overdose on either medication. Overdose can cause serious side effects that require immediate treatment.

The price of Ritalin and Adderall vary based on your insurance coverage, location, and pharmacy. The generic forms of Ritalin (methylphenidate) and Adderall (amphetamine/dextroamphetamine salts) are usually cheaper than the name-brand medications.

Currently, there is a shortage of Adderall, Ritalin, and other ADHD medications in the United States, which may make it more difficult to obtain these prescriptions.

Immediate-release Adderall tablets come in the following strengths:

• 5 milligrams (mg)
• 7.5 mg
• 10 mg
• 12.5 mg
• 15 mg
• 20 mg
• 30 mg

Extended-release Adderall XR capsules come in the following strengths:

• 5 mg
• 10 mg
• 15 mg
• 20 mg
• 25 mg
• 30 mg

Using immediate-release Adderall to treat ADHD:

• Children 6 to 17 and adults 18 and older typically start with 5 mg once or twice a day and may increase it by 5 mg each week until it reaches the desired effect.
• Children 3 to 5 typically start with 2.5 mg once or twice a day and may increase it by 2.5 mg each week until it reaches the desired effect.

Using extended-release Adderall XR to treat ADHD:

• Adults 18 and older typically start with 20 mg once a day and may increase or decrease weekly until it reaches the desired effect.
• Children 13 to 17 typically start with 10 mg once a day and may increase to 20 mg once a day after the first week if necessary.
• Children 6 to 12 typically start with 5 or 10 mg once a day and may increase by 5 or 10 mg each week until the desired effect is reached.

Using immediate-release Adderall to treat narcolepsy:

• Children 12 to 17 and adults 18 and older typically start with 10 mg once a day and may increase by 10 mg each week until the desired effect is reached.
• Children 6 to 11 typically start with 5 mg once a day and may increase by 5 mg each week until the desired effect is reached.

Anyone taking Adderall or Adderall XR for ADHD or narcolepsy should take the first dose when they wake up and wait four to six hours between any additional doses throughout the day.

Next, we will look at the forms, strengths, and recommended dosages of Ritalin and Ritalin LA.
Immediate-release Ritalin comes with the following strengths:

• 5 mg
• 10 mg
• 20 mg

Extended-release Ritalin LA comes in the following forms:

• 10 mg
• 20 mg
• 30 mg
• 40 mg

Adults who take Ritalin or Ritalin LA for ADHD or narcolepsy typically start with 20-30 mg a day.
Children 6 to 17 who take Ritalin for ADHD or narcolepsy typically start with 5 mg twice a day (the first dose before breakfast and the second dose before lunch) and may increase it by 5-10 mg each week if necessary.

Children 6 to 12 who take Ritalin LA for ADHD typically start with 20 mg once a day and may increase by 10 mg each week if necessary.

Regardless of age or diagnosis, no one should take more than 60 mg a day of Ritalin or Ritalin LA.