People suffering from attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) take a drug class of CNS (central nervous system) stimulant medicines that stimulate the brain. Both Adderall and Ritalin are from the same category but they act differently. Ritalin acts more quickly rather than Adderall, whereas Adderall stays longer in the body. They control the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine in your brain. It also affects how well you concentrate. Studies have shown that people who take Ritalin or Adderall, 80% of the time work well on ADHD symptoms. Both of the medicines work in different ways and can cause different side effects. A doctor’s prescription is a must because it takes some trials to find the drug and dosage that works best for you. So here in this article, you’ll get all the details about Ritalin vs Adderall and what are the dosage and side effects of using these medicines.
Brief Overview of Adderall & Ritalin
Here we are discussing Adderall and Ritalin and its compositions and how they differ from each other.
Adderall
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a common disorder found in both adults and children. It can be treated with the use of Adderall medicine. Adderall is a prescription-only medicine that has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Neurotransmitters like histamine and serotonin as well as hormones like epinephrine can also be triggered by Adderall. This medicine synthesizes specific neuropeptides when acting inside the body. Ultimately, when taken under the guidance of a healthcare professional, the dosage of Adderall drug works positively on ADHD patients.
Ritalin
It is a central nervous system stimulant that is recommended by doctors and used to treat the (ADHD) attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. It acts by blocking norepinephrine in neurons and dopamine reuptake.
Ritalin has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and is a commonly prescribed medicine in the USA and other countries around the world. Impulsiveness and Hyperactivity disorders can be treated with the help of this medicine.
Ritalin vs Adderall: Is Ritalin the same as Adderall
| Adderall | Ritalin | |
| Ingredient | Two ingredients are used: Amphetamine and Dextroamphetamine | Methylphenidate are used |
| Available Dosage | 5 mg | 5 mg 10 mg 20mg |
| 7.5 mg | ||
| 10 mg | Ritalin SR Sustained Release | |
| 12.5 mg | 20 mg | |
| 15 mg | ||
| 20 mg | Ritalin LA Extended Release | |
| 30 mg | 10 mg, 20 mg, 30 mg and 40 mg | |
| Start Effects in | It works within 30 to 60 min | It starts work within 20 to 30 min |
| Duration of Effects | Adderall (IR) 5 to 8 hours | Ritalin (IR) 4 to 6 hours |
| Adderall (XR) 10 to 12 hours | Ritalin (XR) 10 to 14 hours | |
| Adderall (IR) for children’s 4 to 6 hours | Ritalin children’s 3 to 4 hours | |
| Adderall (XR) for children’s 8 to 10 hours | Ritalin LA children’s 6 to 8 hours | |
| Time in the body | 3 to 4 days to absorb | 1 to 3 days to absorb |
How do Ritalin and Adderall Work?
Both medicines are central nervous system stimulants. They act by increasing the availability of the neurotransmitters called dopamine and norepinephrine in the central nervous system. It results in speeding up your brain activity.
Ritalin works faster and reaches its peak performance before Adderall, but Adderall stays active in the body longer than Ritalin does. Therefore, your healthcare professional would be able to prescribe the best medicine based on your body’s tolerance.
How Long Do Adderall and Ritalin Last?
Ritalin is the brand name for a stimulant called methylphenidate, while Adderall is the brand name for a mix of two stimulants, namely amphetamine-dextroamphetamine. Both medicines come in two forms i.e., short-acting and long-acting.
The short-acting form of the medicine lasts for about 4 hours, whereas the long-acting form of the medicine lasts for up to 12 hours. Long-acting forms are capsules that hold two beads- Half of it gets dissolved right away and the rest of the beads don’t until later.
Side Effects of Adderall and Ritalin
Both of these drugs cause the same kind of side effects, like:
- Headaches
- Increased heartbeat
- Anxiety
- Irritability
- High blood pressure
- Loss of appetite
- Skin rash
- Upset Stomach
- Weight Loss
- Difficulty Sleeping
- Tremors
- Restlessness
- Diarrhea
- Tics
- Mood swings
- Constipation
- Insomnia
- Hives
- Dizziness
- Nervousness
- Nausea
Drug Interactions With Other Drugs
Both Adderall and Ritalin can interact with other drugs (Interaction drugs). Make sure to tell your healthcare professional about all the medications, supplements, and herbs that you are taking.
Ritalin may interact with
- Antidepressants
- Risperidone
- Certain anesthetics
- Medications for high blood pressure
Adderall and Adderall XR may interact with
- Antihistamines
- Acidifying agents
- Antidepressants
- Alkalinizing agents
Cost, Availability, and Insurance
Adderall and Ritalin are brand-name drugs and are also available as generic drugs. Generic forms cost less than the brand-name version. Generally, Ritalin and Adderall medications cost the same.
The amount you pay for these medicines depends on your health insurance. Some health insurance plans only cover the generic versions of the drug. Ritalin and Adderall are available at most of the pharmacies
Are These Drugs Addictive?
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) classifies both Adderall and Ritalin as Scheduled II controlled substances, which means you can get dependent on them. But, that may less likely occur as the long-acting forms are designed to release their medicine slowly.
For more better advice consult a doctor about whether you should take these drugs or not.
Conclusion
According to studies and research, stimulants are effective in treating 70% to 80% of adults and children with ADHD. The common recommendation is that if one of these drugs doesn’t work well for you, you should talk to your healthcare professional about trying the other one.
There are very minor differences between Adderall and Ritalin. It’s important to talk to your doctor and find out the best medicine for treating ADHD according to your body’s tolerance and past medical conditions.
