Ritalin works sooner and reaches peak performance more quickly than Adderall does. However, Adderall stays active in your body longer than Ritalin does. Adderall works for four to six hours. Ritalin is only active for two to three hours. Some people prefer the shorter-acting Ritalin because they can better control the timing of side effects, such as loss of appetite and trouble sleeping.
Adderall and Ritalin are brand-name drugs that are also available as generic drugs. Generic forms tend to cost less than the brand-name versions. In general, Adderall and Ritalin cost about the same. The amount you pay for the drugs will depend on your health insurance plan.
Some health insurance plans only cover the generic versions of the drugs. Adderall and Ritalin are usually available at most pharmacies. However, these drugs can have shortages, so they may not be available at all times. Call your pharmacy ahead of time to find out if your medication is available. These two medications can cause effects in people with certain medical conditions. People with certain health issues may need to avoid taking these drugs.
The chart below lists medical conditions you should discuss with your doctor before taking Adderall or Ritalin. Both medications are pregnancy category C drugs. Some children experience different effects from a different formulation of the same medication. A vast majority of children in our survey received medication from a pediatrician 60 percent , followed by a child psychiatrist 18 percent and a general psychiatrist 15 percent.
All of the drugs carry a warning about rare cases of sudden, unexplained death. It is recommended practice to test for life-threatening conditions, including heart-related issues, before prescribing these medications. Overall, physicians did a decent job of screening before prescribing medication.
Eighty-five percent of the children we surveyed received some sort of screening, and 76 percent were given a general medical exam. It should be checked before starting medication, and at least once while the child is taking medication.
And even though 85 percent of the children were screened before starting medication, 15 percent did not receive any type of screening. A parent should always request basic screening of their child before starting medication for ADHD.
We also asked parents about other things they wished their prescribing physician had done. Parents didn't rate doctors well for managing their child's medication.
He offers these additional tips:. Always call the doctor with questions. Even if all is well, check in by phone two weeks after beginning medication and schedule a visit one month after for a follow-up.
After that, return visits will depend on the success of the treatment and side effects. In general, children doing well can be seen every six months.
Reassessment should consist of a physical examination and direct questioning of the child and family member s. Teacher evaluations are also helpful. A complete re-evaluation with the family and input from others including teachers should be considered every year, although waiting two to three years is common.
Side effects are a major area of concern for many parents considering medication for their child's ADHD. Indeed, side effects might add to the overall stress of managing a child's condition. Our survey found that parents of children taking amphetamines and methylphenidates reported a high frequency of side effects. Overall, 84 percent of the children who tried amphetamines and 81 percent who tried methylphenidates experienced side effects.
And among those who reported no longer taking a specific medication, 35 percent said it was because of side effects. Decreased appetite, sleep problems, weight loss, irritability, and upset stomach were the side effects most frequently reported by parents for both types of medication. Amphetamines and methylphenidates were equally likely to produce these side effects with the exception of irritability, which was more likely to be reported as a side effect by parents whose children tried amphetamines.
Although elevated mood or excessive energy wasn't among the more frequently reported side effects, it was more commonly reported by parents whose children were taking amphetamines compared with methylphenidates. Talk with your doctor if irritability, anger, or manic behavior become an issue. Side effects such as a loss of appetite are very common but usually not significant, and they tend to improve over time, Michael L.
Other problems children have after taking medication might not be due to the drugs at all. Sleep problems might have occurred before starting medication, for example. And taking medication at the correct time is another factor in determining side effects. Although many parents reported side effects, they can often be managed.
For example, some children have problems later in the day and a long-acting formulation is best, but sometimes the effect might persist into the evening, suppressing appetite for dinner and delaying bedtime. Parents should also note that a child might begin to show withdrawal symptoms when a dose wears off, and might need tips for avoiding this.
These management skills are something that can be developed with the doctor responsible for prescribing the medication. If patients experience upset stomach as a side effect, this medication can be taken with food. Taking methylphenidate late in the day can disrupt sleep. The most common side effects of methylphenidate are as follows:Decreased of appetite with possible weight loss, jitteriness, irritability, difficulty falling asleep, stomach discomfort, heart racing, and constipation.
The transdermal patch form of methylphenidate can cause skin irritation, and permanent skin discoloration where the patch is applied.
At one time there was a concern that methylphenidate caused a slowing of growth for which the child then compensated in a later time. If side effects are bothersome, or do not go away, talk to your doctor. Most people taking this medication do not experience any of these side effects. Report to your doctor any heart-related problems or a family history of heart and blood pressure problems prior to starting methylphenidate.
Patients with structural cardiac abnormalities and other serious heart problems have experienced sudden death, stroke, heart attack, and increased blood pressure while taking methylphenidate.
Stimulants can increase blood pressure and heart rate. Physicians should monitor these vital signs closely during treatment. Call your doctor immediately if you or your child experiences warning signs such as severe chest pain, excessive shortness of breath without cause, or fainting while taking methylphenidate.
Also disclose to your physician all mental health issues including any family history of suicide, bipolar illness, tics, or depression.
It can cause psychotic or manic symptoms in children and teenagers. Call your doctor immediately if you or your child experiences new or worsening mental health symptoms including hallucinations or sudden suspicions.
Report to your doctor any new blood-flow problems, pain, skin color changes, or sensitivities to temperature while taking methylphenidate. Stimulants like methylphenidate have a high potential for abuse and addiction, especially among people who do not have ADHD. All of the first line i. People with a history of drug abuse should use caution when trying this medication.
Taking the medication exactly as prescribed can reduce potential for abuse. The above is not a complete list of potential side effects. If you notice any health changes not listed above, discuss them with your doctor or pharmacist. Store methylphenidate in a secure place out of the reach of children, and at room temperature. Do not share your methylphenidate prescription with anyone, even another person with ADHD. Sharing prescription medication is illegal, and can cause harm. You should use caution while taking methylphenidate if you have a history of heart or circulation problems.
Animal studies indicate a potential risk of fetal harm but no harm has been found in human beings. Methylphenidate is passed through breastmilk but the effects of ADHD medications in breast milk have never been studied.
Before taking methylphenidate, discuss all other active prescription medications with your doctor. Methylphenidate can have a dangerous, possibly fatal, interaction with a group of rarely used antidepressants called the monoamine oxidase inhibitors MAOIs.
Share a list of all vitamin or herbal supplements, and prescription and non-prescription medications you take with the pharmacist when you fill your prescription, and let all doctors and physicians know you are taking methylphenidate before having any surgery or laboratory tests.
Methylphenidate can have a dangerous interaction with certain anesthetics. The above is not a complete list of all possible drug interactions. Comparative efficacy and tolerability of medications for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder in children, adolescents, and adults: a systematic review and network meta-analysis.
Lancet Psychiatry. I started on a 4 hour dose of 10 mg. High doses can also lead to life-threatening complications such as heart failure, seizures, and significantly high body temperature. Over time, misuse of Ritalin can lead to malnutrition and related health problems.
It may also lead unintentional weight loss. At first, though, Ritalin can increase your breathing slightly and also open up your airways. Such effects are temporary and will go away after a few days once your body gets used to a new prescription or dosage. However, very high doses or long-term misuse can cause irregular breathing. Breathing problems should always be considered a medical emergency. When you first start taking Ritalin, you might experience improved mood, and almost a sense of euphoria.
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