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In this blog post we will do a comparison of Ritalin vs Adderall.
But before getting into Ritalin vs Adderall, we want to let you know that both Ritalin and Adderall are very widely used to treat Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (or ADHD) as well as narcolepsy. These drugs can also be used to treat other sleep disorders.
Since these drugs are very similar in their treatment and use, it becomes important to know the difference between the two of them. This is what we plan to explore over the course of this post.
Let's get stuck into it!
First, let’s first find out what Ritalin is used for.
What is Ritalin?
Ritalin is a drug used to treat ADHD. It works by changing the number of neurotransmitters in your brain. Ritalin belongs to stimulants class of drugs. It can help you increase attention and focus.
It can also help you to control your behavioural problems. It increases your listening skills, and helps you to organise and carry out tasks.
How to use Ritalin?
Before starting to take Ritalin, read the medication guide properly. Try to understand every word written there. If you do not understand any line, seek the help of your doctor or do some serious googling.
Ritalin is taken orally or as otherwise directed by your doctor. The general prescription needs you to take it 2 to 3 times a day. It is best if you could take this medicine 30 to 45 minutes before having a meal.
In case you are suffering from stomach upset, you can take this medicine with or after your meal. Do not take this medicine before going to sleep because it can cause trouble in sleeping. Regularly take this medicine to reap the most benefit.
Try to take it at the same time every day.
The recommended dosage will be decided by your doctor as per the severity of the condition.
You will be directed a small dosage at first and then it will be increased gradually. If you have been using this drug for quite some time, do not suddenly stop using it. It can lead to serious withdrawal symptoms. Always consult your doctor before starting and stopping any drug.
Withdrawal symptoms of Ritalin include depression, mood swings and even suicidal thoughts. To help you, your doctor may decrease your dosage slowly. These symptoms are typically seen in persons who have been using this medicine for a long time and in high dosage. Consult with your doctor if you experience any withdrawal symptoms.
If you have been using this medicine for a long time then your body can develop tolerance towards it. Remember that this medicine can even lead to addiction. You are more prone to Ritalin addiction if you have been addicted to drugs or alcohol in the past. If you feel you are becoming addicted to it, talk to your doctor right away.
Uses of Ritalin
Ritalin is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of ADHD.
ADHD is a disorder that affects a person’s ability to pay attention and focus. Some more symptoms can include hyperactivity and sensitivity. Doctors can also prescribe Ritalin for the treatment of sleep disorders like narcolepsy. Narcolepsy is a neurological disorder that can affect a person’s sleeping and waking patterns. People with narcolepsy tend to suddenly fall asleep in the middle of routine tasks.
Ritalin can also be prescribed off-label for the treatment of fatigue and depression. Some college students and working professionals use Ritalin to increase their ability to focus and concentrate.
In the US, Ritalin is classified as a Schedule II drug which implies that it has a very high risk of misuse.
Dosage of Ritalin
Ritalin is available in three forms:
An immediate release tablet;
The extended-release tablet; and
A patch that can be applied on the skin.
It is prescribed to children from the ages of 6 years and above to take Ritalin to combat their diagnosed ADHD.
In the case of children, the dosage would start with a 5 mg immediate-release tablet twice daily. This dosage can be slowly increased to achieve the desired effect.
In the case of adults, the dosage is in the range of 20 mg to 30 mg.
Your doctor, if necessary, can switch from an immediate-release tablet to an extended-release tablet. This allows you to take fewer dosages daily, but still get the same effect as an immediate-release tablet. If you are using the Daytrana patch, then make sure you do not wear it for more than 9 hours. The starting dose, in this case, would be 10 mg which can be increased gradually.
Make sure your dosage should not go beyond 60 mg per day. This is true for children as well as adults.
Narcolepsy
Ritalin is used as a second-line option for the treatment of narcolepsy.
This drug will be prescribed to you only when the other drugs have failed to produce the desired effect. Typically your dosage would be somewhere around 5 mg and 10 mg.
Precautions for ADHD
Before taking Ritalin you should get a complete body check-up and find out if you are allergic to Ritalin or any ingredients contained in it (i.e. the fillers). If you are taking MAOI treatment or have undergone it in the past two weeks, you should avoid Ritalin because the two can interact and lead to adverse side effects.
Ritalin can cause an increase in heart rate and blood pressure. So if you are suffering from tachycardia and hypertension you should avoid this medicine. There have even been reports of child death in the case of children suffering from heart disease for taking Ritalin. If you are suffering from a bipolar or psychotic disorder you should avoid Ritalin as it can worsen these symptoms.
In very rare cases, Ritalin can cause a worsening of the Raynaud phenomenon. Raynaud phenomenon is a condition in which your blood vessels in the fingers and toes resist blood flow because of stress and cold temperature. If you are taking Ritalin you should constantly monitor your fingers and toes and if you experience anything unusual immediately report this to your doctor.
Side Effects of Ritalin
Along with the desired effect, Ritalin can also lead to some serious side effects. Not all of these side effects will be experienced by you. If you experience any of these side effects and it is affecting your day to day life, consult with your doctor right away.
Some common side effects may include:
Fast heartbeat
Confusion
A feeling like this surrounding is not real
Pale skin
Depression
Numbness of hands
Difficult or painful urination
Irritated, red eyes
Scaly, red or swollen skin
Hearing, seeing or feeling things that are not real
White spots, sores or ulcers in the mouth or the lips
Loss of coordination
Unusual behaviour
Weakness or unusual tiredness
Severe headache
Paleness of toes and fingertips
Yellow eyes
Weight loss
Sudden slurring speech
Pain in the fingers when they are exposed to cold.
Some less common side effects:
Fever
Chest pain
Skin rash
Joint pain
Hives
Some rare side effects:
Bloody urine
Some change in vision like blurred vision
Tarry, black stools
Muscle cramps
Flaking, crusting, or dryness of the skin
Seizures
Red spots on the skin
Unusual bruising or bleeding
Uncontrollable movement of some parts of the body
Ritalin, if taken in higher dosage than prescribed, can seriously affect your body.
Here are some symptoms of overdose:
Anxiety
Dark-coloured urine
Confusion as to person, place or time
Diarrhea
Dilated, enlarged or bigger pupils of the eye
A false sense of well-being
Dizziness, lightheadedness or faintness
Agitation
Dry mouth, throat, eyes, or nose
Muscle twitching
Loss of consciousness
Tremors
Sweating
Muscle stiffness or pain
Nervousness
Shallow, rapid breathing
Overactive reflexes
Feeling, hearing or seeing things that are not real
Sweating
Nervousness, excitement or restlessness
There are some minor side effects of Ritalin that do not need any medical attention. These side effects are due to your body adapting to this new medicine. As you become habituated with this medicine, these side effects will usually fade away.
That being said, if any side effects bother you or prevent you from leading a healthy day to day life, do seek medical advice from your doctor.
Some minor side effects of Ritalin are as follows:
Headache
Trouble in falling asleep
Nervousness
Loss of appetite
Stomach pain
Stuffy nose
Fear
Anger
Dizziness
Irritability
Scalp hair loss
Vomiting
Muscle aches
Runny nose
Nausea
Drowsiness
Acting, talking or feeling excited
Ritalin Addiction
If you are taking Ritalin as per the prescription then it is not harmful. However, if you misuse this drug then there are high chances of developing a Ritalin addiction. You can become psychologically and physically dependent on this drug.
Pros and Cons of Ritalin
Pros
Ritalin is approved by the FDA for the treatment of ADHD.
Ritalin can help you in improving focus and concentration.
Ritalin is clinically proven to cure ADHD and narcolepsy.
Cons
Ritalin can have some major side effects like a heart attack.
Ritalin is habit-forming.
Long term effect of Ritalin is not known.
Is the long-term use of Ritalin harmful?
Unfortunately, we don’t have any clinical trials that can assess the effects of Ritalin for more than 4 weeks of treatment. If your doctor prescribes this medicine for more than 4 weeks then he or she will assess the long term effects of this drug in you. Researchers have designed an ADDUCE study or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Drugs Use Chronic Effects study to assess the long term effect of this drug.
This study assesses the effect of this drug in treating ADHD in children as well as adults.
This study also focuses on:
Growth and development
Psychiatric health
Cardiovascular health
Neurological health
Ritalin has also been used in children and adults for 2 years. Clinical trials on the long term effect of this drug are necessary.
What is Adderall?
Adderall is a medication that is used for the treatment of Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and narcolepsy. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is a disorder in which the person has difficulty paying attention to anything for a long time and suffers from hyperactivity and impulsiveness.
Narcolepsy is a sleeping disorder in which the person sleeps a lot in the daytime. Adderall is a medicine that is a combination of amphetamine and dextroamphetamine which help in controlling the brain and nervous system contributing to impulsive and hyperactivity control.
Uses of Adderall
This medication or drug is used for treating ADHD by changing some chemicals in the brain, which can help you to pay attention to things. It can also increase your focus ability and control your other problems related to behaviour.
In addition to this, this medicine increases your listening skills and makes you more organised.
Another use of this medicine is in the treatment of narcolepsy, which is a sleeping disorder.
Adderall helps you to not sleep in the daytime and keeps you awake. Some people use this medicine when they are tired and want to avoid sleep due to work. But it should not be used for such purposes as this can harm your health. Also, keep in mind that you should use this medicine only if your doctor prescribes it and the dose of the medicine should also be according to the prescription of the doctor.
Dosage of Adderall
This medicine is usually taken by mouth directly with water or with food as prescribed by the doctor.
Doctors usually prescribe to take this medicine 1 to 3 times a day, according to the seriousness of your disorder. Generally, the dose is taken in the morning. This medicine should not be taken in the night, as it may cause a problem for you in sleeping.
The dose may be changed from time to time according to your medical condition. The doctor’s instructions must be followed strictly and accordingly the dosage must be taken.
Sometimes the doctors stop the medicine to check whether the medicine has a positive effect on your medical condition or not. Stopping the medicine suddenly may result in various problems like sleeping disorders, tiredness, weakness, mood swings, etc. You should keep your dose limited and should not increase it excessively as taking the dosage excessively may lead to addiction to this medication. So, the dose should be carefully taken according to the doctor’s prescription and the patient must concern with the doctor from time to time.
Side effects of Adderall
Taking amphetamine and dextroamphetamine may lead to various side effects such as stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, headache, diarrhea, weight loss, dizziness, trouble sleeping, etc. Some people do not suffer from severe side effects, however, some may suffer from severe side effects problems.
If your problem increases, so, you must contact your doctor as soon as possible. You must check your blood pressure regularly because taking this medicine may lead to an increase in your blood pressure.
Some other side effects may include numbness, blood flow problems, aggression, depression, mood swings, abnormal thoughts, change in skin colour, body pain, unusual wounds, uncontrolled movements, etc.
Other serious side effects that need immediate concern from the doctor include - a problem in breathing, the problem in vision, fainting, weakness, confusion or sometimes allergies may also occur, however, there are very rare chances of having an allergic reaction.
Precautions for Adderall
There are certain precautions that you need to take before taking these medications. If you have any allergy to any food or any medicine, then you should inform about such things to your doctor.
If you don’t inform your doctor about such allergies, then it may result in various side effects.
Along with this, you must also inform your pharmacist about your medical history if any. The problems related to the family history of mental illness, blood circulation, mood swings, etc must be discussed with the doctor.
If you have certain heart problems like heart failure, stroke problems, high blood pressure, etc., then you must inform your doctor about such conditions before taking the medications.
Taking these medications may make you feel dizzy. You should not consume alcohol or smoke while taking these medicines. Do not drive, use machinery or any other things which require attention.
These medicines have severe side effects on children and can affect the growth and development of the children. There should be a regular concern from the doctor to reduce such side effects. The doctor may give you instructions to stop the medicines from time to time, which should be followed strictly.
In addition to that, you should check your child’s weight and height regularly if your child is taking such medicines. If there is a sudden weight loss then you must notify your pharmacists immediately.
If you are an older adult then, you may be highly affected by various side effects such as chest pain, sleeping disorder, body pain, etc.
A pregnant woman should avoid such medications. But if it is needed, then you must discuss the risks and benefits associated with this.
Taking such medications by a pregnant woman may lead to giving birth to a premature baby or maybe a weak baby. If a pregnant lady uses these medications, then the women are not recommended breastfeeding because these medicines pass into breast milk and may lead to various harmful effects.
Interactions
The drug interactions may depend on how your medication benefits you or increases your risks. You should inform your doctor about all the products you use and all the products you eat. You must not change or stop the dose of the medicines on your own. While taking these medications you should avoid inhibitors like procarbazine, phenelzine, methylene blue, safinamide, selegiline, linezolid, etc.
Taking such inhibitors may cause drug interactions. Such inhibitors should be avoided at least two weeks before the treatment. You should inform about all the products that you are using to your doctor because some products contain some ingredients which may lead to an increase in blood pressure or heart rate. If you want to conduct any tests like urine tests or blood tests, then you must inform about the use of these medications to the laboratory personnel as taking these medications can give you false results.
Overdose
If someone takes an overdose of such medicines then it may harm you in a very bad way. The symptoms of overdose include breathing problems, depression, mood swings, mental problems, restlessness, fast breathing, headache, fainting, etc. An overdose situation requires an immediate emergency. So it must be avoided and the dose should be strictly according to the doctor’s prescription and instructions.
Pros and Cons of Adderall
Pros
Adderall is the most effective drug for the treatment of ADHD.
Adderall can help you in improving concentration and focus.
Cons
Adderall is habit-forming.
Adderall can have some adverse side effects.
Adderall can cause addiction.
All people don’t become addicted to Adderall. However, taking this medicine without any prescription or taking overdose may result in the addiction to such medicines.
Adderall increases the dopamine and norepinephrine levels in the nervous system, which effects and controls the working of the brain and behaviour of individuals.
Some common symptoms that show that the person is addicted to Adderall are:
Taking larger doses.
Not able to control the taking of overdose.
Knowing the harmful effects of taking the drug, but still taking it.
Being dependent on Adderall for completing the work.
Suffering from various side effects and symptoms.
These are some signs that may show that the person has now become addicted to Adderall.
To avoid such addiction, the person must take these medicines only if the doctor prescribes and the dose should also be according to the instructions given by the doctor. It should not be taken by your wish as it may lead to addiction to Adderall and may harm your body.
Some important things to remember
There are certain important things which should be kept in mind while or before taking these medicines-
These medications should not be shared with anyone. It should be taken only if the doctor prescribes it. If you share such medicines with anyone then, you may be punished by the law as the sharing of such medications is against the law.
If someone is taking these medications then, you must conduct heart rate, blood pressure tests to know about the side effects of these medicines.
Do not miss the dose. If you miss the dose in the morning, then, you may take it in the late morning, but don’t take the missed dose near to the time of the second dose. In such a case, you should skip the missed dose.
The medicines should be stored at normal temperature and should be kept away from children. The medicines should be kept away from light and moisture.
Do not use these medicines if you have used any MAO inhibitors recently.
Consult your doctor immediately if you suffer from any problem or any other allergic reaction by the use of these medicines.
If you have heart disease or blood pressure problems or vision problems, then you should not use Adderall.
Ritalin vs Adderall
As already discussed both Ritalin and Adderall are used to treat Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder or ADHD.
They are also used to treat other sleep orders like narcolepsy. Both these medicines work by increasing chemicals in your brain that are responsible for focusing and concentrating on tasks.
Both these drugs are indeed categorised as a stimulant, but they have different active ingredients. Ritalin contains the drug named methylphenidate hydrochloride while Adderall is a combination of dextroamphetamine and amphetamine.
Both of these medicines are clinically proven to help cure ADHD. According to a survey, more than 70% of the children were cured because of these drugs. However, both of these drugs have some side effects. Moreover, there are no studies to suggest the long term effect of these drugs.
Researchers believe that for treating ADHD in children and adolescent Ritalin is a safer option than Adderall. Similarly, for treating ADHD in men and adults, Adderall is the most preferred medicine.
Are Ritalin and Adderall the same thing?
The short answer is no.
They are very different in how they affect the body and their composition. Ritalin contains the medicine methylphenidate while Adderall is a mixture of medicines named amphetamine and dextroamphetamine. Although they vary in their composition, both of them are classified as CNS stimulants.
This means that they work by affecting the number of neurotransmitters in your brain. They increase the concentration of neurotransmitters like dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain. This helps you to concentrate on tasks at hand.
Who needs them?
The treatment of ADHD is a very comprehensive process. It includes all the following:
Educating about ADHD and its causes
Educating about diagnosis and treatment of ADHD
Teaching the subject of how to manage his or her symptoms of ADHD
Medication
Mental health counseling for the subject and his or her family
Regular follow-ups
Ritalin and Adderall are used in the medication part of this comprehensive treatment plan. Your doctor may recommend a combination of medication and therapies to cure ADHD faster.
If your child is above 6 years of age, you should go for a combination of medication and therapy to treat ADHD. However, for a child under 6 years of age, only the therapies are recommended. Consuming drugs like Ritalin and Adderall at such a small age is not good for the mental health of your child.
What drugs interact with Adderall?
Before you start taking Adderall, make sure you consult with your doctor about all the previous drugs that you were using.
You should even mention the supplements and herbs that you are using.
Adderall can interact with some medicines and cause serious side effects. Sometimes you need to change your treatment or change the dosage of the other medicine while using Adderall.
Here is the list of drugs that can interact with Adderall:
Medicines for blood pressure;
Medicines for stomach acid;
Seizure medicine;
Anti-depression medicines like MAOIs;
Medicines used to thin blood; and
Medicines used to treat allergy or cold and contain decongestants;
Make a list of all the medicines that you and your child is using. Show this list to your doctor.
Do not start any new medicine while you are using Adderall.
What drugs interact with Ritalin?
Tell your doctor about all the prescription and non-prescription drugs you are using. You should even tell him or her about all the supplements like vitamins and herbs you are using. Ritalin can interact with some medicines and cause serious side effects. You may be required to change your treatment or change the dosage of other medicines while using Ritalin.
It is up to your doctor to decide what changes should be made in your treatment while using Ritalin. If you are being treated with MAO inhibitors or had been treated with it in the past 2 weeks, you should stay away from Ritalin. It can adversely affect your blood pressure. Take extra care while using Ritalin with pressor agents.
If you are on the medication used to treat hypertension than using Ritalin can decrease its effectiveness. Ritalin is metabolized to ritualistic acid using de-esterification and not oxidative pathways. Ritalin can inhibit the metabolism of anticoagulants, coumarin, anticonvulsants (e.g. phenytoin, Phenobarbital, primidone), and tricyclic drugs (e.g. clomipramine, imipramine, desipramine).
How long do they last?
Both Ritalin and Adderall come in two forms, long-acting and short-acting.
The long-acting form is supposed to be taken early in the morning and can last for the entire day. On the other hand, the short-acting form lasts for only 4 hours. Most long-acting forms are capsules. Half of the capsule dissolves in the stomach and reaches the blood right away, giving you the first dose of the medicine. The other half remains in the stomach and slowly dissolves into the blood.
The long-form of Adderall can last for 10 to 12 hours while the long-form of Ritalin can last for 6 to 12 hours.
Can I use them together?
Your doctor would not generally prescribe using both of these medicines together. There is very little research on how these medicines interact with each other. Both of these medicines are used for the same purpose, so taking them together would magnify the side effects and other complications.
Common Side Effects of Adderall and Ritalin
Although the medical industry considers both Ritalin and Adderall as safe drugs, there are some serious side effects of both of them. Some common side effects of both drugs are as follows:
Headaches
Anxiety
Restlessness
Tics
Diarrhea
Loss of appetite
Anxiety
Fast heartbeat
High blood pressure
Stomach upset
Trouble in falling asleep
Skin rash
Weight loss
Tremors
Restlessness
Constipation
Hives
Mood swings
Insomnia
Nervousness
Nausea
Dizziness
Both the medicines also warn about heart problems, seizures, mental health problems, circulation problems in your toes and fingers and blurred vision.
Men taking Adderall may also experience sexual problems like less sex drive, frequent erection, impotence and erection that lasts longer than expected. Some people have also reported hair loss or a condition called rhabdomyolysis in which the muscles break down.
Dosage
There is no standard dosage of Ritalin or Adderall. The dosage of these drugs will depend on the severity of the symptoms of the patient. Your prescribed dosage would be determined after a thorough clinical trial. You will have to go through a complete body check-up before you are prescribed any of these medicines. Usually, your dosage will start with a small number of drugs. Gradually this dosage will be increased as per your tolerance of the drug.
Cost
The cost of these drugs can vary widely. You must find out what is covered in your insurance and match it with the cost of the drug in your local pharmacy. The longer-acting forms of both Adderall and Ritalin are most expensive than the shorter-acting form.
The generic version is usually a lot cheaper than the brand name.
Uses
Ritalin and Adderall have very similar applications. Both of these drugs are used to treat ADHD or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder as well as narcolepsy. Some doctors may also prescribe these medicines for the treatment of obesity and depression.
The mechanism of action in both these drugs is almost the same. They increase the concentration of neurotransmitters dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain.
Adderall is also prescribed to treat sleep cycle disorders. On the other hand, Ritalin can be used to treat methamphetamine addiction and postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome.
Efficacy
Researchers have found that Adderall is more effective than Ritalin, especially in the case of lower dosages. Low doses of Adderall can produce the same effect as high doses of Ritalin. Researchers prefer Adderall for long term treatment than Ritalin.
A single dose treatment of Adderall is as effective as two daily doses of Ritalin. Adderall is more successful in managing ADHD treatments without using medicines in the school. Moreover, persons who were not cured by Ritalin may be because of poor response or adverse side effects that can be cured by Adderall.
Restrictions for Adderall
Avoid taking Adderall during early pregnancy or if you have taken any MAOI treatment in the last two weeks. Adderall increases the risk of serotonin syndrome when you combine it with SSRIs. Similarly, you should avoid Ritalin during pregnancy as well as if you have undergone any MAOI treatment in the last two weeks.
You should not combine it with tricyclic antidepressants. It should not be taken by patients suffering from severe hypertension, addiction to drug and alcohol, arrhythmia, liver damage, or nervousness. In the case of patients with epilepsy special care should be taken as it can lower the seizure threshold.
Ritalin should not be combined with SSRIs like Lexapro and Zoloft because it can lead to hypertension, convulsions, and hypothermia. If it is combined with adrenergic drugs it can increase the risk of liver toxicity.
Withdrawal
Adderall can lead to addiction and dependence. When you stop taking Adderall it can lead to some withdrawal symptoms like insomnia, fatigue, mental depression, and irritability. Similarly, Ritalin can also lead to withdrawal symptoms if you stop taking the drug suddenly. Withdrawal symptoms, in this case, are depression, psychosis, irritability and temporary worsening of your ADHD symptoms.
Are these drugs addictive?
Both Ritalin and Adderall are classified under Schedule II drug category. This implies that these drugs are addictive. The risk of addiction is not as high in the case of longer-acting drugs than shorter-acting drugs. These drugs are abusive as well. These drugs are famous for increasing concentration and focus. These can be abused by college students and working professionals to finish their work in less time and with more accuracy.
Do not take these drugs without a prescription. Take only the amount of dosage as prescribed. The chances of addiction increase if you do not take the drug as it was prescribed. If you have a history of drug or alcohol addiction, consult with your doctor.
Complications in Ritalin and Adderall
There can occur many complications when you use Ritalin or Adderall to cure ADHD.
According to FDA Ritalin and Adderall can cause serious complication if the person taking it has any of the following problems:
Is very agitated, tense or anxious
Is allergic to any of the ingredients of Adderall or Ritalin
Is suffering from tics, Tourette’s syndrome or any of his family members are suffering from tics.
Has recently consumed MOI or monoamine oxidase inhibitor
Has high blood pressure
Experiences seizures
Is suffering from serious heart diseases
Is suffering from another mental health condition
A history of drug abuse
Hyperthyroidism
Glaucoma
If you are taking some other medicines as well, then make sure you consult about it with your doctor. Various drugs interact with Adderall and Ritalin. Taking these drugs together can harm your body.