Compare Adderall vs. Ritalin
Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, ratings, and more.
Helps you focus and stay alert.
Adderall (dextroamphetamine / amphetamine) is a first-choice treatment for ADHD that's available as a generic, but it's a stimulant that can cause difficulty sleeping and other side effects.
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3.9/ 5 average rating with 1309 reviewsforAdderall
Helps you focus and stay alert.
Ritalin (methylphenidate) is a first-choice treatment for ADHD that comes in many different forms, but you need to take this medication more often than alternatives.
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3.5/ 5 average rating with 526 reviewsforRitalin
Upsides
- First-choice medication to treat ADHD.
- Adderall (dextroamphetamine / amphetamine) is used together with counseling or other non-drug therapies to treat ADHD.
- Available as an affordable generic medication.
- Available in both immediate and extended release forms.
- For the extended release capsule, if you can't swallow the whole capsule, the capsule can be opened, mixed in a spoonful of applesauce, and swallowed.
- First-choice medication to treat ADHD because it is cheap and effective.
- Ritalin (methylphenidate) is used with counseling and other non-drug therapies to treat ADHD.
- Available as a generic medication.
- Available in many different forms: extended-release and immediate-release tablets, chewable tablet, and liquid.
- Preferred medicine for elderly with ADHD or narcolepsy because it is safer than alternatives for this population.
Downsides
- Must take in the morning and early afternoon, otherwise it can cause difficulty sleeping.
- It's a controlled medication and should be locked up to prevent potential abuse.
- Not safe for people with a history of heart problems.
- For school-aged children, a second dose will likely need to be given at school.
- Need to take Ritalin (methylphenidate) 2 or 3 times a day compared to other ADHD medications which you can take once daily.
- Can raise your blood pressure and pulse, so its not safe for people with heart problems.
- It's a controlled medication (CII), so you may need to get a new prescription each month from your doctor.
- Ritalin (methylphenidate) may affect growth in children and teens in some cases.
- Ritalin (methylphenidate) contains a mixture of active and inactive compounds (dexmethylphenidate and methylphenidate, respectively), which may not work as well for some people.
Used for
Dosage forms
- Pill
- Pill
- Chewable tablet
- Liquid
Price
Lowest price
$9.74
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$49.34
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Reviews
1309 reviews so far
74%
saidit'sworth it
53%
saiditworked well
16%
saidit'sa big hassle
Have you used Adderall (dextroamphetamine / amphetamine)?
Leave a review526 reviews so far
60%
saidit'sworth it
42%
saiditworked well
19%
saidit'sa big hassle
Have you used Ritalin (methylphenidate)?
Leave a reviewSide effects
The Adderall (dextroamphetamine / amphetamine) FDA package insert doesn’t have numbers about how common side effects are.
17possible side effects
- Lowered appetite25%
- Headache22%
- Dry mouth14%
- Nausea13%
- Difficulty sleeping12%
- Anxiety8%
- Weight loss7%
- Dizziness7%
- Irritability6%
- Fast heartbeat5%
- Sweating5%
- Depression4%
- Stomach pain2%
- Loss of appetite2%
- Vomiting2%
- Blurry vision2%
- Aggressive behavior2%
Risks and risk factors
- Serious or life-threatening cardiovascular events
- History of heart problems
- Misuse of Adderall (dextroamphetamine / amphetamine)
- Dependence and abuse
- History of drug abuse
- Misuse of Adderall (dextroamphetamine / amphetamine)
- Serotonin syndrome
- Taking other medicines that affect serotonin levels
- Aggressive behavior and psychosis
- History of psychotic episodes
- History of bipolar disorder
- Driving impairment
- Taking Adderall (dextroamphetamine / amphetamine) with alcohol
- Taking other medicines that cause dizziness and/or drowsiness
- Long-term growth suppression
- Children ages 7 to 10
- Abuse and dependence
- History of drug abuse
- Alcoholism
- Serious or life-threatening heart problems
- History of heart problems
- Aggressive behavior and psychiatric symptoms
- History of psychotic episodes
- History of bipolar disorder
- History of Tourette's syndrome
- Height and weight delay in children
- Children
- Seizures
- History of seizures
- Circulation problems in the hands and feet