Compare dexamethasone vs. Ritalin
Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, ratings, and more.
Calms down your immune system.
Decadron (dexamethasone) is a long-acting oral corticosteroid that is very effective in treating allergic reactions and immune conditions, however, if you're taking Decadron (dexamethasone) for a long time, there can be serious side effects.
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.
●●●●●
3.5/ 5 average rating with 526 reviewsforRitalin
Upsides
- Effective in treating many conditions.
- Can improve energy and appetite.
- Can control immune responses that are causing you discomfort and works quickly to relieve symptoms like swelling, rash, asthma attacks, and pain.
- Has long-term benefit in calming down the immune system and keeping it from causing your body harm, such as in autoimmune conditions.
- Available in generic form.
- 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
- Many side effects, particularly with long term use.
- Side effects include mood changes, trouble sleeping and increase in blood pressure and blood sugar at higher doses.
- Long-term use can cause problems with skin, bone, eye health and put you at a higher risk for infections.
- If you've been using corticosteroids for more than 2 weeks, you will need to work with a doctor to get off the medicine slowly.
- Limited studies conducted with use of steroids during pregnancy or breastfeeding - potential harm to unborn baby.
- 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
- Allergies
- Skin Conditions
- Endocrine Conditions
- Eye Conditions
- Stomach Conditions
- Respiratory disorder
- Multiple sclerosis flare
- Hematologic Conditions
- Cancer
- Autoimmune and Rheumatic Conditions
- Immune thrombocytopenia
- Acute mountain sickness
- Multiple myeloma
- Prevention of nausea and vomiting from chemotherapy
Dosage forms
- Pill
- Liquid
- Pill
- Chewable tablet
- Liquid
Price
No pricing information available
Lowest price
$46.75
Find instant savings near youWant to save even more money?
Sign up now for a 30-day trial and save up to 95% at CVS, Kroger, Albertsons, and other pharmacies.
Learn more
Reviews
Not enough review data.Leave a review
526 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 Decadron (dexamethasone) 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
- Lowered adrenal function
- Lowering dose or stopping too quickly especially after long-term treatment
- Stress such as trauma, surgery or infection
- Increased risk for infections
- Taking other immunosuppressants
- Long-term treatment
- Not vaccinated against viral diseases
- Contact with people who have viral illness
- History of bacterial or viral conditions
- Changes in heart and kidney function
- Recent heart attack
- Stomach and intestinal problems
- History of stomach bleeding
- Active or history of stomach ulcers
- Ulcerative colitis
- Taking Decadron (dexamethasone) with other medicine that can cause stomach problems
- Bone effects
- Dose of Decadron (dexamethasone)
- Duration of treatment
- Eye problems
- 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