Compare Focalin vs. Adderall
Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, ratings, and more.
Helps you focus and stay alert.
Focalin (Dexmethylphenidate) is a first-choice treatment for ADHD that's available as a generic, but it's a stimulant, so it can cause insomnia and other side effects.
●●●●●
3.3/ 5 average rating with 141 reviewsforFocalin
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.
●●●●●
3.9/ 5 average rating with 1309 reviewsforAdderall
Upsides
- Focalin (Dexmethylphenidate) is used in combination with counseling or other non-drug therapies to treat ADHD.
- Available as a generic medication.
- Available in both an immediate-release form, which is given twice a day, and an extended-release form, which is given once a day.
- Capsules can be opened and sprinkled in water or applesauce for people who don't like swallowing pills.
- 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.
Downsides
- Needs to be taken in the morning and early afternoon, or else it can cause insomnia later that night.
- It's a controlled medication and should be locked up to prevent potential abuse.
- 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.
Used for
Dosage forms
- Pill
- Extended release
- Pill
Price
Lowest price
$90.87
Find instant savings near youLowest price
$64.18
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
141 reviews so far
55%
saidit'sworth it
35%
saiditworked well
21%
saidit'sa big hassle
Have you used Focalin (Dexmethylphenidate)?
Leave a review1309 reviews so far
74%
saidit'sworth it
53%
saiditworked well
16%
saidit'sa big hassle
Have you used Adderall (dextroamphetamine / amphetamine)?
Leave a reviewSide effects
The Focalin (Dexmethylphenidate) FDA package insert doesn’t have numbers about how common side effects are.
The Adderall (dextroamphetamine / amphetamine) FDA package insert doesn’t have numbers about how common side effects are.
Risks and risk factors
- High blood pressure
- Taking monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOI) 14 days before starting
- Abuse and dependence
- History of drug abuse
- Serious or life-threatening cardiovascular events
- History of heart problems
- Aggressive behavior and psychosis
- History of psychotic episodes
- History of Bipolar Disorder
- Long-term growth suppression
- Ages 7 to 10
- Seizures
- History of seizures
- Prolonged erection
- Circulation problems in the hands and feet
- Vision changes
- 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