Compare Ritalin vs. Kapvay
Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, ratings, and more.
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
Treats attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
Kapvay (clonidine) is one of the few medicines for ADHD that isn't a stimulant and not addictive, but it can lower your blood pressure.
Upsides
- 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.
- Can be used alone or together with a stimulant-type medicine to treat ADHD.
- Also treats blood pressure and some nervous system and psychiatric conditions.
- Kapvay (clonidine) is available in generic.
Downsides
- 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.
- Kapvay (clonidine) is not a first choice medicine to treat ADHD.
- Kapvay (clonidine) can make you feel very dizzy or cause low blood pressure.
- Stopping Kapvay (clonidine) suddenly can cause your blood pressure to jump and your heart to beat very fast.
- It can take up to two weeks of taking Kapvay (clonidine) to notice any changes in behavior.
- Kapvay (clonidine) has to be swallowed whole, which can be hard for some children to do.
Used for
Dosage forms
- Pill
- Chewable tablet
- Liquid
- Extended release
Price
Lowest price
$46.85
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$15.99
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Reviews
526 reviews so far
60%
saidit'sworth it
42%
saiditworked well
19%
saidit'sa big hassle
Have you used Ritalin (methylphenidate)?
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Side effects
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%
12possible side effects
- Sleepiness19%
- Fatigue14%
- Headache7%
- Upper abdominal pain7%
- Decreased appetite6%
- Dizziness5%
- Insomnia4%
- Aggression2%
- Mood changes2%
- Emotional disorders2%
- Irritability2%
- Stuffy nose2%
Risks and risk factors
- 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
- Low blood pressure and low heart rate
- Sleepiness
- Taking with alcohol
- Taking other medicines that make you less alert
- High blood pressure
- Stopping Kapvay (clonidine) suddenly