The developmental illness known as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) impairs focus and concentration. A number of drugs, including Ritalin, Strattera, and Adderall XR, can help control symptoms.
Typically, ADHD drugs are stimulants. Adderall XR, Vyvanse, and Concerta are common choices. On the other hand, nonstimulant medications like Strattera or Intuniv XR are also available. The effects of medications might be short-, medium-, or long-acting.
A person’s optimal medication is dependent on numerous factors. These consist of the adverse effects of the drug, its duration, and the patient’s particular preferences. The best kind can be recommended by a physician, but it’s helpful to understand the advantages and disadvantages of each kind.
The many drugs that people might take to help manage the symptoms of ADHD are compared in this article.
A list of ADHD drugs that address working memory, self-control, attention, and creativity. Drugs that target the brain chemicals dopamine and norepinephrine, which are implicated in ADHD, may be able to assist patients control the symptoms of the disorder.
To treat the symptoms of ADHD, doctors typically administer stimulants and nonstimulants.
In adults, adolescents, and children, stimulants are more effective than nonstimulants. They can, however, also result in rebound symptoms and provide a danger of overuse.
Because of this, a lot of people switch to nonstimulants. Long-acting stimulant formulations can also lessen the possibility of abuse.
As a first-line treatment for children, adolescents, and adults with ADHD, doctors usually prescribe stimulants. Dopamine and norepinephrine are two brain chemicals that are affected by stimulants and may be involved in ADHD.
Adults respond better to stimulants known as amphetamines and experience fewer adverse effects. Methylphenidate is the first medication of choice for kids and teenagers with ADHD.
What are the side effects?
elevated heart rate
elevated hematocrit
decreased hunger
having trouble falling asleep
Serious problems relating to the heart are uncommon. Physicians should keep a close eye on stimulant-using patients who have cardiac issues.
Stimulants of the central nervous system carry a significant risk of dependence and abuse. Doctors tend to prescribe longer-acting formulations more frequently because they have a lesser risk for misuse.
What are the drug interactions?
Many drugs can interact with stimulants.
Some persons suffer from anxiety or sadness in addition to ADHD. For this reason, while treating ADHD, doctors may combine an antidepressant or an anxiety medicine with a stimulant.
Antidepressants called monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) shouldn’t be taken with stimulants. Prior to beginning any stimulant medicine, an individual must cease taking any MAOI at least 14 days in advance.
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are another class of antidepressants that interact with stimulants.
Inhibitors of serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake (SNRIs).
Methylphenidate
A more thorough examination of stimulant medication kinds for ADHD is provided in the following sections.
Methylphenidate is a component in several ADHD stimulant drugs that acts on the brain’s dopaminergic receptors.
studies shown methylphenidate to be both safe and effective, making these drugs well-liked options.
Methylphenidate is an ingredient in several long-acting drugs. There are also types that function quickly.
Long-acting methylphenidate medications include:
Adhansia XR
Adzenys XR-ODT, Adzenys ER
Extensio XR
Azstarys Performance
Cotempla XR-ODT
Daytrana
Capsules of Dexedrine
Dyanavel PM Joannay XR
Mydayis
QuilliChew Emergency Room
Quillivant XR
Relexxi
Generic medicine Ritalin LA
Short-acting methylphenidate medications include:
Desoxyn Evekeo, Evekeo ODT.
Methylin Centra
Ritalin
Ritalin SR
Zenzedi prescription drugs
Additional stimulant drugs include Adderall and Vyvanse, among others.
Long-acting stimulant medications
Long-acting stimulant medications are covered in further detail in the sections that follow.
Concerta
Concerta capsules release methylphenidate by the use of an osmotic-controlled release oral delivery system (OROS). Methylphenidate has a long-acting impact, releasing 22% of its effects right away and the rest 78% over time.
Only Concerta contains OROS technology; generic formulations do not. When someone eats Concerta, digestive juices from their stomach and intestines seep into the tablet, gradually releasing the medication over the course of the day.
Like biphentin, the drug has a 10-to 12-hour half-life. If necessary, users can utilise a short-acting version of methylphenidate after the drug wears off.
Concerta capsules should not be broken or crushed. Those who have trouble swallowing medications could find it challenging to use Concerta.
Methylphenidate ER
Concerta is also available in generic form as methylphenidate ER. The medicine in this product is not released by OROS technology.
The main factor influencing people’s decision to go with the generic version over Concerta is its cheaper price.
have verified that Concerta and this generic alternative have the same impact.
When patients go from Concerta to its generic equivalent, some clinicians have seen behavioural changes in their patients. Any behavioural changes that are noticed should be reported to doctors, nurses, carers, and loved ones.
Ritalin LA
Half of the medication in Ritalin LA tablets is released all at once, while the remaining half is released gradually over the course of the day.
For patients with ADHD who are children, adolescents, or adults, doctors can give Ritalin LA. This pill should not be split, chewed, or crushed.
Daytrana
A methylphenidate patch called Daytrana is applied to the hip. Researchers have looked into how it affects kids between the ages of 6 and 12 and 13 and 17.
Two hours before to the need for the medication’s effects, the user applies this patch to their skin. The patch should be taken off after a maximum of nine hours.
Focalin XR
One kind of methylphenidate found in Focalin and Focalin XR is called dextro-methylphenidate. Methylphenidate in this form is more active than in the usual form.
The long-acting version of focalin is called focalin XR.
This drug can be prescribed by a physician to patients of any age. The capsules can be opened, and the contents can be mixed with meals.
Adderall XR
The primary active component of Adderall XR, the extended-release version of Adderall, is dextro-amphetamine. For patients with ADHD who are children, adolescents, or adults, doctors can give this drug. Its long-acting nature allows it to control symptoms for a duration of 10 to 12 hours.
Occasionally, physicians will need to write a prescription for a short-acting amphetamine medication in order to manage symptoms later in the afternoon.
Vyvanse
Lisdexamfetamine, an inactive derivative of amphetamine, is present in vyvanse. A person’s body turns the inactive drug Vyvanse into dextroamphetamine when they take it. Vyvanse and Adderall XR have comparable effects.
When taking Vyvanse, children can control their ADHD symptoms for 13 hours. Adult users of Vyvanse can manage their symptoms for up to 14 hours.
Dexedrine and Dexedrine Spansules
Dextro-amphetamine is present in Dexedrine and Dexedrine Spansules.
Since the Dexedrine pills only last 3-5 hours and the capsules last approximately 6-8 hours, users typically use the latter after the long-acting medication wears off later in the day.
Xelstrym
In 2022, the FDA approved Xelstrym, an amphetamine patch, to treat ADHD. Dextroamphetamine, the active component of Dexedrine and Dexedrine Spansules, is present in it.
The patch should be worn for a maximum of nine hours each day after it is applied. One patch should be applied daily by the user.
Mydayis
A more recent combination of amphetamine and dextroamphetamine is called Mydayis. It is a capsule that is usually taken first thing in the morning.
The longer-acting nature of this drug sets it apart from other amphetamine formulations.
Adzenys ER, Adzenys XR-ODT, and Dyanavel XR
These drugs are long-acting amphetamine formulations that are permitted for use in adults above the age of six. They are usually taken in the morning, once a day.
Adzenys XR-ODT is a tablet that dissolves quickly and can be used without water. Liquid versions of Adzenys ER and Dyanavel XR are available.
