The main difference between Ritalin and Adderall is that Ritalin acts quicker and reaches peak performance sooner, unlike Adderall, which is slower-acting.
DISCLAIMER: This article is intended to be informational and should not replace the advice of a medical professional. Always check with your doctor before using any medications. If you’re concerned about your ADHD symptoms, talk to your doctor.
ADHD, or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, is a common neurological disorder. Ritalin and Adderall are two popular medications employed for treating ADHD. Learn the differences between these two medications.
Table of Contents
Ritalin vs Adderall
| Ritalin | vs | Adderall |
| Methylphenidate | Key Ingredient | Dextroamphetamine and Levoamphetamine |
| Treats ADHD, postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome, and narcolepsy | Meant For | Used to treat ADHD and narcolepsy |
| Orally and transdermally | Administration | Orally, insufflation, or intravenously |
| Concerta, Methylin, and Ritalin | Other Names | Adderall and Adderall XR |
| Novartis | Manufactured By | Shire |
| Two to three hours | Active Hours Inside The Body | Four to six hours |
What is Ritalin?
Ritalin is a synthetic medication used to treat people who have ADHD.
Ritalin is the brand name, but the medicine is also sold under other trade names. It acts as one of the major central nervous system stimulants, which contains a chemical called methylphenidate.
It stimulates the brain chemicals linked with control and attention called dopamine and norepinephrine. Dopamine is a brain chemical associated with pleasure, and norepinephrine is associated with activities involving a fight.
Ritalin is used to treat ADHD in pediatric patients six years and older. Also, it is used to treat narcolepsy and postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome.
Ritalin’s main ingredient is chemical methylphenidate, which improves concentration and boosts cognitive ability. It’s available as a release tablet and can be consumed orally.
Side Effects of Ritalin
Methylphenidate is a chemical in Ritalin that helps control actions and improve concentration. Sometimes, users experience side effects while taking Ritalin.
Side effects vary from person to person and include:
- Dizziness
- Nervousness
- Nausea
- Back pain
- Irritability
- Difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep
- Decreased appetite
- Stomach pain
Some side effects can be severe and need to be consulted with a doctor immediately. These are:
- Fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeat
- Chest pain
- Excessive tiredness
- Fainting
- Seizures
- Changes in vision or blurred vision
- Agitation
What is Adderall?
Adderall is a brand name for amphetamine salts-based prescription medication used to treat ADHD and narcolepsy.
It contains two main drugs: amphetamine and dextroamphetamine.
It’s the first choice treatment for ADHD as it improves focus, reduces impulsive behavior, and increases attention. Being an addictive drug, it is usually found in two forms: oral tablets and XR oral capsules.
While oral tablets are an immediate-release form of the drug, oral capsules are an extended-release form.
Adderall’s Composition
Adderall contains a mixture of different forms of amphetamines and dextroamphetamine.
These are:
- Amphetamine aspartate
- Amphetamine sulfate
- Dextroamphetamine saccharate
- Dextroamphetamine sulfate
Side Effects of Adderall
Adderall is a drug used for treating neurological disorders. Sometimes, users experience side effects, ranging from mild to severe.
However, these side effects vary from person to person. Some mild side effects are:
- Fatigue
- Loss of appetite
- Anxiety
- Nausea
- Insomnia
- Weight loss
Some severe side effects of Adderall are:
- Heart problems, including increased heart rate, stroke, high blood pressure, and heart attack
- Hallucinations
- Agitated or aggressive behavior
- Irritability
- Blurred vision
Ritalin vs Adderall – Key Differences
Ritalin and Adderall are common medical prescriptions used to treat ADHD. However, they have got some significant differences. Here is a brief differentiation based on various parameters.
Key Ingredients
The critical ingredient of Adderall is mixed amphetamine salts – Dextroamphetamine and Levoamphetamine.
In contrast, Ritalin contains Methylphenidate as the Key Ingredient.
Intended Use
Adderall is used to treat ADHD and narcolepsy. On the other hand, Ritalin is meant to treat ADHD, postural tachycardia syndrome (PoTS,) and narcolepsy.
Both Ritalin and Adderall can be used to treat narcolepsy. However, Ritalin is considered a better choice for children and adolescents, while Adderall may be better for adults.
Administration
Adderall is administered orally, through insufflation, or intravenously. In contrast, Ritalin is administered orally and transdermally.
Other Names
Adderall is available by trade names Adderall and Adderall XR. In contrast, Ritalin is known by the trade names Concerta, Methylin, and Ritalin.
Manufactured By
The Shire manufactures Adderall, while Novartis manufactures Ritalin.
Active Hours Inside The Body
Adderall works for four to six hours in the body, whereas Ritalin is only active in a person’s body for two to three hours.
Differences Between Adderall and Ritalin
Adderall and Ritalin are two central nervous system (CNS) stimulant medical prescriptions used to treat ADHD. Their main differences are the key ingredients and active hours in the body.
While Ritalin has methylphenidate as its key Ingredient and lasts for two to three hours, Adderall has amphetamines and dextroamphetamine and lasts for four to six hours.
Both of them come in short or long-acting methods.
Talk to Your Doctor
Talk to your primary care physician if you want to explore treatment options for ADHD. If you’re concerned about using prescription drugs like the ones in this article or about drug abuse, reach out to your doctor.