Ritalin vs Adderall: understand your option for ADHD

Ritalin (methylphenidate) and Adderall (amphetamine/dextroamphetamine) are some of the most prescribed medications for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). And if you’re considering ADHD medication to treat your symptoms, comparing Ritalin vs Adderall can help understand your options.  

In this article, learn everything you need to know about these 2 stimulant ADHD medications. Discover what the research, real users, and providers say about Ritalin and Adderall. Also compare dosages, costs, and side effects.

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Ritalin vs Adderall: is one better for ADHD?

Ritalin and Adderall are both stimulant ADHD medications — and they’re popular. Over 50% of ADHD medication prescriptions in 2022 were for amphetamine/dextroamphetamine-based drugs, like Adderall. Methylphenidate-based meds, like Ritalin, made up 18% of ADHD prescriptions that year. 

Learn more in the ADHD medication guide.

But how effective are Adderall and Ritalin? And is 1 better for ADHD? Here’s what the research, real users, and providers say about Ritalin vs Adderall.

What research says about Ritalin vs Adderall

There haven’t been direct studies comparing Adderall and Ritalin in adults. But studies comparing Ritalin vs Adderall in children show that both drugs improve ADHD symptoms and productivity. Participants who took Adderall showed greater improvement in symptoms than those who took Ritalin. And the lowest dose of Adderall produced similar effects to the highest dose of Ritalin.

An analysis of Ritalin vs Adderall in adults and children found that Ritalin is less potent than Adderall. It also found though that Ritalin is less likely to cause an energy crash or fatigue when it wears off but the effectiveness of each varies from person to person.

What users say about Adderall vs Ritalin

There isn’t much research that compares Adderall vs Ritalin in adults, so the experiences of actual ADHD patients can help you compare the 2. Reviews of Ritalin vs Adderall on Reddit, drugs.com, and WebMD provide insight into peoples’ experiences. 

Reddit user luxembird says the choice comes down to individual brain chemistry. “The amphetamine class works well for some folks but not others. Same deal with the methylphenidate class. Me and my brother are on the former, whereas my mom and sister are on the latter. Just gotta try it and find out.”

Another Reddit user, kjtstl, says Adderall is extremely effective for their unique ADHD symptoms. While Ritalin was less effective in their case, it caused fewer side effects. 

On drugs.com, reviewers rate Adderall as 7.4 out of 10. Real people give Ritalin a 7 out of 10. 65% of Adderall reviewers report a positive experience, compared to 57% of Ritalin reviewers. 

Here’s how the ratings for Ritalin vs Adderall on WebMD break down.

What doctors and providers say about Ritalin and Adderall

Data and real users suggest Adderall is more effective than Ritalin for ADHD. But, what do the doctors and providers who prescribe them say?

Psychiatrist Alan Koenigsberg, MD, posted on Quora that a physician chooses to prescribe Ritalin vs Adderall depending on their familiarity and comfort level with each medication. They also take into account your medical history and current medications.

The medication your provider prescribes may also depend on the type of ADHD you have. Dr. Chris Pagnani, MD, of Rittenhouse Psychiatric Associates in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, shares his expertise on YouTube. He says Adderall is typically preferred for people with significant hyperactivity symptoms. Meanwhile, Ritalin may be better for people who mainly struggle with inattention.

Ritalin vs Adderall at a glance

How do Ritalin and Adderall work for ADHD?

Ritalin and Adderall belong to the same medication class — central nervous system (CNS) stimulants. They work similarly in the body, but have different active ingredients and work differently. Both stimulants calm ADHD symptoms.

Ritalin’s active ingredient, methylphenidate, is also used in other ADHD medications, including Concerta, Quillivant, and Jornay PM.

Adderall is amphetamine-based. Its active ingredient is a combination of amphetamine and dextroamphetamine. Other amphetamine-based ADHD medications include Mydaysis, Evekeo, Adzenys XR-ODT, Dexedrine, and Zenzedi.

Both Ritalin and Adderall work to increase the amount of dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain. As neurotransmitters, dopamine and norepinephrine, act as chemical messengers.  Dopamine plays key roles in mood, motor function, attention, memory, and the brain’s reward system. Norepinephrine helps regulate your stress response, sleep-wake cycles, and blood pressure. 

Studies show some people with ADHD have too many dopamine receptors. This means any available dopamine is taken up into nerve cells in the brain, leaving little freely available to act as messengers. Ritalin increases the amount of available dopamine by blocking the brain’s receptors from absorbing it. This makes more more available for the brain’s neurons to use. 

People who take Ritalin report improved mood, motivation, and focus. They also have less impulsive behaviors.

People who take Adderall report that it improves impulsivity, mood, and focus. It also helps relieve restlessness.

Ritalin vs Adderall: the nitty-gritty — dosage, formulas, and generics

If you’re considering Ritalin or Adderall for ADHD, it’s important to understand the differences — not just in how they work for ADHD, but also in how you take them. 

Ritalin vs Adderall formulas

Both Ritalin and Adderall are available in immediate-release and extended-release oral forms.

Ritalin’s extended-release form is Ritalin LA., where LA stands for long-acting. It’s only approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in children 6 to 12 years old. Both Ritalin and Ritalin LA begin working within 20 to 30 minutes. But Ritalin lasts 4 to 6 hours, and Ritalin LA 10 to 14 hours.

Adderall’s extended-release form is Adderall XR. Compared to Ritalin, both Adderall XR and Adderall may take longer to start working — 30 to 60 minutes compared to 20 to 30. Adderall lasts 5 to 8 hours — longer than Ritalin. Adderall XR may not last as long as Ritalin LA. It typically lasts 10 to 12 hours compared to 10 to 14.

Generic Ritalin vs Adderall

All forms of Ritalin and Adderall are available as generic versions. 

Methylphenidate is an active ingredient in other ADHD medications. So, not all forms of generic methylphenidate are equivalent to Ritalin. You take methylphenidate immediate-release oral tablets if your provider prescribes generic Ritalin. For generic Ritalin LA, look for methylphenidate 50/50 extended-release oral capsules.

If you take generic Adderall, your options are amphetamine/dextroamphetamine oral tablets. Or amphetamine/dextroamphetamine extended-release oral capsules for Adderall XR.

Ritalin vs Adderall dosages

All forms of Ritalin and Adderall come in multiple dosages. Work with your provider on the best dose for you. 

When starting Ritalin or Adderall, the recommended dose for adults is 20 milligrams for any form. If you’re prescribed immediate-release forms, you can divide your dose and take it at different times of the day. Extended-release forms should be taken once a day in the morning. 

Regardless of the medication and form, your provider will increase your dose by 5 to 10 milligrams weekly until you find a maintenance dose that works for you. If you take Ritalin or Adderall, your maximum daily dose shouldn’t exceed 60 milligrams.

What does Ritalin vs Adderall cost?

Costs for Adderall and Ritalin shown below are for a 1-month supply according to drugs.com and with its discount applied.

What about side effects for Adderall vs Ritalin?

Ritalin and Adderall have different side effects. Both can make you nervous and cause insomnia. Ritalin is more likely to cause a fast or abnormal heartbeat. In contrast, Adderall more commonly causes stomach pain and decreased appetite.

As CNS stimulants — and Schedule II controlled substances — both Ritalin and Adderall come with a boxed warning. It’s the FDA’s most serious warning and indicates the potential for abuse, misuse, and addiction. You shouldn’t take Ritalin or Adderall if you have a history of substance abuse.

Other warnings for use of both drugs include risks to people with heart issues, new or worsening psychiatric problems or Tourette’s syndrome, and Reynaud’s syndrome. Ritalin can also cause painful, prolonged erections and glaucoma. Adderall may cause seizures or serotonin syndrome (a serious and potentially life-threatening condition that results from too much of the neurotransmitter). 

Key takeaway

• Ritalin and Adderall are both stimulant medications FDA-approved to treat ADHD. They’re also the most commonly prescribed ADHD medications. 
• Data, real users, and providers suggest that whether you take Ritalin vs Adderall is a personal choice. You likely have to try both to know which 1 works best for you.
• Both Ritalin and Adderall effectively reduce ADHD symptoms by increasing the amount of certain neurotransmitters in the brain. Each affects different neurotransmitters.

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