While these drugs contain distinct main ingredients, they treat the same types of problems.
Ritalin and Adderall differ in dosage and the length of time they work in the body to relieve symptoms.
They both, though, can trigger asubstance use disorderfor those at risk.
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These drugs may also cause harm to pregnant women.
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What Do Ritalin and Adderall Treat?
These drugs cause increased neurotransmitter activity that promotes alertness, energy, and attention.
For people with ADHD, they enable a calming effect.
Narcolepsy
Narcolepsy is a chronic neurological sleep disorder that interferes with the normal sleep-wake cycle.
It can cause excessivedaytime sleepinessthat lasts from a few seconds to several minutes.
Episodes can occur up to several times each day.
Those affected are also unable to maintain normal sleep cycles during the night.
They can also affect the brain levels of serotonin and norepinephrine, neurotransmitters that also support wakefulness.
Ritalin
Ritalin is one of the brand names for the CNS stimulantmethylphenidate.
This medication is taken orally two to three times daily before eating.
Ritalin-LA is available as 10 mg, 20 mg, 30 mg, and 40 mg capsules.
Stimulants like Ritalin impact levels of neurotransmitters in your brain.
Neurotransmitters regulate body functions, moods, emotions, and anxiety levels.
Side Effects
The most common side effects of Ritalin are nervousness and insomnia.
Side effects can vary based on drug interactions or your reaction to this drug.
Drug Interactions
Ritalin can interact with many types of drugs.
Your healthcare provider can review whether you should modify existing drugs when taking this medication.
However, it has a high potential for overdose, abuse, and dependence when misused at higher doses.
Some teenagers and young adults misuse it to discover what Ritalin feels like.
Like other Schedule II drugs, Ritalin and Adderall may only be distributed under prescription.
This medication is taken orally two to three times daily at intervals of four to six hours.
The average total dosage for adults is 40 mg or less.
This drug can be taken with or without food.
The primary side effects of Adderall can include an irregular or fast heartbeat and increased blood pressure.
Side effects can vary based on drug interactions or your individual reaction to this drug.
Adderall can interact with many types of drugs.
Your healthcare provider can review whether you should modify existing drugs when taking this medication.
Adderall may interact with many of the same types of drugs that can cause problems with Ritalin.
Misusing this or any other prescription stimulant can lead to a substance abuse disorder.
However, these students may be putting themselves at risk for little reward.
Instead, they increase the risk of long-term physical and mental problems among the healthy people who use them.
What Happens if You Take Ritalin or Adderall Without ADHD?
There is a misconception that stimulants like Ritalin or Adderall can enhance cognitive performance.
Since Adderall stays in your body longer, it controls symptoms with fewer doses.
How Much Ritalin Is Equal to Adderall?
Neither of these drugs is stronger than the other.
Ritalin begins to work faster but lasts for a shorter time than Adderall.
Adderall takes longer to work but remains in your system longer.
A 5 mg dose of Adderall is equivalent to 10 mg of Ritalin.
Most insurance plansincluding Medicaid and Medicarecover a percentage of the price of both drugs when prescribed for approved conditions.
Like other medications, the generic forms of these drugs usually cost less than the brand-name versions.
The cost of Ritalin and Adderall are relatively close.
Consider the following strategies to help lower costs:
What About Vyvanse?
Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine dimesylate) is a stimulant used to treat ADHD in children age 6 years and older.
It is also prescribed to treat moderate to severebinge eating disorder (BED)in adults.
Vyvanse is an amphetamine drug like Adderall.
It works by affecting the neurotransmitters dopamine and norepinephrine.
It is a Schedule II drug, which can be addictive and lead to substance abuse disorder over time.
Vyvanse is administered as a once-daily, timed-release capsule or chewable tablet in an extended-release only.
It lasts 10 to 14 hours.
There is no generic drug for Vyvanse, which means it can be more expensive than other ADHD drugs.
Vyvanse is different from other ADHD medicationsbecause it is a prodrug.
Summary
Ritalin and Adderall treat ADHD and narcolepsy by changing the balance of certain brain chemicals.
The result can safely bring relief to people dealing with symptoms of these life-changing problems.
While these medications use different drugs, they both work as central nervous system stimulants.
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