Australia offers stimulant medications like Methylphenidate (Ritalin, Concerta, Artige) and Dexamfetamine (Dexamphetamine), plus the long-acting stimulant Lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse) as first-line treatments, alongside non-stimulants like Atomoxetine (Strattera) and Guanfacine (Intuniv) for those who can't take stimulants, with strict regulations on prescribing psychostimulants. Due to high demand, some of these are experiencing significant shortages, affecting availability.
ADHD medications in Australia primarily include stimulants like methylphenidate (Ritalin, Concerta) and dexamfetamine/lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse) for focus, alongside non-stimulants such as atomoxetine (Strattera), clonidine (Catapres), and guanfacine (Intuniv) for alternative options. Prescribing is generally initiated by specialists (paediatricians, psychiatrists) but reforms are allowing qualified GPs to continue prescriptions for stable patients, with strict regulations and state-based approval processes.
When considering Ritalin vs. Dexedrine, both are regarded as very effective for treating ADHD. One difference between the two is that Ritalin is regarded as a safer option than other similar medications for treating ADHD and sleep disorders like narcolepsy in older adults.
Below are 10 medications doctors commonly prescribe for ADHD.
Concerta is only available in extended-release form, so it works a bit more gradually and is long-acting. Ritalin works more quickly, but the effects are shorter-lasting, so you have to take two or three doses of it per day. However, extended-release Ritalin is available.
Concerta is not necessarily stronger than other ADHD medications. It contains the drug methylphenidate, while Dexedrine contains dextroamphetamine. 9 Ritalin is also in the methylphenidate group. The experience of taking a methylphenidate drug for ADHD may be different than that of taking Dexedrine.
The ADHD "30% Rule" is a guideline suggesting that executive functions (like self-regulation, planning, and emotional control) in people with ADHD develop about 30% slower than in neurotypical individuals, meaning a 10-year-old might function more like a 7-year-old in these areas, requiring adjusted expectations for maturity, task management, and behavior. It's a tool for caregivers and adults with ADHD to set realistic goals, not a strict scientific law, helping to reduce frustration by matching demands to the person's actual developmental level (executive age) rather than just their chronological age.
Atomoxetine and Viloxazine
Unlike stimulants, atomoxetine does not affect dopamine, a major neurotransmitter in the reward pathway of the brain. Because of this, atomoxetine has little misuse potential and is not a controlled substance.
The 20-minute rule for ADHD is a productivity strategy to overcome task paralysis by committing to work on a task for just 20 minutes, leveraging the brain's need for dopamine and short bursts of focus, making it easier to start and build momentum, with the option to stop or continue after the timer goes off, and it's a variation of the Pomodoro Technique, adapted for ADHD's unique challenges like time blindness. It helps by reducing overwhelm, providing a clear starting point, and creating a dopamine-boosting win, even if you only work for that short period.
For people without ADHD, dexamphetamine often causes overstimulation, anxiety, and hyperactivity, actually decreasing focus and performance on complex tasks, unlike its calming effect in ADHD. Common effects include increased energy, alertness, mood, and confidence, but also side effects like nausea, fast heartbeat, insomnia, and irritability, with serious risks for heart problems or psychosis with misuse.
Australia is currently experiencing a significant shortage of commonly prescribed ADHD medications, including Concerta®, Ritalin LA®, Teva-XR®, and Rubifen LA®. These shortages are expected to continue into late 2026 due to global manufacturing delays, supply chain disruptions, and increased demand.
Ritalin works by increasing the amount of dopamine released in the striatum, a key region in the brain related to motivation, action and cognition.
The 24-hour rule for ADHD is a self-regulation strategy to combat impulsivity by creating a mandatory waiting period (often a full day) before reacting to emotionally charged situations or making significant decisions, allowing time for reflection and reducing regretful snap judgments, especially for things like impulse purchases or arguments. It's a pause button that gives the brain space to process, move from impulse to intention, and evaluate choices more logically, helping manage ADHD's impact on emotional regulation and decision-making.
Increase stress relief by exercising outdoors—people with ADHD often benefit from sunshine and green surroundings. Try relaxing forms of exercise, such as mindful walking, yoga, or tai chi. In addition to relieving stress, they can teach you to better control your attention and impulses.
A specialist general practitioner (specialist GP)* may prescribe psychostimulants for the treatment of: ADHD for an adult aged 18 years or over, up to the maximum daily dose for the medicine. Brain injury for a child under 18 years of age.
The 10-3 rule for ADHD is a productivity strategy involving 10 minutes of focused work followed by a 3-minute break, designed to match the ADHD brain's need for short bursts of effort, making tasks less overwhelming and procrastination easier to manage by building momentum with quick, structured intervals. It helps individuals with ADHD ease into tasks, offering a tangible goal (10 mins) and an immediate reward (3 mins) to keep focus without burnout, often incorporating movement or preferred activities during breaks.
Side effects of ADHD medications can include sleep problems, decreased appetite, delayed growth, headaches and nausea, tics, moodiness, and rebound (irritability when the medication wears off). Most side effects of ADHD medication can be managed by adjusting the dosage and/or schedule of the medicine.
Mild: Few symptoms are present other than the ones needed to meet the minimum diagnostic criteria. ADHD-related impairment is minimal. Moderate: The number of dominant symptoms and degree of impairment lies between “mild” and “severe.” Severe: There are many symptoms present, or a few that are particularly severe.
The ADHD "2-Minute Rule" suggests doing any task taking under two minutes immediately to build momentum, but it often backfires by derailing focus due to weak working memory, time blindness, and transition difficulties in people with ADHD. A better approach is to write down these quick tasks on a separate "catch-all" list instead of interrupting your main work, then schedule specific times to review and tackle them, or use a slightly longer timeframe like a 5-minute rule to prevent getting lost down "rabbit holes".
The top 3 core symptoms of ADHD are inattention (difficulty focusing, staying organized), hyperactivity (excess restlessness, excessive movement), and impulsivity (acting without thinking, poor self-control). People with ADHD often experience a combination of these, though some might primarily struggle with inattention (inattentive type) or hyperactivity/impulsivity (hyperactive-impulsive type).
Dexies, known by the chemical name dextroamphetamine, and Adderall, which combines dextroamphetamine and amphetamine, are both stimulant medications typically prescribed to treat ADHD in children and adults.
Concerta blocks the reuptake of dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain. In this way, it allows more dopamine and norepinephrine to hang around in the brain for longer.
Is ADHD a disability? Yes, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) considers ADHD a developmental disability. The condition can affect your child's ability to do their daily activities, including learning at school. Your child may qualify for special education and/or modified instruction in school.