Stimulants are the best and most common type of medication used to treat ADHD. There are only two stimulant medications, methylphenidate (the active ingredient in Ritalin, Concerta and other formulations) and amphetamine (the active ingredient in Adderall, Vyvanse and other formulations).
The most popular ADHD medications among ADDitude readers include (in alphabetical order): Adderall XR (amphetamine) Concerta (methylphenidate) Dexedrine (amphetamine)
Stimulants are the best-known and most widely used ADHD medications. Between 70-80% of children with ADHD have fewer ADHD symptoms when taking these fast-acting medications.
FDA Approves Xelstrym to Treat ADHD
Key takeaways: In March 2022, Xelstrym (dextroamphetamine) became the first FDA-approved amphetamine patch to treat ADHD in adults and children at least 6 years of age. Common side effects of Xelstrym include a smaller appetite, trouble sleeping, and headache.
Results showed that ADHD symptoms improved more with lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse/Shire) than with several other ADHD medications; however, methylphenidate immediate release (Ritalin/Novartis, others) was judged the best tolerated.
In April 2021, the FDA approved viloxazine (Qelbree) for treatment of ADHD in patients aged 6 to 17 years. Like atomoxetine hydrochloride (Strattera), Qelbree is a selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI).
Short-acting stimulants (which wear off after about 4 hours) include Artige, Concerta and Ritalin 10. Long-acting options (which last around 8-12 hours) include Concerta Extended-Release Tablets, Ritalin LA and Vyvanse.
ADHD Medication Summary
Concerta and Ritalin share the same active ingredient. However, Ritalin is a short-acting stimulant that boosts focus and attention quickly. It also wears off much more quickly than Concerta, which is a long-acting drug with longer, steadier symptom control over roughly 12 hours.
Treatment. Standard treatments for ADHD in children include medications, behavior therapy, counseling and education services. These treatments can relieve many of the symptoms of ADHD , but they don't cure it. It may take some time to determine what works best for your child.
Many ADHD stimulant medications contain methylphenidate, an ingredient that works by increasing dopamine levels in the brain. Long-term studies have demonstrated that methylphenidate is safe and effective, so these medications are popular choices.
Is Vyvanse or Ritalin better? Both Vyvanse and Ritalin have been proven effective in treating ADHD. Studies show that Vyvanse may show a greater improvement in symptomatology, but Ritalin is more cost-effective and leads to a lower rate of side effects.
In Australia, the psychostimulant medications mainly used to treat ADHD are dexamfetamine, methylphenidate and lisdexamfetamine. Methylphenidate is available as a short-acting preparation (e.g. Ritalin®) and as a long-acting or extended release preparation (e.g. Ritalin LA®, Concerta®).
Lisdexamfetamine is available as Vyvance in Australia, and is noted to be one of the longest acting medication on the Australian market. Other stimulant medications are used to treat ADHD overseas but are not available in Australia (eg. Adderall).
ADHD Assessment & Treatment Centres
To legally protect the rights of people with ADHD in Australia, under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (DDA), a person's ADHD must be classed as a disability according to the criteria as specified in the DDA.
Without PBS subsidy, patients might pay more than $1,200 per year for treatment. They will now pay $41.30 per script, or $6.60 with a concession card. ADHD can look different in adults, with some symptoms overlooked.
JORNAY PM is taken in the evening and uses a unique delayed-release and extended-release technology to keep it from working for about 10 hours after it is taken. It is proven to control ADHD symptoms from the time of waking up—and it lasts throughout the day.
Stimulant medications for ADHD
The stimulant class of medication includes widely used drugs such as Ritalin, Adderall, Focalin, and Dexedrine. Stimulants are believed to work by increasing dopamine levels in the brain. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter associated with motivation, pleasure, attention, and movement.
Adderall XR is the longer-lasting form, designed to be effective for 10-12 hours.
Both medications work in similar ways in the brain and have similar side effects. The primary difference is that Ritalin works quickly and reaches peak performance earlier than does Adderall, which stays in the system longer. “One molecule is not intrinsically better or to be preferred over the other,” says Dr.
Answer: Using caffeine, either in a drink or in an over-the-counter preparation, is not recommended by medical experts as a treatment for ADHD. Although some studies have shown that caffeine may improve concentration in adults with ADHD, it is not as effective as medication.
Anyone over age 5 should start taking medication and get behavioral therapy as soon as they are diagnosed. Children under 5 should start with behavioral treatment before taking any medications. Still, many experts worry that the role of medication in treatment is too large.