Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsDifferencesUsesSide EffectsContraindicationsDosageInteractions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Differences
Uses
Side Effects
Contraindications
Dosage
Interactions
Concerta (methylphenidate) and Adderall (amphetamine/dextroamphetamine) are prescription drugs classified as central nervous system (CNS) stimulants that are used for the treatment ofattention deficit hyperactivity syndrome (ADHD)andnarcolepsy.
This article describes the similarities and differences between Concerta and Adderall, including their indications for use, side effects, dosages, and interactions.
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Concerta vs Adderall: Key Similarities and Differences
Concerta and Adderall are both CNS stimulants that increase levels of dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain. Increases in dopamine and norepinephrine are associated with improvements in attention, alertness, mood, memory, and the regulation of thesleep-wake cycle.
Beyond differences in their active ingredients, Concerta and Adderall differ in other key ways:
When to Use Concerta vs. Adderall
Treatment of ADHD
ADHD is a chronic condition that is not curable but is treatable.Concerta and Adderall can improve symptoms such as difficulty focusing, controlling actions, and remaining still or quiet as other people of the same age.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), children 6 and over who are diagnosed with ADHD should undergo medication and behavioral therapy. For children under 6, behavioral therapy alone is recommended.
For adults, themanagement of ADHDmay also includemental health counselingin addition to medications to improve social and workplace skills. Even so, medications are less commonly used in adults than in children.
In addition to CNS stimulants like Concerta and Adderall, ADHD may be treated with antidepressants like Wellbutrin (bupropion) and non-stimulants likeStrattera (atomoxetine).
Treatment of Narcolepsy
Similar to ADHD, narcolepsy is also treatable but not curable.
Narcolepsy is most likely to affect young adults in their late and early 20s. While treatment may be prescribed to people younger than this, it is uncommon in children under 12 years.
Lifestyle changes, like improvements in sleep hygiene, are sometimes effective in treating narcolepsy. If these fail, medications may be added to the treatment plan. These include CNS stimulants like Concerta or Adderall and antidepressants likeEffexor XR (venlafaxine).
Adderall XR is not approved for the treatment of narcolepsy.
Side Effects and Safety
Concerta and Adderall are generally safe drugs when taken as prescribed. However, both share common and severe side effects.
Side effects can vary from person to person and between one CNS stimulant and the next. For this reason, you may be able to switch from one drug to another if the side effects are intolerable.
Common Side Effects
Common side effects associated with the consumption of Concerta and Adderall include:
Severe Side Effects
While uncommon, Concerta and Adderall can cause potentially serious side effects, including:
Contact a healthcare provider immediately if you experience signs or symptoms of any of these conditions.
Though usually temporary, Concerta and Adderall can also cause delayed growth in young children.
Boxed WarningAboxed warningis the FDA’s highest level of warning about the dangers of a drug. Both Concerta and Adderall carry a boxed warning advising consumers about a high potential for abuse and dependence. The overuse of the drugs has been linked to rare cases of heart attack, stroke, and sudden death.If you have signs of dependence—such as taking higher doses than intended or being unable to quit despite the negative effects the drug has on your life—ask your provider for a referral to an addiction treatment specialist or call 1-800-662-HELP (4357) for a referral in your area.
Boxed Warning
Aboxed warningis the FDA’s highest level of warning about the dangers of a drug. Both Concerta and Adderall carry a boxed warning advising consumers about a high potential for abuse and dependence. The overuse of the drugs has been linked to rare cases of heart attack, stroke, and sudden death.If you have signs of dependence—such as taking higher doses than intended or being unable to quit despite the negative effects the drug has on your life—ask your provider for a referral to an addiction treatment specialist or call 1-800-662-HELP (4357) for a referral in your area.
Aboxed warningis the FDA’s highest level of warning about the dangers of a drug. Both Concerta and Adderall carry a boxed warning advising consumers about a high potential for abuse and dependence. The overuse of the drugs has been linked to rare cases of heart attack, stroke, and sudden death.
If you have signs of dependence—such as taking higher doses than intended or being unable to quit despite the negative effects the drug has on your life—ask your provider for a referral to an addiction treatment specialist or call 1-800-662-HELP (4357) for a referral in your area.
Who Shouldn’t Take Concerta or Adderall?
Concerta and Adderall are not for everyone. The absolute contraindications for both drugs include:
Other contraindications for Adderall IR and Adderal XR include:
Concerta is contraindicated in people with a family history of tics and Tourette’s syndrome.
How to Take Concerta vs. Adderall
As a rule, CNS stimulants are started on a lower dose and gradually increased, if needed, to achieve the desired effect. There is a maximum dose you can take per day in milligrams (mg) that you should never exceed.
Concerta Dosage
Concerta is available as a tablet and taken as follows:
It should be noted that Concerta cannot be broken, chewed, or split. This can make Concerta less attractive for people who cannot swallow pills.
Adderall Dosage
Adderall IR is available as a tablet and chewable, while Adderall XR comes as a capsule.
Adderall IRis dosed as follows:
Adderall XRis dosed as follows:
Adderall XR capsules can be broken open and sprinkled over applesauce for people who cannot swallow pills.
Drug Interactions
Concerta and Adderall can interact with certain drugs. Some of these interactions can be serious. Advise your healthcare providers if you take any of the following before starting treatment:
Your healthcare provider may need to change the drug dose or find a drug substitute to avoid interactions.
Summary
Concerta, Adderall IR, and Adderall XR are three stimulants approved for the treatment of ADHD in adults and children 6 years and over. Concerta and Adderall XR can be taken once daily, while Adderall IR may require multiple doses per day.
Concerta and Adderall IR can also be used to treat narcolepsy. Adderall XR cannot.
10 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Treatment of ADHD.DailyMed.Label: Concerta- methylphenidate hydrochloride tablet, extended release.DailyMed.Label: Adderall- dextroamphetamine saccharate, amphetamine aspartate, dextroamphetamine sulfate, and amphetamine sulfate tablet.DailyMed.Label: Adderall XR- dextroamphetamine sulfate, dextroamphetamine saccharate, amphetamine sulfate and amphetamine aspartate capsule, extended release.United States Department of Justice. Drug Enforcement Agency.Controlled substance schedules.Vuori M, Koski-Pirilä A, Martikainen JE, Saastamoinen L.Gender- and age-stratified analyses of ADHD medication use in children and adolescents in Finland using population-based longitudinal data, 2008-2018.Scand J Public Health. 2020;48(3):303-307. doi:10.1177/1403494820901426National Institute of Neurological Disorders.Narcolepsy fact sheet.Brown KA, Samuel S, Patel DR.Pharmacologic management of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in children and adolescents: A review for practitioners.Transl Pediatr. 2018;7(1):36-47. doi:10.21037/tp.2017.08.02MedlinePlus.Methylphenidate.MedlinePlus.Dextroamphetamine and amphetamine.
10 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Treatment of ADHD.DailyMed.Label: Concerta- methylphenidate hydrochloride tablet, extended release.DailyMed.Label: Adderall- dextroamphetamine saccharate, amphetamine aspartate, dextroamphetamine sulfate, and amphetamine sulfate tablet.DailyMed.Label: Adderall XR- dextroamphetamine sulfate, dextroamphetamine saccharate, amphetamine sulfate and amphetamine aspartate capsule, extended release.United States Department of Justice. Drug Enforcement Agency.Controlled substance schedules.Vuori M, Koski-Pirilä A, Martikainen JE, Saastamoinen L.Gender- and age-stratified analyses of ADHD medication use in children and adolescents in Finland using population-based longitudinal data, 2008-2018.Scand J Public Health. 2020;48(3):303-307. doi:10.1177/1403494820901426National Institute of Neurological Disorders.Narcolepsy fact sheet.Brown KA, Samuel S, Patel DR.Pharmacologic management of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in children and adolescents: A review for practitioners.Transl Pediatr. 2018;7(1):36-47. doi:10.21037/tp.2017.08.02MedlinePlus.Methylphenidate.MedlinePlus.Dextroamphetamine and amphetamine.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Treatment of ADHD.DailyMed.Label: Concerta- methylphenidate hydrochloride tablet, extended release.DailyMed.Label: Adderall- dextroamphetamine saccharate, amphetamine aspartate, dextroamphetamine sulfate, and amphetamine sulfate tablet.DailyMed.Label: Adderall XR- dextroamphetamine sulfate, dextroamphetamine saccharate, amphetamine sulfate and amphetamine aspartate capsule, extended release.United States Department of Justice. Drug Enforcement Agency.Controlled substance schedules.Vuori M, Koski-Pirilä A, Martikainen JE, Saastamoinen L.Gender- and age-stratified analyses of ADHD medication use in children and adolescents in Finland using population-based longitudinal data, 2008-2018.Scand J Public Health. 2020;48(3):303-307. doi:10.1177/1403494820901426National Institute of Neurological Disorders.Narcolepsy fact sheet.Brown KA, Samuel S, Patel DR.Pharmacologic management of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in children and adolescents: A review for practitioners.Transl Pediatr. 2018;7(1):36-47. doi:10.21037/tp.2017.08.02MedlinePlus.Methylphenidate.MedlinePlus.Dextroamphetamine and amphetamine.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Treatment of ADHD.
DailyMed.Label: Concerta- methylphenidate hydrochloride tablet, extended release.
DailyMed.Label: Adderall- dextroamphetamine saccharate, amphetamine aspartate, dextroamphetamine sulfate, and amphetamine sulfate tablet.
DailyMed.Label: Adderall XR- dextroamphetamine sulfate, dextroamphetamine saccharate, amphetamine sulfate and amphetamine aspartate capsule, extended release.
United States Department of Justice. Drug Enforcement Agency.Controlled substance schedules.
Vuori M, Koski-Pirilä A, Martikainen JE, Saastamoinen L.Gender- and age-stratified analyses of ADHD medication use in children and adolescents in Finland using population-based longitudinal data, 2008-2018.Scand J Public Health. 2020;48(3):303-307. doi:10.1177/1403494820901426
National Institute of Neurological Disorders.Narcolepsy fact sheet.
Brown KA, Samuel S, Patel DR.Pharmacologic management of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in children and adolescents: A review for practitioners.Transl Pediatr. 2018;7(1):36-47. doi:10.21037/tp.2017.08.02
MedlinePlus.Methylphenidate.
MedlinePlus.Dextroamphetamine and amphetamine.
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