Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat Is Concerta?What Is Ritalin?Which Is More Effective?Taking Concerta vs. RitalinManaging ADHDSide EffectsInteractionsFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
What Is Concerta?
What Is Ritalin?
Which Is More Effective?
Taking Concerta vs. Ritalin
Managing ADHD
Side Effects
Interactions
Frequently Asked Questions
A diagnosis ofattention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)can be life-altering news that can significantly affect the day-to-day life of yourself or a loved one.
To best manage the symptoms associated with thisneurodevelopmental condition, you may pursue a holistic approach to treatment that includes rethinking diet, beginning mental health counseling, or seeking aprescription drug regimen—a common approach to treating ADHD.
As such, healthcare providers may prescribe Concerta or Ritalin: two brand-name medications that containmethylphenidate, a stimulant drug used to treat ADHD.
While both drugs are commonly prescribed and are considered effective, this article will highlight the similarities and differences between Concerta and Ritalin, examining specific indications, dosing regimens, storage requirements, potential side effects, and more.
Getty Images / Olga Shumytskaya.
Concerta is one brand-name version of methylphenidate, a stimulant medication. The drug is administered as an extended-release (ER) tablet, so it must only be taken once daily.
For context, a stimulant is defined as a drug that increases the activity of thecentral nervous system (CNS), or, conversely, containssympathomimetic- (increased heart rateorblood pressure) type effects.
Concerta is also available as a generic product called methylphenidate ER, administered as an orally consumed capsule.
How Does Concerta Work?
The ER administration system releases the medication into your body over the day slowly. Concerta, therefore, typically only needs to be taken once daily in the morning.
Ritalin is another version of the stimulant drug methylphenidate. It is an immediate-release (IR) tablet and is typically taken twice a day or three times daily in some cases.
There is another version of methylphenidate available called Ritalin LA. This is similar to Concerta in that it’s taken once daily and lasts longer than the IR version of Ritalin.
Both Ritalin and Ritalin LA are available as generic products.
How Does Ritalin Work?
Ritalin works to increase chemicals in your brain calledneurotransmitters, in turn increasing your attention and focus.
Through IR administration, IR drugs work quickly once consumed.
However, users must take multiple doses throughout the day, as their effects typically last only a few hours.
Concerta and Ritalin are both effective drugs for treating ADHD. Since they contain the same active ingredient, their comparative efficacy is similar.
In general, stimulants like Concerta and Ritalin are the most effective treatment for managing ADHD in children, teens, and adults.
However, the differences in how each is administered throughout the day may make one option more suitable for some than others.
As stated above, brand-name Ritalin is a short-acting stimulant that increases focus quickly.
Conversely, Ritalin wears off faster than Concerta, a long-acting drug with steadier symptom control that lasts about 12 hours.In comparison, Ritalin LA lasts around eight hours.
Potential users should work with their healthcare provider to determine which form of methylphenidate would work best for them, as a drug’s efficacy is linked to the users' ability to carry out the prescription as prescribed.
Overall, methylphenidate is a relatively well-tolerated stimulant option, but caution and diligence are necessary for using this medication to avoid potentially serious side effects andabuse or dependence.
Administration: Concerta vs. Ritalin
The table below summarizes the differences and similarities regarding how Concerta and Ritalin are traditionally taken:
What Are Other Ways to Help Manage ADHD?
ADHD can affect children, teenagers, and adults.
Symptoms include difficulty paying attention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity severe enough to impact everyday life.
We don’t know what causes ADHD, but possibilities include genetics, exposure during fetal development or childhood to certain environmental factors, and brain injury.
Behavior interventions, counseling, andtherapyare often tried before medication, particularly in children under 6 years old.
Medication is undoubtedly another standard treatment for ADHD,andnon-stimulant drugsexist in addition to stimulants like Concerta and Ritalin, such as Intuniv (guanfacine),Strattera (atomoxetine),andQelbree (viloxazine).
Depending on your or your child’s condition and medical history, your healthcare provider may recommend one or more of these options instead of or in addition to stimulant medications.
Finally, multiple studies have shown that certainlifestyle habitsare more likely to occur in children and adults with ADHD.
Comparatively, certain habits that happen more often in people without ADHD include:
While this does not suggest that certain lifestyle habits cause or prevent ADHD, practicing and avoiding certain ones may help to improve symptoms.
Treatment of Narcolepsy
While not their primary use, stimulants like Ritalin and Concerta have a place in treatingnarcolepsybecause they promote wakefulness and focus.
Of note, both are FDA-approved for the treatment of narcolepsy.
More than being overtired, narcolepsy is a sleep condition in which a person experiences excessive sleepiness during the day and cannot stay awake, no matter the situation.
They may be used in addition to behavioral modification and other non-stimulant medicines.
Side Effects & Precautions
Like other stimulants, Concerta and Ritalin both possess the potential to cause side effects.
Fortunately, most existing side effects will typically disappear after taking the medication over several weeks to months.
If not, your healthcare provider may try to lower your dosage or switch to a different medication.
Common Side Effects
Some commonly experienced side effects of stimulant ADHD medications, such as Concerta and Ritalin, include the following:
Monitor your symptoms if you experience any side effects while taking other medication.
If you notice you grow continuously worse, contact your healthcare provider immediately.
Severe Side Effects
Side effects of Concerta and Ritalin that are less common but may potentially be more severe include the following:
In the case of a medical emergency resulting from using Concerta or Ritalin, call 911 immediately.
Who Should Avoid Concerta & Ritalin?
Stimulant drugs like Concerta and Ritalin are not for everyone.
Certain pre-existing conditions may necessitate other treatment options for ADHD, such as:
Potential for Interaction: Concerta vs. Ritalin
Concerta and Ritalin have very similar drug interactions.
Some of these include the following:
Examples of these drugs include the following:
Before starting any medication, ensure that your healthcare provider and pharmacist know all your medications and supplements, as some adjustments may need to be made.
Summary
Ritalin and Concerta are two versions of the same stimulant medication, methylphenidate, used to treat ADHD.
Concerta is an orally administered ER tablet taken just once a day. In comparison, Ritalin may be taken two or three times daily as an IR tablet or just once daily as a DR capsule called Ritalin LA.
While stimulants generally work well to control symptoms of ADHD, they can cause side effects such as appetite changes, trouble sleeping, nervousness or anxiety, and more potentially severe effects like worsening mental health conditions, heart problems, or abuse and dependence.
Per the boxed warning that applies to both drugs, there exists a considerable risk for those with a history of addictive or unstable substance use to become addicted to or to begin consuming Concerta or Ritalin in an unhealthy manner.Therefore, if you have a medical history that reflects the potential for addiction, speak to your healthcare provider before starting either drug.
Per the boxed warning that applies to both drugs, there exists a considerable risk for those with a history of addictive or unstable substance use to become addicted to or to begin consuming Concerta or Ritalin in an unhealthy manner.
Therefore, if you have a medical history that reflects the potential for addiction, speak to your healthcare provider before starting either drug.
Store Concerta and Ritalin at room temperature (68 to 77 degrees F) in a dry place, away from too much humidity.
If this is unavailable, you can mix the medicine with a substance like dirt or kitty litter, place the mixture in a sealed plastic bag and discard it in the household trash.
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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.
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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Treatment of ADHD.
DailyMed. Label:Concerta- methylphenidate hydrochloride tablet, extended release.
DailyMed.Label: Ritalin- methylphenidate hydrochloride tablet.
Drug Enforcement Agency.Drug fact sheet: stimulants.
DailyMed.Label: methylphenidate capsule, extended release.
Cortese S, Adamo N, Del Giovane C, et al.Comparative efficacy and tolerability of medications for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder in children, adolescents, and adults: a systematic review and network meta-analysis.Lancet Psychiatry. 2018;5(9):727-738. doi:10.1016/S2215-0366(18)30269-4
DailyMed.Label: Ritalin LA- methylphenidate hydrochloride capsule, extended release.
MedlinePlus.Methylphenidate.
Stevens JR, Wilens TE, Stern TA.Using stimulants for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: clinical approaches and challenges.Prim Care Companion CNS Disord. 2013;15(2):PCC.12f01472. doi:10.4088/PCC.12f01472
Prescribers' Digital Reference.Methylphenidate hydrochloride.
National Institute of Health.Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in children and teens: what you need to know.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Data and statistics on ADHD.
National Health Service.Treatment for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
DailyMed.Label: Intuniv- guanfacine tablet, extended release INTUNIV- guanfacine kit.
DailyMed.Label: Straterra- atomoxetine hydrochloride capsule.
DailyMed.Label: Qelbree- viloxazine hydrochloride capsule, extended release.
Holton KF, Nigg JT.The Association of Lifestyle Factors and ADHD in Children.J Atten Disord. 2020;24(11):1511-1520. doi:10.1177/1087054716646452
Schiappa C, Scarpelli S, D’Atri A, Gorgoni M, De Gennaro L.Narcolepsy and emotional experience: a review of the literature.Behav Brain Funct. 2018;26;14(1):19. doi:10.1186/s12993-018-0151-x
Barateau L, Dauvilliers Y.Recent advances in treatment for narcolepsy.Ther Adv Neurol Disord. 2019;26;12:1756286419875622. doi:10.1177/1756286419875622
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