Ritalin vs. Adderall: Differences, Side Effects & Abuse
Both children and adults can be diagnosed with ADHD. It is a condition which many people need to understand and have more knowledge of. There are many times that children ages 4 to 6 become diagnosed with the disorder. However, some adults don’t get diagnosed with the disorder until much later in life. Everyone could benefit from gaining a better medical understanding of the condition, especially in cases of young children.
These days more children are becoming diagnosed with ADHD and being prescribed medication for the disorder. Adderall and ritalin are among the medications prescribed for ADHD. Most adults and children respond well to these medications because the chemicals in their brains react slightly different to stimulants which increase attentiveness along with physical control. However, these types of prescription medications are usually diverted for non-medical abuse among their peers.
Many studies show approximately 80 percent of people who have ADHD do very well when they combine behavioral therapy and stimulant medications. In addition, research shows that about half of these people get results taking either type of stimulant, as long as they are receiving the right dosage. On the other hand, the other half of these people find adderall or ritalin to be more effective and beneficial from one to the other.
Facts About Adderall
Adderall contains a combination of two different stimulants, dextroamphetamine and amphetamine. It is commonly prescribed to treat people with ADHD. It is also sometimes used to treat narcolepsy. However, you should know this is not designated on the label. Adderall was first used as a prescription medication in the 1960’s. It has gained a lot of popularity in the past few decades. Some studies indicate adderall prescriptions written out for children with ADHD between 2002 and 2010 rose about 40 percent and continues to rise every year. If you or your loved one is taking this medication, you should know their are some side effects associated with it. Some of these include the following:
- Nausea
- Dizziness
- Headaches
- Stomach aches
- Dry mouth
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Sleeping issues
- Low appetite
- Weight loss
- Restlessness
Some people also experience nervousness, anxiety, and other types of side effects. Adderall can be habit forming. This means a person could become dependent on the medication. If you have found yourself depending on it, the best thing to do is seek help from a luxury drug and alcohol addiction treatment center today.
Facts About Ritalin
Similar to adderall, the drug ritalin is also one of the prescription stimulant drugs. It is also used to treat ADHD. Ritalin is the brand name for the drug methylphenidate hydrochloride which is a distant relation to methamphetamine. Ritalin is also used occasionally to treat narcolepsy. This is on an off label basis. This medication came out in the 1990’s after medical experts gained more knowledge about the ADHD disorder. There are also some mild side effects associated with ritalin. Some of them include the following:
- Nervousness
- Jitteriness
- Headaches
- Aches in stomach
- Issues with sleeping
- Nausea
These mild side effects might last a few days or much longer. You should also know there are some more serious side effects associated with the drug. Some of these include the following:
- Aches in abdominal area
- Rapid weight loss
- Fevers
- Dizziness
- Irregular heart beat
- Heart palpitations
- Blurriness in vision
- Seizures
If you or a loved one is struggling with side effects of ritalin the best thing to do is contact your doctor to get help for them.
Differences and Similarities Between Ritalin and Adderall
have many similar characteristics, starting with both of them being stimulants. In addition, both of these medications can be prescribed in short or long acting doses. The long acting versions of them might vary slightly. For example, when ritalin comes in the extended release version, it generally lasts an average of 6 to 12 hours. This is compared to adderall, which lasts for about 10 to 12 hours.
People who choose to abuse either adderall or ritalin will notice some variations in negative side effects. For example, adderall affects a person’s sex drive more than ritalin. It causes erections which last longer than normal. However, ritalin might cause stronger abdominal cramping, pains, and problems. Many people taking ritalin also tend to undergo more episodes of nervousness and insomnia.
In addition, adderall and ritalin vary in the way in which they interact with various pre-existing conditions. Adderall has a negative impact on certain medical conditions such as high blood pressure, arteriosclerosis, and some forms of heart disease. Ritalin enhances symptoms of various conditions such as anxiety, tourette syndrome, glaucoma, and verbal or physical tics. Both of these medications might put a strain and negative impact on pregnancy. They both might trigger addiction for those who have addiction tendencies. This might put certain people at a higher risk of becoming addicted to these medications.
Ritalin and adderall are commonly prescribed for people with ADHD. They can be effective medications for those suffering with an ADHD disorder. However, there are some side effects associated with both of these medications. If you are taking either one of these drugs and experience serious side effects, the best way to handle the situation is to consult a medical professional for help.
