Adult ADHD Drugs
Stimulants are the common medicines used to treat ADD and ADHD. Where, Methylphenidate is the most common stimulant. The drugs such as Metadate CD®, Metadate ER®, Concerta®, Ritalin SR® and Ritalin LA® used for the treatment of ADHD contains Methylphenidate.
Following are some drugs approved to treat ADHD and ADD:
- Adderall, Adderall XR: It is a small pill that contains dextroamphetamine and amphetamine. It comes in different strengths in the form of tablets and capsules. Now it is replaced by various new products such as Vyvanse.
Prescription information: The use of Adderall drug for long term use has not succeeded to evaluate the effectiveness. But there may be revaluation in some individual patients if the use of drug extended for some period. The dosage should be lowest and should be adjusted according to therapeutic needs and the response given by patient. However, the drug is not recommended for children under 3 years of age. For the children from 3 to 5 ages the dosage should start with 2.5mg daily. The dosage increases with 2.5mg at weekly intervals.
- Daytrana: Daytrana is very different than other medication used in ADHD. It is applied to the skin that helps to improve compliance of patient and also reduce side effects.
- Concentra (methylphenidate HCL): Concentra has methylphenidate as the active ingredient like various other drugs used in the treatment of ADHD. It has a special time release technology that differentiates it from other methylphenidate pills.
Priscription method: It is central nervous system stimulant and available as the tablets. These aretaken orally that have twelve hour duration of effect.
- Focalin XR (dexmethylphenidate hydrochloride): It is extended release capsule.
Prescription method: There is propriety SODAS technology in Facalin XR. It is available as 5, 10, 15 and 20mg as capsules that is provided in the single dose.
- Detxroamphetamine: It is nothing but a generic version of Dexadrine.
- Metadate CD (methylphenidate HCL, USP): It is another ADHD drug having methylphenidate as its active ingredient.
Prescription method: It is also the stimulant of central nervous system and is taken orally. This drug is provided as immediate release (IR) in 30 % of dose and 70 % dose by extended release (ER).
- Methylin (methylphnidate HCL): Methylin tablets are the chewable tablets that come with 2.5mg, 5mg and 10mg. It is also having methylphenidate as its active ingredient.
Prescription method: Methylin is mild stimulant of central nervous system that comes in chewable tablets of 2.5mg, 5mg and 10mg. It is also soluble in water.
- Ritalin, Ritalin SR and Ritalin LA: Ritalin is the first product that uses methylphenidate as its active ingredient. However, these days it is not used much.
Prescription method: These are also mild central nervous system stimulants. The drugs are available as the tablets of 5, 10 and 20 mg that are taken orally.
- Vyvanse (Lisdexamfetamine): It is pro drug that has no physiologic activity. But it can be transformed in the body as it metabolize by the body. It is available as capsules in 20 mg, 30mg, 40mg, 50mg, 60mg, and 70 mg.
Prescription method: It is designed as the capsule that is taken once a day orally.
