Adderall vs. Concerta: Effectiveness, Duration, and Side Effects

Adderall and Concerta are two well-known stimulant medications used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). While there are many similarities between these two drugs and their effects on ADHD symptoms, there are important differences to consider in choosing which is right for you.

Key Points

• Adderall is the brand name for an amphetamine and dextroamphetamine combination medication that’s widely used to treat ADHD.
• Concerta is the brand name for methylphenidate, a stimulant drug used to treat ADHD.
• Adderall and Concerta can be effective for treating ADHD, but the drugs differ in their mechanism, their duration, their side effects, and their effectiveness.

What Is Adderall?

Adderall is the brand name for a medication that contains a combination of amphetamine and dextroamphetamine. It’s available only by prescription to treat ADHD and narcolepsy. The two drugs work together to stimulate activity in the central nervous system (CNS) and relieve symptoms like hyperactivity and poor impulse control.

What Is Concerta?

Concerta is the brand name for methylphenidate, a stimulant medication that’s used to treat ADHD. Concerta works by stimulating the production of neurotransmitters like norepinephrine and dopamine to improve the symptoms of ADHD.

Adderall vs. Concerta Dosage

Adderall and Concerta come in different dosages:

Adderall Dosages

• Adderall comes in an immediate-release (IR) dosage that’s prescribed at an initial dose of 5 mg orally once or twice a day for ADHD.[1] The dose is increased by 5 mg per week until symptoms are relieved. The maximum daily dose is 40 mg daily. Adderall IR may be prescribed at 10 mg orally in divided doses, increased by 10 mg each week, for narcolepsy.
• Adderall also comes in extended-release (XR) formulations that are prescribed at an initial dose of 20 mg once daily for ADHD.[2] Adderall XR isn’t used to treat narcolepsy.
• For children 3-5 years old, Adderall IR has an initial dose of 2.5 mg per day and is increased in 2.5 mg increments each week.[3] For children 6-7 years old, Adderall IR has an initial dose of 5 mg orally once or twice daily, then increased in 5 mg increments weekly.[4]
• For children 6-12 years old, Adderall XR has an initial dose of 5 to 10 mg once daily and is increased in 5 or 10 mg increments weekly.[5] For children 13-17 years old, Adderall XR has an initial dose of 10 mg orally once a day, then increased to 20 mg per day after one week.[6]

Concerta Dosages

• Concerta is prescribed at 18 mg once daily for adolescents and children as a starting dose, but then it may be increased until it has the desired effects. The maximum daily concerta dose is 54 mg daily for children 6-12 years old and 72 mg daily for adolescents and adults. This drug is not recommended for children under the age of 6 or adults over the age of 65.
• The adult dosage of Concerta is 18 mg or 36 mg daily.[7] The dosage is increased by 18 mg weekly until the maximum daily dose of 72 mg is reached.

Is Adderall or Concerta More Effective?

Studies have been conducted to determine if Adderall or Concerta is the better choice to treat ADHD. These studies are older, though, and showed statistically insignificant differences between Adderall and Concerta.[8] However, one trend emerged: some participants responded better to Concerta than Adderall, and vice versa.

Side Effects and Risks of Adderall vs. Concerta

Like all drugs, Adderall and Concerta have some side effects. Most of the common side effects are mild with either drug and subside as the body adjusts, but there is a risk of more serious side effects.

The common side effects of these drugs may include:[9,10]

• Stomach pain
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Dry mouth
• Sweating
• Headache
• Irritability

More serious side effects may include:

• Fainting
• Shortness of breath
• Hallucinations
• Numbness in fingers or toes
• Slowed growth in children
• Chest pain
• Violent thoughts or actions

Psychosis is possible but rare with both Adderall and Concerta, though it’s more likely with Adderall. Concerta carries an additional risk of painful erections in men.

There are serious risks to Adderall and Concerta, including heart and blood pressure changes that can be dangerous for people with existing heart problems. ADHD medications like Adderall and Concerta may be risky for pregnant women and their babies.

Addiction Risks of Adderall and Concerta

Adderall and Concerta have different mechanisms of action, but they are part of the stimulant class – which also includes methamphetamine, cocaine, and caffeine – and may be addictive. These drugs are misused or abused for many reasons, including losing weight, treating the symptoms of ADHD without a formal diagnosis, or as a study aid for students.

It’s known that these drugs have an addiction risk, but there’s little research comparing the two to determine if one is riskier than the other. If you’re concerned about abuse with a prescription drug like Adderall or Concerta, you can reduce the risk by taking the drug exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Don’t take higher doses or more frequent doses, mix your medication with other substances, or stop taking your medication without talking to your doctor.

One of the reasons these drugs are addictive is because they build tolerance quickly, which is when your body gets used to the drug, and you need higher or more frequent doses to get the same effects. This can lead to dependence, which is when your body is used to the drug and needs it to function. If you stop taking it suddenly, you may experience withdrawal symptoms like depression, anxiety, fatigue, or sleep problems. Rebound ADHD symptoms are common with stimulant ADHD medication withdrawal.

If you want to reduce your dose, switch medication, or stop taking Adderall or Concerta, it’s important to talk to your doctor about how you can do so safely. They can recommend a taper schedule to reduce your dosage and minimize withdrawal symptoms gradually. Don’t attempt to taper your dose on your own.

Treating Addiction to ADHD Medication

Both Adderall and Concerta can cause addiction, which is known as a stimulant use disorder in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). A stimulant use disorder is characterized as a compulsive pattern of stimulant use, regardless of the problems it causes to your health, interpersonal relationships, work, or school.

While stimulant withdrawal isn’t usually life-threatening, it can be intense and difficult to overcome on your own. You should speak to your doctor about a taper schedule to gradually reduce your dosage. If you’re addicted to a stimulant, you may need a comprehensive addiction treatment program that starts with medical detox.

Detox provides medical supervision to monitor your vital signs, administer medication to manage withdrawal symptoms and prevent complications. You’ll be as safe and comfortable as possible while the drug clears your system.

Once detox is complete, it’s important to enter a full addiction treatment program to address the social, emotional, and psychological causes of addiction. Each program is tailored to your individual goals and needs, but it may include talk therapy, group counseling, support groups, family therapy, and behavioral therapies like cognitive behavioral therapy.

Adderall vs. Concerta: Which Is Right for You?

Adderall and Concerta are two generally safe and effective prescription stimulant medications used to treat ADHD. They have some differences in their mechanisms of action and side effects, but Adderall and Concerta can help treat ADHD.