Ritalin vs Concerta: Understanding How Each ADHD Drug Works
Ritalin and Concerta are both prescription drugs and CNS stimulants that are used to treat ADHD and narcolepsy. Both medications work on brain chemicals and nerves that assist in regulating impulse and creating therapeutic benefits. Both conditions impact millions of children and adults globally and are characterized by persistent hyperactivity and impulsivity that disrupts day-to-day function. Understanding the difference between Ritalin and Concerta can help you and your child will get the best treatment with fewer side effects.
In this blog we will compare Ritalin vs Concerta in terms of effectiveness, side effects, warnings, dosage information, and also discuss the mechanism of action, chemical composition, precautions and which one is better, so that you can make decisions easily.
Understanding Ritalin and Concerta
Ritalin is a prescribed stimulant ADHD medication with the generic name of methylphenidate hydrochloride used by children and adults. It works in the brain and nerves to improve focus, reduce hyperactivity and decrease impulsivity. It enhances the dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain which leads to improved focus, mental clarity, attention and impulse control. Ritalin is available in two formulations which are:
Concerta is almost similar to Ritalin as it is also used to treat ADHD and narcolepsy by working in the brain and nerves. It is prescribed to children above 6 years and adults up to 65 years old. These drugs come in extended-release form that slowly releases in the body throughout the day.
Concerta is available in various strengths which are:
What is The Difference Between Concerta and Ritalin
Ritalin and Concerta are both used to treat ADHD and Narcolepsy but they have some common differences in many aspects like dosages, mechanism of action and formulations.
Some major differences are given below:
- Ritalin comes in both immediate-release and extended-release forms but Concerta is available only in extended-release form. These differences in the form of the medication will tell how long it lasts in the body and how quickly it works. Ritalin works within 30 minutes but it lasts for up to 3-4 hours. Compared to Ritalin- Concerta lasts for around 12 hours in the human body.
- Ritalin should be taken multiple times a day but Concentra should be taken only once a day.
- Ritalin quickly spikes the neurotransmitter in the brain as it has an immediate-release version but Concentra’s extended-release version slowly releases over the day.
- Due to the extended-release version of Concerta it is more expensive than Ritalin. Concerta will cost less as you have to take it only once a day but Ritalin has to be taken multiple times in a day.
- The daily dosage of Ritalin for children above 6 years is 5 mg twice a day and 30 mg divided doses for adults but the daily dosage of Concerta is 54 mg for children and 72 mg for adults.
- To treat ADHD symptoms the response rate of Ritalin is 70-80% and Concerta is 80-90%.
- The daily dosages of Ritalin are in every 4 hour interval and in case of Concerta once in the morning.
Always consult your healthcare provider before taking any medication and according to your health condition, symptoms, age and tolerance level your doctor will decide.
Is Ritalin and Concerta the Same?
Ritalin and Concerta are nervous system stimulants that work to treat ADHD and Narcolepsy by blocking the flow of dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain which improves attention span, reduces impulsivity and hyperactivity. They share this same mechanism but the release of methylphenidate into the bloodstream differs. They have the same active ingredients but their formulation differs from one another.
Side Effects
Ritalin and Concerta side effects are quite similar to each other, as the medications respond differently to each individual. The side effects of both medications will disappear after taking the medication for several weeks.
Some usual side effects are:
- Headaches
- Dizziness
- Nausea/vomiting
- Overstimulation
- Insomnia
- Overstimulation
- Nausea
- Weight loss
- Blurred vision
- Sweating
- skin rash
- Anxiety
- Mood change
- Dry mouth
- Back pain
- increased heartbeat
- Aggression
- Sweating
Some serious Side Effects are:
- Depression
- Mood change
- Emotional blunting
- muscle twitches
- Rebound effects
- Chest pain
- Blurred vision
- Changes in circulation
Track your symptoms and consult with a healthcare provider if you experience any side effects after taking medications for several weeks as this may decrease the risk.
Ritalin or Concerta: Which one is best for you?
Your Doctor will determine which one you should take, Ritalin or Concerta after looking at your overall health conditions and medical history. Ritalin works for a short time and Concerta works for a long time but both are used to manage the symptoms of ADHD. For school-going children, it is better to take Concerta once in the morning as it lasts for long hours without taking frequent doses. For adults as they will be able to manage their medications properly they may take Ritalin with frequent doses while aware of its side effects.
Warnings & Precautions
Both Ritalin and Concerta come with issues of Cardiovascular and Gastrointestinal. Due to the stimulant nature of drugs it increases heart rate and blood pressure, so it becomes a risk for Cardiovascular disease patients.
As Concerta stays in the body for a longer period of time it may harm the intestine and cause digestive stress. These medications may not be safe for everyone it affects different individuals’ bodies differently.
Interaction with Other Medications
Concerta and Ritalin are both used for managing ADHD symptoms, thus having identical drug interaction profiles. Both interact with multiple varieties of medications, alcohol, and supplements. So before using either drug always consult your doctor to make sure which one is best for your health. Some of these are:
- Prozac
- Adderall
- Celexa
- Lexapro
FAQs
If you take Ritalin and Concerta together then what will happens?
It is not advised to consume both of the medications unless prescribed by a healthcare professional since both are central nervous system stimulants and having both of them together can lead to severe health conditions such as aggression, insomnia, and depression.
Ritalin or Concerta: which one is longer?
Concerta is effective for 12 hours and it needs to be taken once daily in the morning. Ritalin is effective for 3-4 hours and it is taken several times a day.
Are both of the medications addictive?
Both Concerta and Ritalin contain the same active components that can be abused and misused. It can result in addiction if not used as directed by the physician. Some students misuse the medication to improve their memory and stay awake longer.
Final Thought
Ritalin and Concerta are both used to treat ADHD and Narcolepsy by acting in the central nervous system but they differ in some formulation, how quickly they work and how long they last in the body. When we compared the working hours between these two medications Ritalin works faster in the body and lasts for a short time while Concerta lasts for a long time up to 12 hours. Choosing between two depends on medical history and diagnosis.
