ADHD Dose Equivalent Charts
Methylphenidate Equivalents:
Methylphenidate IR
(BID-TID) (mg)
Concerta
(mg)
5 (BID)
Metadate CD
(mg) (30% IR,
70% ER)
Ritalin LA
(mg)
(50% IR, 50%
ER
10
10
5 (TID)
10 (BID)
10 (TID)
15 (BID)
15 (TID)
20 (BID)
18
20 (TID)
72
Focalin Focalin
IR
XR (mg)
(mg)
2.5
(BID)
Daytrana
5
10
20
20
5 (BID)
10
36
15
30
30
40
40
*quicker am,
comparable
afternoon,
wore off
sooner in pm
when
compared to
Concerta
*Metadate CD
is actually BID
dosing but is
considered
immediate
release
*quicker am
compared to
Concerta
*Ritalin SRnot enough
immediate
release, not
enough
levels in pm
15
54
20
Methylphenidate IR (mg) TID (round to nearest
dose form)
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
Concerta (mg)
18
27
36
45
54
63
72
10
(BID)
20
30
*Focalin
twice as
potent
as
racemic
Daytrana and Methylphenidate IR and Concerta doses:
Patch Size
(cm2)
12.5
18.75
25
37.5
Content/patch
(mg
27.5
41.3
55
55
Delivery
(mg/hr)
1.1
1.65
2.2
3.3
9 hr total (mg)
10
15
20
30
MPH-IR (mg)
(TID)
5
7.5
10
15
Concerta (mg)
18
27
36
54
Converting from methylphenidate to amphetamine:
Ritalin (mg)
Adderall IR (mg)
Adderall XR (mg)
10
5 (BID)
10
*Methylphenidate blocks norepinephrine and dopamine reuptake and Amphetamine blocks reuptake
AND increases release of norepinephrine and dopamine. So since they have different mechanisms it is
unnecessary to use dosage equivalents when switching between drug classes.
Amphetamine Dose Equivalents:
Vyvanse (mg)
20
30
40
50
60
70
Adderall XR (mg)
5
10
15
20
25
30
Alpha-2 Adrenergic Receptors:
Guanfacine (Tenex) Titration Schedule:
0.5mg HS x4days
0.5mg HS and AM x 4 days
0.5mg HS, AM, after school thereafter
Adderall IR (BID) (mg)
2.5
5
7.5
10
12.5
15
*Amphetamines are never
dosed more than BID