ADHD Medication Chart From Web MD
Class
Drug Name
Form
Amphetamine
Stimulants
Adderall
Short-acting
Dexedrine
Short-acting
Dextrostat
Short-acting
Dexedrine
Spansule
Long-acting
Adderall XR Long-acting
Vyvanse
Long-acting
(prodrug)
Methylphenidate
Stimulants
Focalin
Short-acting
Methylin
Short-acting
Ritalin
Short-acting
Metadate ER Intermediateacting
Methylin ER Intermediateacting
Ritalin SR Intermediateacting
Metadate CD Intermediateacting
Ritalin LA Intermediateacting
Concerta
Long-acting
Nonstimulants
Quillivant
XR
Long-acting
Focalin XR
Long-acting
Daytrana
patch
Long-acting
Strattera
Long-acting
(atomoxetine) (extended
release)
Duration Common Side
Effects
4-6
Some loss of
hours appetite, weight loss,
sleep problems,
4-6
hours irritability, tics. Shortacting medicines
4-6
require frequent
hours
dosing.
6-8
Some loss of
hours appetite, weight loss,
8-12 sleep problems,
hours irritability, tics. Longacting medicines are
10-12
convenient but may
hours
have greater effects
on appetite and
sleep.
4-6
Some loss of
hours appetite, weight loss,
sleep problems,
3-4
hours irritability, tics. Shortacting medicines
3-4
require frequent
hours
dosing.
6-8
Some loss of
hours appetite, weight loss,
sleep problems,
6-8
hours irritability, tics.
Longer-acting
4-8
medicines are
hours
convenient but may
8-10 have greater effects
hours on appetite and
8-10 sleep.
hours
10-12 Some loss of
hours appetite, weight loss,
8-12 sleep problems,
hours irritability, tics.
Longer-acting
medicines are
convenient but may
have greater side
effects on appetite
and sleep.
6-10
hours
10-12 Skin irritation, some
hour loss of appetite,
weight loss, sleep
problems, irritability,
tics.
24 hours Sleep problems,
anxiety, fatigue,
upset stomach,
dizziness, dry mouth.
Rarely, liver damage.
There are some
concerns about a link
between Strattera
and suicidal thoughts.
Long-acting
24
hours
Sleepiness,
Intuniv
(extended
headache, fatigue,
(guanrelease)
abdominal pain.
facine)
Rarely, Intuniv can
cause low blood
pressure and heart
rhythm changes.
Antidepressants Wellbutrin Short-acting
4-5
Sleep problems,
hours headaches. Although
Wellbutrin
Sustained 12 hours rare, Wellbutrin may
increase the risk of
SR
release
seizures.
(long-acting)
Wellbutrin
Extended 24 hours
XL
release
(long-acting)
Tofranil
NA
8-24 Sleep problems,
hours anxiety, fatigue,
Pamelor
NA
8-24 upset stomach,
hours dizziness, dry mouth,
elevated heart rate,
Aventyl
NA
8-24
risk of heart
hours
arrhythmias.
Norpramin
NA
8-24 Not recommended for
hours children. Associated
with cases of fatal
heart problems.
Blood
NA
Fatigue, dizziness,
Clonidine
4-6
Pressure
hours dry mouth, irritability,
Medicines
(tablets) behavior problems,
low blood pressure.
Catapres or
24 hours Stopping this
(patch) medicine suddenly
can result in high
24
Kapvay
blood pressure.
hours
(Tablet
taken
twice a
day)
Tenex
NA
6-8
(guanhours
facine)
ADHD Medicines and Safety
The FDA has issued a warning about the risk of drug abuse with amphetamine
stimulants. FDA safety advisors are also concerned about the possibility that
all amphetamine and methylphenidate stimulants used for ADHD may
increase the risk of heart and psychiatric problems.
The FDA has also issued a warning about a connection between
antidepressants (including the non-stimulant Strattera) and an increased risk
of suicide in adults aged 18-24, especially in the first one or two months of
treatment.
While these risks may seem alarming, keep in mind that experts generally
consider these medicines safe. Serious problems are rare. Still, you should
discuss the risks and benefits of these drugs with your doctor.