By Admin on Nov 26, 2009 in Medicine
My nephew was diagnosed ADD a year ago and was not medicated. We tried behavioral modification and some other stuff but in the end, we are here, talking about meds. The doc wrote Concerta first and said if that does not work, try Adderall. Does anyone know what the difference is?
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theres a huge difference between the two, but most doctors start off with medications like concerta or strattera. adderall is considered the strongest med. out there for ADD, so doctors want to start a patient off with the weaker medications because adderall is very powerful (its known as legalized spped). stuff like concerta dont work for most people, so then they continue to the strongest one (adderall). heres some information on both, and from there on you can compare the two in why they are different.
adderall:
- has a black box warning (high abuse potential, may lead to drug dependency, serious cardiovascular events/sudden death has been reported with misuse).
-main ingredient is amphetamine/dextroamphetamine
-can worsen/interfere with other conditions, such as: bipolar, ocd, and cardiomyopathy
-serious reactions: dependency, depression,psychosis, stoke, seizures, and sudden death (all are not listed)
-common reactions: anorexia, insomnia, dry mouth, emotional lability, nausea/vomiting, dizziness, visual disturbances (all are not listed)
-is a schedule II drug (requires written prescription every month, can not be called/faxed in, no refills)
concerta:
- has a different black box warning (caution if emotionally unstable, can unmask severe depression, can lead to tolerance and psychological dependence/personality disturbances)
-main ingredient is methylphenidate
-can also interfere w/ other conditions: same as adderall, but also tourettes syn., glaucoma
-serious reactions:aggressive behavior, abuse, leukopenia, mania, stroke, sudden death (all are not listed)
-common reactions:same as adderall, but also drowsiness, plapitations, rash/fever (all are not listed)
-interfere w/ other meds, almost same drugs/amount as adderall
-schedule II drug
they both have the same mechanisms of action, (blocks reuptake and increases release of norepinephrine/dopamine). also, theyre both schedule II drugs, but adderall is made with amphetamines and just ultimatly is stronger/more powerful than any other drugs in the ADD medications (even ritilin).
jharpe21 | Nov 26, 2009 | Reply
Adderall is a stimulant (an amphetamine) and Concerta is not. That’s the difference in a nutshell.
Natalie Portmans Shaved Head | Nov 26, 2009 | Reply
Adderall is an amphetamine, Concerta is not. The person before was incorrect is saying Concerta is not a stimulant, because it is. They just work differently. Concerta is an extended release version of methylphenidate (Ritalin). Adderall has an immediate release and effect, while Concerta releases slowly throughout the day. Therefore, Concerta only needs to be taken once a day. also, it cannot be snorted for abuse like adderall.
I never took Adderall, but I took the other version of amphetamine, Dexedrine and I also took Concerta. I hated the Concerta, the side effects are awful. I know most people prefer Adderall.
WitchBaby | Nov 26, 2009 | Reply
Concerta sucks.
No, seriously, it does!
Christina F | Nov 26, 2009 | Reply