ADHD Medication Chart - Stimulants

• Short acting stimulants

• Intermediate acting stimulants

• Long acting stimulants

• Contraindications, precautions, Black Box warning, side effects, and disclaimer

With all stimulant ADHD medications, start with the lowest available dose, and work upwards as needed to get desired effect without causing significant side effects.

Drug

Dosage form

Dosing range

Duration of action

Adderall
(mixed salts of amphetamine product)

Tablets
5, 7.5, 10, 12.5
15, 20, 30 mg

Increase by 5 mg increments  at weekly intervals as needed , with a maximum daily dose of 40 mg. BID dosing.

4-8 hours

Focalin
(dexmethylphenidate)

Tablets
2.5, 5, 10 mg

Increase by 2.5 to 5 mg increments  at weekly intervals as needed, with a maximum daily dose of 20 mg. BID to TID dosing.

6 hours

Methylin
(methylphenidate)

Methylin chewable (methylphenidate)

Tablets
5, 10, 20 mg

Chewable tablets
2.5, 5, 10 mg

Increase by 5 mg increments at weekly intervals as needed, with a maximum daily dose of  60 mg. BID to TID dosing.

3-5 hours

Ritalin
(methylphenidate)

Tablets
5, 10, 20 mg

Increase by 5-10 mg increments  at weekly intervals as needed, with a maximum daily dose of  60 mg. BID to TID dosing.

3-5 hours

Drug

Dosage form

Dosing range

Duration of action

Dexedrine
(dextroamphetamine)

Spansule capsules
5, 10, 15 mg

Increase by 2.5 mg increments for younger children and 5-10 mg increments for older children, at weekly intervals as needed, with a maximum daily dose of 45 mg. Capsule may be swallowed whole or opened and sprinkled onto a spoonful of applesauce. Q day dosing.

6-8 hours

Metadate CD
(methylphenidate)

Capsules
10, 20, 30,
40, 50, 60 mg

Increase by 10-20 mg increments at weekly intervals as needed, with a maximum daily dose of 60 mg. Q day dosing.

6-10 hours

Metadate ER (methylphenidate)

Tablets
10, 20 mg

Increase by 10 mg increments at weekly intervals as needed, with a maximum daily dose of 60 mg. Q day dosing.

3-8 hours

Methylin ER
(methylphenidate)

Tablets
10, 20 mg

Increase by 10 mg increments at weekly intervals as needed, with a maximum daily dose of 60 mg. Q day dosing.

3-8 hours

Ritalin LA
(methylphenidate)

Capsules
10, 20, 30,
40 mg

Increase by 10 mg increments  at weekly intervals as needed, with a maximum daily dose of 60 mg. Q day dosing.

6-8 hours

Ritalin SR
(methylphenidate)

Tablets
20 mg

Increase by 20 mg increments  at weekly intervals as needed , with a maximum daily dose of 60 mg. Q day dosing.

3-8 hours

Drug

Dosage form

Dosing range

Duration of action

Concerta 
(methylphenidate)

Tablets
18, 27,
36, 54 mg

Increase to next tablet size at weekly intervals as needed, with a maximum daily dose of 72 mg. (Non-FDA max. daily dose: 108 mg)

8-12 hours

Vyvanse
(A prodrug of
dextroamphetamine)

Capsules
20, 30, 40, 50,
60, 70 mg

Increase by 10 mg increments  at weekly intervals as needed, with a maximum daily dose of 70 mg. Can be swallowed whole or opened and dissolved in about 15 cc of juice. Remaining sediment is inert ingredients.

12 hours

Stimulant contraindications - Symptomatic heart disease, drug dependence, use of MAOIs, glaucoma, hypertension (severe), hyperthyroidism.

Stimulant precautions - Use cautiously in patients with marked anxiety, motor tics, mood disorders, Tourette syndrome, history of substance abuse, structural cardiac abnormalities, or cardiovascular conditions which may be compromised by increases in blood pressure or heart rate.

Stimulant Black Box warning - Potential for abuse, misuse can cause death or serious cardiovascular events. Chronic abuse can lead to marked tolerance and psychic dependence with varying degrees of abnormal behavior including psychotic episodes.

Stimulant side effects - Insomnia, decreased appetite, weight loss, headache, irritability, stomachache, tremor, dysphoric mood, euphoria, nervousness, restlessness.

Disclaimer: This chart is not intended to serve as a totally comprehensive resource. Please utilize Physicians Desk Reference for complete information.

ADHD Medication Chart - Non-stimulants

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