Concerta and Adderall are two commonly prescribed drugs used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). While they can both be effective, these drugs have different mechanisms of action, benefits, and risks.
Learn more about the similarities and differences between Concerta and Adderall, how they work as an ADHD medication, and which is the best choice for you.
Concerta is the brand name for methylphenidate, a stimulant medication used to treat ADHD in adults and children. It comes in extended-release tablets that can work for up to 12 hours.[1]
Adderall is a combination stimulant medication that contains both amphetamine and dextroamphetamine. It’s used to treat ADHD and narcolepsy. The two stimulants work together to stimulate the central nervous system and affect the chemicals and nerves, contributing to hyperactivity and impulse control.
Concerta and Adderall come in different formulations and are prescribed at different dosages. Both drugs are prescribed at the lowest effective dosage for the shortest period.
Concerta is typically prescribed at 18 mg once daily for children and adolescents, with the dosage gradually increased until symptoms improve. The maximum daily dose of Concerta is 54 mg for children 6-12 years old and 72 mg for adolescents and adults.
Adults typically start at 18 mg or 36 mg per day.[2] This is then increased by 18 mg weekly until the maximum daily dose is reached.
Concerta is not recommended for children under 6 years old or adults over 65 years old.
Adderall dosage depends on the formulation:
Adderall immediate release (IR) is prescribed at an initial dose of 5 mg orally once or twice daily for ADHD.[3] The daily dose may be increased in 5 mg increments at weekly intervals until the effects are achieved, up to 40 mg daily.
Adderall IR is typically prescribed at an initial dose of 10 mg orally in divided doses and increased in 10 mg increments each week for narcolepsy.
Adderall extended-release (XR) is started at an initial dose of 20 mg once a day for ADHD.[4] Adderall XR isn’t commonly used for narcolepsy.
In children aged 3 to 5 years, Adderall IR is typically started at 2.5 mg per day and increased in 2.5 mg increments at weekly intervals.[5] In children aged 6 to 7 years old, Adderall IR is started at an initial dose of 5 mg orally once or twice daily, then increased in 5 mg increments at weekly intervals.[6]
In children aged 6 to 12 years, Adderall XR is started at 5 to 10 mg once per day and increased in 5 or 10 mg increments at weekly intervals.[7] In children aged 13 to 17 years, Adderall XR is started at an initial dose of 10 mg orally once a day, then increased to 20 mg per day after one week.[8]
Concerta and Adderall share many potential side effects, some of which are serious. The side effects of these drugs may include:
Both drugs can have serious side effects, including:
The risks of Concerta and Adderall are similar. Both drugs can impact your heart and blood pressure and may cause serious cardiovascular events, including sudden death, in people with pre-existing heart conditions. Concerta and Adderall are also possible concerns for women who are pregnant, though more research is needed to determine their potential harm.
Though they’re different drugs, Concerta and Adderall both carry a risk of abuse and addiction. As stimulants, these drugs may be used to self-treat ADHD, as a weight loss aid, or as a study aid, which can increase the risk of addiction.
There are no direct comparisons between Concerta and Adderall concerning addiction potential. While this is a risk, the best way to avoid addiction is by taking these drugs exactly as directed. Never increase your dose without speaking to your doctor or sharing your medication with anyone else.
Taking Concerta and Adderall regularly can lead to tolerance, meaning you need higher doses to get the same effects. With either drug, this increases the risk of overdose and possible death. If you suspect someone is overdosing on these stimulants, call 911 immediately.
Concerta and Adderall can both cause physical dependence, which is when your body becomes used to the presence of a drug. If you stop taking it suddenly, you may experience withdrawal symptoms like worsening ADHD, sleep disturbances, depression, and fatigue.
If you want to stop taking Concerta or Adderall, you need to speak to your doctor. They can recommend a taper schedule to wean you off the drug and minimize the withdrawal symptoms.
If you become addicted to Adderall or Concerta – a stimulant use disorder – help is available. Typically, treatment for stimulant addiction begins with a medical detox to help you withdraw from the drug safely and minimize discomfort and complications.
After detox is complete, you can start an addiction treatment program to address the emotional, psychological, and social factors that contribute to addiction. This may occur in an inpatient or outpatient setting, including individual talk therapy, group counseling, and behavioral therapies.
Several drug trials have directly compared methylphenidate (Concerta) to amphetamines like Adderall. However, these studies are older and have small patient groups, so no statistically significant difference was found.[11]
One consistent aspect of the trials was that patients often responded better to one drug over the other. Many individuals experienced a noticeable difference with one drug and minimal to no effect with the other.
Concerta and Adderall are two stimulant ADHD medications with similar benefits, risks, and side effects, including possible abuse and addiction. However, one may be the better choice for you than the other, so speak to your doctor about your options for treating ADHD.
As the trials demonstrated, it’s difficult to say whether Concerta or Adderall is more powerful or effective in patients. They may work similarly, but different drugs vary in how patients respond. In most cases, patients respond better to one drug than the other.
Adderall is stronger than Concerta but the dosage is prescribed per person, based on their needs and overall health. Directly converting one into the other could lead to taking a higher dose than needed, so there no direct recommended comparison for a dosage of Concerta to Adderall.
Studies suggest that if Adderall works for one person, Concerta will not, and vice versa. If you’re not experiencing positive effects from either Adderall or Concerta, speak to your doctor about other options to treat ADHD.
[1][2] CONCERTA® Data sheet. (n.d.-a). https://www.medsafe.govt.nz/profs/datasheet/c/concertatab.pdf on 2024, June 19
[3,4,5,6,7,8,9] Adderall: Uses, dosage, Side Effects & Safety Info. Drugs.com. (n.d.-a). Retrieved from https://www.drugs.com/adderall.html#dosage on 2024, June 19.
[10] Concerta: Uses, dosage & side effects. Drugs.com. (n.d.-d). Retrieved from https://www.drugs.com/concerta.html#side-effects on 2024, June 19.
[11] Concerta vs adderall – what’s the difference between them? Drugs.com. (n.d.-e). Retrieved from https://www.drugs.com/medical-answers/concerta-vs-adderall-3039103/ on 2024, June 19
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