ADHD Treatment Comparing and Contrasting Concerta and Adderall By Kristen Fuller, MD Kristen Fuller is a physician, a successful clinical mental health writer, and author. She specializes in addiction, substance abuse, and eating disorders. Learn about our editorial process Kristen Fuller, MD Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Akeem Marsh, MD on May 30, 2021 twitter linkedin Akeem Marsh, MD, is a board-certified child, adolescent, and adult psychiatrist who has dedicated his career to working with medically underserved communities. Learn about our Review Board Akeem Marsh, MD Updated on June 01, 2021 Print Elizabeth Fernandez / Getty Images Table of Contents View All Table of Contents What Is ADHD? Abusing Concerta and Adderall Withdrawal Symptoms Concerta Adderall Side Effects Concerta and Adderall are two very common prescription medications used to treat attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD) and excessive sleepiness associated with narcolepsy. They are both stimulants and work to treat ADHD by reducing hyperactivity and impulsive actions and increasing alertness in individuals with ADHD or narcolepsy. This article provides an overview of the differences between Concerta and Adderall. What Is ADHD? Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a developmental condition of inattention and distractibility, with or without accompanying hyperactivity. Individuals with ADHD struggle with impulsivity, forgetfulness, and lack of focus in every area of their life, including school, work, relationships, and family life. There are three different subtypes of ADHD that are characterized by specific predominating symptoms: Predominately hyperactive-impulsive: This includes restless behaviors, fidgeting, talking constantly, blurting out inappropriate comments, and impatience. Predominately inattentive: Trouble following directions, easily distracted, difficulty organizing thoughts and learning new things, trouble focusing on a single task, daydreaming and not listening. Combined: Symptoms don’t exclusively fall within the inattention or hyperactive-impulsive behavior, but rather a combination of symptoms from both of the categories is exhibited. Recognizing the Different Types of ADHD Abusing Concerta and Adderall Unfortunately, Concerta and Adderall are considered drugs of abuse due to their stimulating effects. Both of these medications, as well as other prescription medications in the amphetamine class, are often termed “smart drugs” and “study drugs.” Both medications are controlled substances meaning that they are regulated by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) because they do have the potential for misuse and abuse. “Smart drugs” and “study drugs” are more than a chemical escape hatch from reality. Individuals commonly abuse them as a way to boost the brain’s ability to think under stress, stay alert, be productive for long hours, and keep track of large amounts of information. Are Concerta and Adderall Addictive? Yes, stimulants work to re-wire the brain by releasing more neurotransmitters, specifically dopamine, that increase alertness in both the mind and the body. Dopamine helps you focus, but it also triggers feelings of pleasure. Too much can make you feel intense excitement and happiness, and eventually, you may desire to increase the dosage in order to mimic this feeling of euphoria. Over time, the brain and body become used to this, and when you stop taking these medications, your body will crash. You will feel sluggish, irritable, depressed, disconnected, and may even struggle with sleep and concentration problems. In other words, your body and brain will go into withdrawals once you stop taking the study drugs. Withdrawal Symptoms Since these drugs are technically drugs of abuse when taken incorrectly, they can have withdrawal effects when they are suddenly discontinued. The effects include the following: Depression, irritability, or other changes in mood Difficulty sleeping Fatigue Nausea Stomach pain Vomiting Occasionally, symptoms of stimulant withdrawal can make you seem hungover or intoxicated. Again, this happens more often with people who don’t use these medications as directed. Concerta Methylphenidate is the active ingredient in Concerta and is considered a stimulant but is different from amphetamine which is the active ingredient in Ritalin (another medication used to treat ADHD). The FDA classifies methylphenidate as a Schedule II controlled substance. So while it has therapeutic value, it also has a potential for abuse. Methylphenidate is often confused with amphetamine not only because it sounds similar phonetically but also because it has the same dopamine and norepinephrine releasing properties as amphetamine. On a urine drug screen, individuals taking medications with the active ingredient methylphenidate such as Concerta will not test positive for amphetamines. Methylphenidate has a lower addiction potential compared to amphetamine, and therefore many physicians believe that Concerta is less addictive than Adderall. Dosage Concerta dosage depends on whether an individual is currently taking a form of methylphenidate. Depending on the current dosage, the starting dose of methylphenidate will be titrated appropriately. If the individual is already on a higher dose of methylphenidate, then the starting dose of Concerta will be higher as well because the individual most likely already has a tolerance. Tolerance occurs when an individual no longer responds to a drug or medication in the way they initially did at the starting dosage. Therefore it takes a higher dose of the drug or medication to achieve the same effect as when the individual initially started. If an individual is not currently taking a form of amphetamine, then the initial dose of Concerta is 18 mg per day for both children and teenagers and 18 mg per day or 36 mg per day for adults. This is generally a lower dose compared to an individual currently on methylphenidate since these individuals are new users and have not developed a tolerance. Concerta is available in extended-release tablets. The medicine enters into your system slowly, and the effects can last up to 12 hours. One pill in the morning is meant to help manage your ADHD symptoms throughout the entire school or workday. Adderall Adderall is the brand name for a mix of two stimulants called amphetamine-dextroamphetamine. The main difference between Adderall and Concerta, besides the active ingredients, is the form of release. Concerta is only available in extended-release tablets, whereas Adderall is available in two different forms: an immediate-release version (Adderall, although sometimes referred to as “Adderall IR”) and an extended-release version (Adderall XR). Adderall IR treats ADHD symptoms for about five to eight hours, whereas Adderall XR typically lasts for 10 to 12 hours. Side Effects Both Adderall and Concerta are stimulant-based medications and therefore will have common side effects. The most common side effects of Adderall and Concerta include the following: Headaches Loss of appetite Trouble sleeping Weight loss Nausea Irritability Anxiety Abdominal pain Unfortunately, both Concerta and Adderall, like all other stimulants, can potentially lead to an increased chance of stroke, heart problems, circulation problems in the fingers and toes, and blurred vision. Like with any medication, you should always consult with your physician before taking ADHD medication. If side effects do occur, it is important to discuss this with your healthcare provider immediately. If you or a loved one are struggling with addiction, contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline at 1-800-662-4357 for information on support and treatment facilities in your area. For more mental health resources, see our National Helpline Database. Drug Addiction and the Pathological Pursuit of Rewards Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Learn the best ways to manage stress and negativity in your life. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit Article Sources Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder-in-children-and-adolescents-treatment-with-medications Get Matched to a Therapist Online Advertiser Disclosure × The offers that appear in this table are from partnerships from which Verywell Mind receives compensation.