Direct comparison studies and placebo trials indicate that Ritalin and Adderall are effective in ADHD, although it is worthwhile noting that most trials are of poor quality and short duration. Ritalin and Adderall are both associated with sleep problems and a decreased appetite; in addition, Ritalin is more likely to cause stomach pain.

Although both Ritalin and Adderall are used for ADHD they contain different medicines.

Ritalin contains methylphenidate whereas Adderall contains a mixture of amphetamine salts (MAS). Although Ritalin and Adderall contain different ingredients, they are both classified as CNS stimulants and are thought to work in a similar way in ADHD - by increasing the concentration of two neurotransmitters (dopamine and norepinephrine) in the brain.

Not everybody responds equally to either Ritalin or Adderall so if one treatment is ineffective or intolerable it is appropriate to try another. Abuse or dependence potential is untested, but likely to be similar.

See also: Drugs.com Compare Tool - Adderall vs Ritalin

More detailed information

Are Ritalin and Adderall the same?

Not as far as ingredients go. Ritalin is a brand name for methylphenidate and Adderall contains mixed amphetamine salts.^1,2 Although they contain different ingredients, they are both classified as CNS stimulants and are thought to work in a similar way – by increasing the concentrations of norepinephrine and dopamine in the brain. These two neurotransmitters transmit impulses between nerves, which helps improve ADHD symptoms such as hyperactivity, impulsiveness and inattention. Methylphenidate is available as a generic and other brands include Aptensio, Concerta, Metadate, Methylin, and Quillivant.¹

The mixed amphetamine salts contained in Adderall are dextroamphetamine saccharate, amphetamine aspartate, dextroamphetamine sulfate, and amphetamine sulfate. Adderall is also available as a generic.²

Do any studies directly compare Ritalin to Adderall?

Yes. Several trials have directly compared methylphenidate (contained in Ritalin) to amphetamines (such as Adderall) in a cross-over type design (one drug is given for a few weeks followed by the other drug after a period of no drug). Most were done pre-1996 and numbers of patients included in each study were too low to report any statistically significant difference between the two drugs. One trend did emerge though, and that was that every study had some subjects who responded better to one drug and not the other - so some people responded better to methylphenidate, and others better to amphetamine-type drugs.³

Behavioral therapy is still recommended as a first-line treatment for ADHD in young children. If this doesn't work and your doctor advises medication, it is important to monitor your child for sympto improvement or development of side effects. If one ADHD medication fails, then it is appropriate to try another.³

Are stimulants effective for ADHD?

Stimulants are effective for ADHD; however, it is worthwhile noting that the majority of trials have been of poor quality and relatively short duration. It is difficult for trials involving CNS stimulants not to be bias in some way – disguising the effects of a stimulant drug is practically impossible, particularly in trials comparing it to placebo, and most trial participants, clinicians and researchers are able to work out who is taking active drug and who is taking placebo.

A Cochrane group recently reviewed the results of 185 trials involving methylphenidate for the treatment of ADHD.⁴ The authors concluded that although methylphenidate appeared to modestly improve symptoms such hyperactivity, impulsivity, and difficulty in concentrating they couldn’t say for sure how much of a difference it made because many trials failed to completely report all results, and outcomes were not consistent across all trials. The only definite conclusions to come out of the review were that methylphenidate is associated with sleep problems and a decreased appetite, but trials were of too short a duration (less than 6 months) to confirm any risk of serious adverse effects associated with long-term use.

In another review, the Cochrane group investigated the effectiveness of amphetamines in ADHD, and 23 relevant trials were identified.⁵ Once again, although amphetamines were effective at improving core ADHD symptoms in the short term, the quality of included studies was classed as low to very low. Children taking amphetamine salts were also more likely to experience sleep problems, decreased appetite, and stomach pain. Although this review included a number of different types of amphetamines (lisdexamfetamine, dextroamphetamine, and mixed amphetamine salts) there was no evidence that one kind of amphetamine was any better than another. Trials were of too short a duration to predict safety with long term use and no benefits were found for amphetamines that act for longer periods of time versus those that act for shorter.

Is Ritalin or Adderall more likely to be abused?

Both Ritalin and Adderall have the potential to be abused.^1,2,6 There is a misconception among teenagers and young adults that prescription stimulants can improve a person’s ability to learn and so are taken to boost study performance. Although prescription stimulants promote wakefulness, research has shown that students who abuse them actually have lower high school and college GPAs than those who don’t. They don't appear to enhance thinking or learning ability in those without ADHD.⁷ Unfortunately, no head-to-head comparison trials comparing the abuse potential of Ritalin and Adderall have been done.

What about costs?

Adderall is available in both brand and generic. Adderall XR costs approximately $7.60 per capsule⁸, and a generic version is available for $4.65-5.33 per capsule.⁹

Ritalin tablets cost approximately 75 cents per 5mg tablet and $1.10 per 20mg tablet.¹⁰ Ritalin LA tablets cost $9.30 per 10mg/24h release capsule and $11.80 per 60mg/24h release capsule.¹¹ Generic extended-release methylphenidate is also available.¹²