Alternatives to Adderall

Adderall Medication

Stimulant Medications for ADHD

Adderall is probably the best known stimulant medication for ADHD. However, there are many other choices in stimulant medications that may be considered Adderall alternatives. Stimulants are very effective, but they are also controlled substances and have the potential to be abused. As a result, there are strict rules concerning how stimulants are prescribed (see Adderall: A Controlled Substance for more information).

Many of the stimulant medications for ADHD contain similar ingredients, but differ in how long the medication lasts or how the medication is released (immediate release versus extended release). In addition to Adderall, other stimulant medication choices include:

Desoxyn^® (methamphetamine)
Vyvanse™ (lisdexamfetamine)
Dexedrine^® (dextroamphetamine) and a longer-acting version, Dexedrine Spansules^®
Focalin^® (dexmethylphenidate)
Focalin XR^® (dexmethylphenidate extended release), a long-acting version of Focalin
Methylphenidate products, including:

Daytrana^®, a methylphenidate patch

Ritalin^®, the original short-acting version of methylphenidate

Methylin^®, which is short-acting like Ritalin, but comes in chewable tablets and a liquid form

Long-acting methylphenidate products, such as Concerta^®, Metadate CD^®, Metadate ER^®, Ritalin LA^®, and Ritalin SR^® (see Methylphenidate Extended Release for information about the differences among these products).

Provigil^® (modafinil) is a stimulant that is sometimes used off-label to treat ADHD (it is not approved for this use and has not been adequately studied in people with ADHD). Provigil may be less likely to be abused than other stimulants.

(Alternatives to Adderall Continued: Page 4)
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