EDITORS’ NOTE: The following information is updated annually. The ADHD Medication Guide, developed and maintained by Dr. Andrew Adesman, comprises a comparison chart of FDA-approved stimulants and non-stimulants that is updated more frequently.
ADHD Medications Overview
This chart presents the most popular and most commonly prescribed medications used to treat ADHD in children and adults. Stimulant medications are categorized into methylphenidates and amphetamines, and non-stimulants are included at the end.
Share this ADHD medication chart with your doctor to aid the process of finding the treatment solution that best manages symptoms for yourself or your child.
For further detail on each medication, including dosages, precautions, and interactions, visit the WebMD Drugs & Medication Database.
| MEDICATION | FORMULATION | DURATION AND DELIVERY SYSTEM | NOTES ON ADMINISTRATION | SAVINGS PROGRAM | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Methylphenidates | |||||
| Aptensio XR® or generic (Rhodes Pharmaceuticals et al) |
 |
Extended coverage; 40% immediate-release layer and 60% controlled-release layer | Capsule may be opened and contents swallowed with applesauce or yogurt. | ||
| Azstarys™ (Corium) | |
Extended coverage; 30% immediate-release, 70% absorbed slowly over several hours* | Capsule may be opened and contents swallowed with applesauce. | CoriumCaresTM Support Program(800-910-8432) |
|
| Concerta® or generic (Janssen and others) |  |
Extended coverage; initial peak at 1 hour, then gradual release over 9 hours* | Must be swallowed whole with liquid; non-absorbable shell may be passed in stool. | CONCERTA® Savings Program |
|
| Cotempla XR-ODT® (Aytu BioPharma) |  |
Extended coverage; 25% immediate-release and 75% extended-release particles* | Grape-flavored; allow tablet to dissolve in saliva. | Neos RxConnect Program |
|
| Daytrana® or generic (Noven Therapeutics) |  |
Extended coverage; 9-hour maximum wear-time; apply 2 hours before the effect is needed; effects last up to 3 hours after the patch is removed* | Applied once-daily to alternating hips; time worn can vary to control effect duration; do not cut or tear patch; monitor for skin sensitivity. | Savings on Daytrana® program |
|
| Focalin® or generic (Novartis and others) | |
Short-term coverage | Two doses may be prescribed per day, at least four hours apart. | ||
| Focalin XR® or generic (Novartis and others) | |
Extended coverage; 50% immediate-release and 50% delayed-release | Capsule may be opened and contents swallowed with applesauce. | Focalin® XR Co-Pay Card |
|
| JORNAY PM® (Ironshore Pharmaceuticals) | |
Extended coverage; outer layer delays release for 10-12 hours for early morning symptom control, inner layer controls extended daytime release | Take only in the evening. Capsule may be opened and contents swallowed with applesauce. | Jornay PM™ Savings Offer |
|
| Methylin® or generic (Shionogi Inc. and others) |  |
Short-term coverage | Grape-flavored; two or three doses may be prescribed per day. | ||
| Methylin® Chewable or generic (Shionogi Inc. and others) |  |
Short-term coverage | Grape-flavored; two or three doses may be prescribed per day. Take 30-45 minutes before a meal. | ||
| QuilliChew ER® (Tris Pharma) | |
Extended coverage; 30% immediate-release and 70% extended-release. LiquiXR technology for continuous release throughout the day | Cherry-flavored; taken once daily; tablet may be chewed or swallowed whole. 11 dosing options allow for microtitration. | Tris Savings Program |
|
| Quillivant XR® (Tris Pharma) | |
Extended coverage; 20% immediate-release and 80% extended-release. LiquiXR technology for continuous release throughout the day | Banana-flavored; shake for at least 10 seconds before administering; liquid format allows for microtitration. | Tris Savings Program |
|
| Ritalin® or generic (Novartis and others) | |
Short-term coverage | Two or three doses may be prescribed per day. | ||
| Ritalin LA® or generic (Novartis) | |
Extended coverage; 50% immediate-release and 50% delayed-release (2nd peak 4 hours later)* | Capsule may be opened and contents swallowed with applesauce. | ||
| Amphetamines | |||||
| Adderall® or generic (Teva and others) | |
Short-term coverage | Two or three doses may be prescribed per day. | ||
| Adderall XR® or generic (Takeda and others) | |
Extended coverage; mixture of immediate- and delayed-release beads for a double-pulsed delivery | Capsule may be opened and contents swallowed with applesauce | ||
| Adzenys XR-ODT® (Aytu BioPharma) | |
Extended coverage; 50% immediate-release and 50% delayed-release particles* | Orange-flavored; allow tablet to dissolve in saliva | Neos RxConnect Program
|
|
| Dexedrine® or generic (GlaxoSmithKline) | |
Short-term coverage | Two or three doses may be prescribed per day. | ||
| Dexedrine® Liquid or generic (GlaxoSmithKline) | |
Short-term coverage | Taken once or twice daily. | ||
| Dexedrine® Spansule or generic (Amneal Pharmaceuticals) | |
Extended coverage | Taken once daily. | ||
| DYANAVEL® XR (Tris Pharma) | |
Extended coverage; up to 13 hours effectiveness. LiquiXR technology for continuous release throughout the day* | Bubblegum-flavored; shake bottle before administering; liquid format allows for microtitration. | Tris Savings Program |
|
| Evekeo® or generic (Arbor Pharmaceuticals and others) | |
Short-term coverage | Two or three doses may be prescribed per day. | Evekeo® Copay Savings Program |
|
| Evekeo ODT® or generic (Arbor Pharmaceuticals and others) | |
Short-term coverage | One or three doses may be prescribed per day. | Evekeo® Copay Savings Program |
|
| Mydayis® (Takeda) | |
Extended coverage (up to 16 hours); 33% immediate release, 33% delayed-release, 33% second-phase delayed release.* | Capsule may be opened and contents swallowed with applesauce. | Mydayis® Savings Card |
|
| ProCentra® or generic (Independence Pharmaceuticals and others) |
|
Short-term coverage | Bubblegum-flavored; two or three doses may be prescribed per day | Patient Coupon |
|
| Vyvanse® (Takeda) | |
Extended coverage; peaks in 3.5 hours* | Capsule may be opened and contents dissolved in water, yogurt, or orange juice. | ||
| Vyvanse® (Takeda) | |
Extended coverage; peaks in 4.4 hours* | Strawberry-flavored. | ||
| Xelstrym® (Noven Pharmaceuticals) | |
Extended coverage; 9-hour maximum wear-time; apply 2 hours before the effect is needed* | Applied once-daily to alternating upper arm, upper back, chest, or flank area. Do not use more than one patch in a 24-hour period. | ||
| Zenzedi® or generic (Arbor Pharmaceuticals) |
|
Short-term coverage | Two to three doses may be prescribed per day. |
Zenzedi® Copay Savings Program |
|
| Non-Stimulants | |||||
| Catapres ® or generic (Boehringer Ingelheim) | |
Extended coverage; builds up to 24-hour effectiveness | Taken once daily. Tablet must be swallowed whole with liquid. | ||
| Catpres TTS ® or generic (LAVIPHARM) | |
Extended coverage; builds up to 24-hour effectiveness | Transdermal patch is programmed to release medication at an approximately constant rate for 7 days. | ||
| Intuniv® or generic (Takeda Pharma and others) | |
Extended coverage; builds up to 24-hour effectiveness | Taken once daily. Tablet must be swallowed whole with liquid. | Takeda Help at Hand Program |
|
| Kapvay® or generic (Advanz Pharma and others) | |
Extended coverage; builds up to 24-hour effectiveness | Taken twice daily. Tablet must be swallowed whole. | ||
| Qelbree™ (Supernus Pharmaceuticals) | |
Extended coverage; builds up to 24-hour effectiveness | Taken once daily. Capsule may be opened and contents swallowed with applesauce | Qelbree™ Pediatric Savings Card Qelbree™ Adult Savings Card |
|
| Strattera® or generic (Eli Lilly and others) | |
Extended coverage; builds up to 24-hour effectiveness | Taken once or twice daily. Capsule must be swallowed whole with liquid. | Lilly Cares® Foundation Patient Assistance Program |
|
* The medication’s estimated duration of action is based on information provided by the drug’s manufacturer. For any individual patient, this medication’s effects may last longer or shorter than indicated.
ADHD Medication List: Next Steps
- Free Download: How Do We Know the Medication Is Working?
- Read: ADHD Medication Side Effects No One Should Tolerate
- Read: 11 Steps to Prescribing and Using ADHD Medication Effectively
The Ages & Stages of ADHD
This ADHD medication list is part of ADDitude’s 5-part “Ages & Stages” series exploring common ADHD-related challenges through the lifecycle, along with strategies and treatments for each. Access more articles in the series here:
- Ages & Stages Part 1: ADHD in Children
- Ages & Stages Part 2: ADHD in Teens
- Ages & Stages Part 3: ADHD in Young Adults
- Ages & Stages Part 4: ADHD in Adults
How to Treat ADHD in Children: Next Questions
- What ADHD medications are used to treat children?
- Is ADHD medication right for my child?
- What are common side effects associated with ADHD medication?
- What natural treatments help kids with ADHD?
- How can I find an ADHD specialist near me?
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Updated on May 13, 2024