Have you been troubled with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder? I know how you feel. No, really, I honestly know how you feel. I was diagnosed with ADD, way back when I was seven years old. I was put on Ritalin from the time I was in kindergarten until the 8th grade. since then I have been using Adderall XR, and I must say, thank God I switched. For people diagnosed with ADHD, Adderall XR is the smarter choice of medication over Ritalin. Adderall XR is superior, because of its faster reaction time, longer lasting effectiveness, and less severe side effects, than those of Ritalin.
One reason Adderall XR owns over Ritalin is because Adderall XR is much faster in reaching its maximum effectiveness. "Ritalin needs at least 45 minutes to an hour to reach its full efficiency" Diane Lore Adderall, on the other hand, only takes about 30 minutes to reach its peak efficiency pill book."
English: Adderall
English: Ritalin (Australian packaging)
Adderall XR 15 mg capsuleNow, people reading this are probably all like "Wow! Big deal. Adderall XR has a whole fifteen minute advantage over Ritalin. Why does that make it so much better?" But believe me, being fifteen minutes faster is a gigantic advantage for anyone with ADHD. That fifteen minute head start towards stimulation could lead to higher test scores, better essays, and better concentration. It still works for me.
For those skeptics out there who feel Adderall XR's fifteen-minute head-start is not enough to call it better than Ritalin, try this one on. Not only is Adderall XR faster in effecting the brain than Ritalin is, but it also lasts about three times longer than Ritalin, too.
May 6, 2004- In a head-to-head comparison of two popular ADHD drugs in a classroom setting, researchers say that children treated with the stimulant drug Adderall XR showed greater improvements in their behavior and attention than those receiving Ritalin.... The Children who received Adderall XR were better behaved and focused, and these effects lasted longer. They were better able to sin in the classroom and not disrupt other kids. (Sid krchheimer)
In my experience in taking both drugs, Adderall XR easily dominates Ritalin, when it comes to how long the pills last. "Ritalin normally lasts for 3-4 hours, causing for more than one dosage a day." carol watkins "Because of its longer duration of action, it can replace Ritalin in most patients". (Diane Lore)
"The 'roller coaster effect' Is one of Ritalin's largest disadvantages. The 'roller coaster effect' Is when the first dosage of Ritalin wears off and the second dose is then taken. There is a lapse in time of effectiveness between the two doses, where the pill completely wears off and then has to take another 45 minutes to kick in again. Pillbook
"Adderall XR lasts for 12 hours with no 'roller coaster effect', unlike Ritalin, which only lasts 3-4 hours." Corydon C. Clark, M.D. This is a huge advantage against Ritalin over time, by 300%. I remember when I used to take Ritalin, how it would wear off within hours and then I'd go take my lunch-time dose, and I would be bouncing around the room, because my pills had already worn off.. Now, I take two 25mg tablets a day, and I am still going strong . "Adderall XR is encapsulated in coated beads inside of a capsule. Half of the beads dissolve immediately, and the other half dissolve about 4-6 hours later." (Carol Watkins)
The final key point that demonstrates Adderall XR's superiority over Ritalin, is Adderall XR's less harmful side effects.
The side effects that may occur from the usage of Ritalin are undoubtedly more sever, than those of Adderall XR. Ritalin's side effects consist of: "Nervousness and inability to sleep, which doctors generally control by reducing or eliminating the afternoon dose. They also include skin rash, itching, fever, appetite loss, nausea, dizziness, abnormal heart rhythm, severe headaches, drowsyness, changes in blood pressure or pulse, chest pain, stomach pain, psychotic reaction, changes in blood components, diarrhea, constipation, and there have been reported deaths from first-time users of this medication". The pill book
The side effects received from Adderall XR, are as the following: "Restlessness, dizziness, sleeplessness, dry mouth, minor muscle spasms, stomach ache, dry mouth, and loss of sex drive". (Adderall xr .com)