Strattera ( atomoxetine ) and Ritalin ( methylphenidate ) are brand - name prescription drug . They ’re both prescribe to treat attention shortage hyperactivity disorder ( ADHD ) .

This article explains the chief similarities and differences between Strattera and Ritalin . If you ’re considering accept one of these drugs , talk over this info with your medico can aid you decide whether one of these treatments may be right for you .

For more comprehensive information , you may pertain to ourStratteraandRitalinarticles .

Note : Ritalin is available as both Ritalin and Ritalin LA . Ritalin LA is an extended - release ( ER ) unwritten capsule , which means the drug slowly enters your organisation over time . It ’s only approved for use in children . In this article , we use “ Ritalin ” to advert to both Ritalin and Ritalin LA . We use “ Ritalin LA ” to orient out deviation between the two forms of the drug . If you have question about how Ritalin and Ritalin LA compare , talk with your doctor or pharmacist .

Key differences between Strattera and Ritalin

These are a few of the main remainder between Strattera and Ritalin :

Generics: Strattera and Ritalin

Here ’s entropy about thegenericstatus for Strattera and Ritalin , and details on their active ingredient .

Uses of Strattera vs. Ritalin

The FDA has approved Strattera and Ritalin to treatADHDin adults . Ritalin is also FDA O.K. to treatnarcolepsyin adults . However , Ritalin LA is not approved for this utilization .

Strattera or Ritalin and children

Strattera and Ritalin are both approve to treatADHD in childrenages 6 years and older . Ritalin LA is only O.K. to cover ADHD in children years 6 to 12 years .

Ritalin is also approved to handle narcolepsy in children ages 6 years and sometime . But Ritalin LA is not approved for this use .

notice : For more information about the drug ’ apply , see our articles aboutStratteraandRitalin .

Side effects of Strattera vs. Ritalin

Both Strattera and Ritalin handle ADHD . These drug can get some of the same side effects , as well as some different I . Some of the side effects account in clinical trials are mentioned in the following table .

For more detail about side effect of these drugs , see our side effect articles aboutStratteraandRitalin . you’re able to also refer to the prescribing entropy forStrattera , Ritalin , andRitalin LA .

Mild side effects

The following tabular array lists some of the more usually reported mild side effects of Strattera and Ritalin . The table may also admit mild side effects that are less common but that you might have concerns about in some case .

These side effects may be temporary , lasting a few days to weeks . If the side consequence last longer than that , trouble oneself you , or become severe , be sure to mouth with your physician or pharmacist .

Serious side effects

The following table lists the reported serious side effect of Strattera and Ritalin .

  • For more contingent about these warnings , see the “ Precautions for Strattera and Ritalin ” section.†Heart attempt and virgule have only been reported in adults taking Strattera . However , children with existing heart problems , such ascardiomyopathy , have an increase risk of marrow - related side effects if they take Strattera .

If you have serious side effects while taking Strattera or Ritalin , call your doctor now . If the side effects find animation menace or you believe you ’re having a aesculapian emergency , call 911 or your local emergency number right away .

For some people , Strattera or Ritalin can cause anallergic reaction . In general , symptoms of allergic reaction can be mild or serious .

Ways to get by

For balmy allergic response symptom , such as a meek rash , call your physician right aside . They may advocate treatment to serve manage your symptom . They ’ll also let you bonk whether you should keep drive the medicine .

For wicked allergic reaction symptoms , such as swelling or trouble external respiration , call 911 or your local exigency figure right away . These symptoms take quick aesculapian care because they can become life threatening . If you ’ve had a serious allergic reaction to Strattera or Ritalin , your doctor may recommend taking a different medication instead .

Dosages, forms, and administration

Here ’s a agile look at the dosage and disposal of Strattera and Ritalin for the status both drugs plow .

Dosage for ADHD

Strattera and Ritalin are both approved to treat ADHD in adults . The come table describes their dosage , form , and governance for this function . persuasiveness is assess in milligrams ( mg ) .

Children’s dosage

Strattera and Ritalin are both approved to treat ADHD in children geezerhood 6 years and older . This incision details child ’s dosages for Strattera and Ritalin for this use of goods and services .

The Strattera and Ritalin dose information that keep an eye on is for treating minimal brain dysfunction in children . Strattera dosages in fry are found on the nipper ’s body weight in kilograms ( kg ) . One kilogram equals about 2.2 pound sterling ( lb ) . This Zen is expressed in milligrams per kilogram ( mg / kg ) .

Note : For more data about the dosage of these drugs , see our dosage articles aboutStratteraandRitalin .

Effectiveness of Strattera vs. Ritalin

Strattera and Ritalin are both FDA approved to treat ADHD . You may wonder how their effectiveness for treating the condition compares .

Prescribing information : In their individual clinical tribulation , Strattera and Ritalin were effective in treating ADHD in adults and sealed child . For details about how these drugs performed in clinical trials , see the prescribing information forStrattera , Ritalin , andRitalin LA . Keep in mind that trial results may not apply to your individual wellness situation .

Treatment guidelines : Another agency to see whether a drug is consider effective is to search at intervention guidelines . When an organization include certain drugs in discussion guidelines , this means that inquiry has shown the drug to be safe and in effect .

Strattera is recommended as a treatment pick for people with minimal brain damage in guideline from theAmerican Academy of Pediatrics ( AAP ) . Ritalin is also recommended as a treatment choice for nipper with ADHD in these AAP guidelines . decide on the best discourse for your child will come down to conversations between you , your child , and your nestling ’s Dr. .

For treat ADHD in adult , guidelines from theAmerican Academy of Family Physiciansrecommend Ritalin or Strattera as treatment option for adults with ADHD . Determining the good handling for you will count on conversation and decision qualification between you and your doc .

Cost of Strattera vs. Ritalin

How much Strattera or Ritalin cost depend on the treatment plan your doctor prescribes , your insurance plan , and your pharmacy . you could visit Optum Perks for toll estimates ofStrattera , Ritalin , andRitalin LA . ( Optum Perks is a baby website of Medical News Today . )

Strattera , Ritalin , and Ritalin LA are brand - name drugs . All three medications also come ingenericform . Brand - name medicament are often more expensive than generic wine . Talk with your doctor or pill pusher to learn about the generic physical body of either drug .

Precautions for Strattera and Ritalin

Strattera and Ritalin may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors that pretend your wellness . The two drug share some of the same precautions , but they also have dissimilar I . Some of these precautions are refer below .

Strattera boxed warning: Risk of suicidal thoughts in children and adolescents

This drug has aboxed warningfor the risk ofsuicidal thoughtsin children and adolescent . A boxed word of advice is a serious word of advice from the FDA . It alerts doctor and people about drug effects that may be serious .

Instudies , Strattera treatment make a very small addition in the unforesightful - term risk of self-destructive mentation in tiddler and stripling . No suicide come in the study .

Closely supervise your child for changes in their behaviors , idea , or mood after they start Strattera discourse . If you or your child have thoughts of self-destruction during handling , your child ’s doctor or your doctor should be severalize right away . They ’ll likely recommend stopping Strattera handling and they may recommend a differentADHD medicament .

Help is out there

If you or someone you sleep together is in crisis and consider self-annihilation or ego - impairment , please assay living :

If you ’re calling on behalf of someone else , stay with them until help arrive . You may take away weapons or nub that can cause trauma if you may do so safely .

If you ’re not in the same menage , stay on on the phone with them until help get in .

Ritalin boxed warning: Risk of misuse and addiction

This drug has aboxed warningfor the peril ofmisuseandaddiction . A boxed warning is a serious word of advice from the FDA . It alarm doc and hoi polloi about drug core that may be dangerous .

Misuse have-to doe with to taking a medicinal drug in a personal manner other than how it ’s order , such as taking a medicinal drug to finger “ eminent ” . Another example is get Ritalin to improve pedantic or work performance if you do not have ADHD . Misusing Ritalin can lead to addiction , which is being ineffectual to hold on take a drug even if it causes harm . In rare case , Ritalin abuse can cause life jeopardise side gist or death .

Due to this jeopardy , your Doctor of the Church may prescribe a medicine other than Ritalin if you have asubstance use disorder . If your doctor dictate Ritalin , they ’ll closely monitor you throughout treatment for signs of abuse or addiction . Talk with your doctor if you have questions or business organization about this word of advice .

Precautions

In summation to boxed-in warnings , Strattera and Ritalin have other warnings .

If any of the following medical term or other health factors are relevant to you , talk with your doctor before taking Strattera or Ritalin .

Note : For more comprehensive information about these two drugs , you’re able to concern to ourStratteraandRitalinarticles .

Switching between Strattera and Ritalin

flip-flop between Strattera and Ritalin is possible . If you ’d like to make out more about shift between the drugs , sing with your doctor . They can give you additional detail and help find the best form of legal action for your situation .

Even if two drugs treat the same experimental condition or are in the same drug grade , your body can still respond differently . So it ’s important that you do not arrest , commence , or switch any of your drug treatments without your doctor ’s testimonial .

Disclaimer : Medical News Today has made every effort to check that that all info is factually correct , comprehensive , and up to date . However , this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional . You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before choose any medicine . The drug information contained herein is subject to alteration and is not intended to cover all possible United States , focal point , precautions , warning , drug interactions , sensitized reactions , or adverse effects . The absence seizure of word of advice or other information for a contribute drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is good , effective , or appropriate for all patients or all specific USA .