Concerta vs. Ritalin: Differences in Dosing, Side Effects, and More
Key takeaways:
Concerta and Ritalin are brand name versions of methylphenidate, a stimulant medication used to treat attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in kids and adults.
Concerta and Ritalin are both oral medications, but they have different dosages. Concerta is taken once daily and Ritalin is taken twice daily.
Both medications have potentially serious risks associated with them. Stimulants like Concerta and Ritalin have been linked to certain heart problems, risks of dependence and misuse, and mental health changes.
There are ways to save on methylphenidate. You can find a generic version for as low as $22.22 at certain pharmacies with a free GoodRx coupon. GoodRx can also help you access brand-name products like Relexxii (methylphenidate ER) at exclusive cash prices.
Table of contents
You’ve likely heard of attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), a common mental health condition that affects both kids and adults. It can have a big impact on your, or your child’s, day-to-day life. Luckily, there are many ways to treat ADHD. Options like lifestyle changes, smart food choices, and medications are all choices to keep in mind. If your healthcare provider suggests medication, a common recommendation is a stimulant like Concerta or Ritalin.
Whether you’re currently taking Concerta or Ritalin, or if you’ve recently been prescribed one of the two, you may be curious about the differences between them. Here, we’ll compare Concerta versus Ritalin.
What is Ritalin?
Ritalin is a brand-name version of methylphenidate, an oral stimulant medication that’s FDA-approved to treat ADHD and narcolepsy in kids and adults. Ritalin typically comes as an immediate-release (IR) tablet.
A longer-lasting version of Ritalin, called Ritalin LA, is also available as an extended-release (ER) capsule for kids up to 12 years of age.
What is Concerta?
Concerta is an oral stimulant medication that’s FDA-approved to treat ADHD in kids and adults. It’s another brand-name version of methylphenidate.
The main difference between Ritalin and Concerta is how they deliver methylphenidate. Concerta lasts longer throughout the day compared to Ritalin. This is because Concerta is an ER version of methylphenidate.
Compared to Ritalin LA, Concerta is available in tablets (as opposed to capsules). Another difference between Concerta and Ritalin LA is how long they work in your body. Concerta tends to work for up to 12 hours, whereas Ritalin LA works for up to 8 hours. Concerta is also approved for use in kids and adults — not just kids.
How do stimulant medications work for ADHD?
Stimulant medications for ADHD work in the central nervous system (brain). Methylphenidate is one example of a stimulant. Other common stimulants you may have heard of are Adderall (mixed amphetamine salts) and Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine).
These medications can raise the amount of chemical messengers called norepinephrine and dopamine in the brain. Health experts believe that raising the amount of these chemicals helps promote attention and wakefulness while controlling impulsivity.
How are Concerta and Ritalin dosed and given?
Concerta and Ritalin are both medications that you take by mouth. But Concerta is dosed slightly differently than Ritalin and Ritalin LA.
| Ritalin | Ritalin LA | Concerta | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Available pill strengths | 5 mg 10 mg 20 mg |
10 mg 20 mg 30 mg 40 mg |
18 mg 27 mg 36 mg 54 mg |
| Approved age ranges | 6 years and older | 6 to 12 years | 6 to 65 years |
| Number of doses per day | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Typical starting dose | 5 mg-10 mg twice daily | 20 mg daily | 18 mg daily |
| Maximum daily amount | 60 mg | 60 mg | 54-72 mg |
| Best time of day to take | 30 to 45 minutes before the first and second meals of the day | 30 to 45 minutes before the first meal of the day | When you first wake up |
| Generic available? | Yes | Yes | Yes |
What are the side effects of Concerta and Ritalin?
Concerta and Ritalin contain the same active ingredient, so they share many of the same side effects. Common Concerta side effects and Ritalin side effects include:
Elevated heart rate and blood pressure
Abdominal pain
Dizziness
Nausea
Feeling sweaty
Smaller appetite than normal
A unique side effect of Concerta is that a “ghost pill” — an empty tablet shell without active medication remaining — may be found in your stool after you use the bathroom. This is due to the type of tablet that Concerta is made of. There is little to no harm when this occurs. Your body should still get the intended effects of Concerta.
What are the serious risks associated with Concerta and Ritalin?
While the side effects above may be bothersome, they’re not the only ones to watch out for. More serious risks are also associated with Concerta and Ritalin, albeit rare. These include:
Heart-related problems, including a possible heart attack or stroke
Mental health changes, such as manic episodes related to bipolar disorder
Vision changes
Slower growth rate in kids
Long-lasting, painful erections
Methylphenidate is also a controlled substance. Compared to non-controlled medications, controlled substances have a higher risk of physical and mental dependence. Concerta and Ritalin both also have a boxed warning — the FDA’s most serious type of warning — about potential risks of abuse and dependence. Make sure to always follow your healthcare provider’s directions on how to take your medication.
What interactions do Concerta and Ritalin have?
With Concerta and Ritalin being made of the same active ingredient, they have comparable drug interactions. These are some common interactions to keep in mind:
Risperidone (Risperdal)
Warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven)
Certain anti-seizure medications, such as phenytoin (Dilantin)
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), such as selegiline
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), such as sertraline (Zoloft)
Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), such as amitriptyline
Medications that lower blood pressure, such as lisinopril (Zestril)
Medications that raise blood pressure, such as midodrine
Always let your healthcare provider and pharmacist know about any medications or supplements you’re currently taking. This will help them check for potential drug interactions.
Are there brand names of methylphenidate other than Ritalin and Concerta?
Yes. In addition to Concerta and Ritalin, there are other brand-name versions of methylphenidate. Some are also available as generics.
| Brand name | Dosage form | Generic available? | IR or ER |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adhansia XR | Capsule | No | ER |
| Aptensio XR | Capsule | Yes | ER |
| Cotempla XR-ODT | Oral disintegrating tablet (ODT) | No | ER |
| Daytrana | Topical patch | Yes | ER |
| Jornay PM | Capsule | No | ER |
| Metadate CD | Capsule | Yes | ER |
| Methylin | Oral solution | Yes | IR |
| QuilliChew ER | Chewable tablets | No | ER |
| Quillivant XR | Oral suspension | No | ER |
How to save on methylphenidate
There are ways to save on methylphenidate, which is available as a generic- and brand-name medication. GoodRx can help you navigate between GoodRx coupons and copay savings cards to save money on your prescription.
Save with GoodRx: Generic methylphenidate’s price at certain pharmacies is as low as $22.22 with a free GoodRx discount. A generic extended-release version may cost as little as $37.73.
Use exclusive savings: Anyone with a valid prescription, regardless of insurance status, can use GoodRx to purchase a 30-day supply of brand-name Relexxii (methylphenidate ER) at an exclusive cash price as low as $88.
Save with a copay savings card: If you have commercial insurance, you may be eligible to pay as little as $0 for Relexxii, $4 for Concerta, or $12 for Daytrana using a savings card from the manufacturer. Copay savings cards for other brand-name methylphenidate products are also available.
Keep in mind that methylphenidate is a controlled substance. Not all pharmacies accept GoodRx coupons for controlled substances.
The bottom line
Concerta and Ritalin are two different versions of the same ADHD stimulant medication — methylphenidate. The main differences include the type of pill you take and how many times you take it per day.
Concerta and Ritalin can both cause side effects like nausea, insomnia, and appetite changes. Additional concerns with these two medications include a risk of dependence and misuse, heart problems, and new or worsening mental health symptoms. It’s important to talk to your healthcare provider if you experience signs of any of these symptoms.
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References
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