Choosing ADHD Medication: A Guide for Adults and Children
How do you choose the best medication for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)? Here’s what you need to know about ADHD medications, from how they work to the risks.
amphetamine salt combo XR (Mydayis)
Used for ADHD
Used for ADHD
Mydayis is a stimulant medication for attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). It contains an extended-release amphetamine salt combo (dextroamphetamine and amphetamine salts). Mydayis comes as a capsule for people 13 years of age and older. It's taken by mouth once a day in the morning after waking up. The dosage can be adjusted based on how well the medication works for you. Common side effects include low appetite, trouble sleeping, and dry mouth. It's a controlled substance because of its risk of misuse and dependency. Mydayis is a brand-name and generic medication.
What is Mydayis?
What is Mydayis used for?
- Attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in people ages 13 years and older
How Mydayis works
Mydayis is a stimulant medication. Researchers aren't exactly sure how it works to help with ADHD. But they know that the medication raises the level of chemicals in your brain called norepinephrine, dopamine, and serotonin. This is thought to help you pay attention and focus better.
When does Mydayis start working?Time passed since treatment started:
Drug facts
| Common Brands | Mydayis |
|---|---|
| Drug Class | Stimulant |
| Controlled Substance Classification | Schedule II |
| Generic Status | Lower-cost generic available |
| Availability | Prescription only |
Risks and warnings for Mydayis
Mydayis can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Risk of misuse and addiction
- Risk factors: History of substance or alcohol use disorder | Taking more Mydayis than prescribed
Mydayis has a high risk of potential misuse. Misusing this medication can be very dangerous. It can cause serious side effects like fast heart rate, high blood pressure, aggression, and even thoughts of hurting yourself or others. It can also lead to addiction or a deadly overdose.
To stay safe, take Mydayis exactly as prescribed to you. Don't change the dose or how often you take it without talking to your prescriber first. Speak with your prescriber if you're worried about these risks.
Risks to people with serious heart conditions
There have been reports of sudden death in people with heart problems taking stimulants like Mydayis. Before starting this medication, tell your prescriber about any heart issues like coronary artery disease (CAD) or heart rhythm problems (arrhythmia). It can also include problems with the structure of your heart. Your prescriber can make sure Mydayis is safe to take.
Higher blood pressure and faster heart rate
Stimulants like Mydayis can make your blood pressure and heart rate go up. On average, blood pressure can go up by 2 mmHg to 4 mmHg. And, heart rate might be 3 to 6 beats per minute faster.
Let your prescriber know if you have high blood pressure or a history of a fast heart rate. They can make sure Mydayis is safe for you. Tell your care team if your blood pressure is higher than usual or if you feel your heart racing.
Strange thoughts or behaviors
- Risk factors: History of psychotic episodes or other manic psychiatric conditions | Personal or family history of depression | Family history of suicide or bipolar disorder
Stimulants like Mydayis can sometimes cause people to act or think in strange ways. This can include being aggressive, acting recklessly, or having too much energy. Some people might start to see or hear things that aren't there (hallucinations). And others might start to believe things that aren't true.
Sometimes, this can happen in people who've never had these problems before. But these symptoms can be worse or be more likely to happen if you already have a mental health condition like psychosis or bipolar disorder. Your prescriber will check your risk before you start taking Mydayis.
If you start acting strange or have unusual thoughts, tell your prescriber. You might need to stop taking Mydayis.
Slow growth in children
Stimulants like Mydayis have been linked to weight loss in children. They've also been linked to slower growth (in both height and weight) for children. Your child's care team will measure their height and weight often. If your child isn't growing as much as expected, their primary care provider might recommend taking a break from the medication.
Talk to your child's primary care provider or prescriber if you notice your child has lost too much weight. Also speak with the prescriber if you're worried about your child's growth.
Problems with blood flow in the arms and legs, including Raynaud's phenomenon
Stimulants including Mydayis have been linked to problems with blood flow in the arms and legs. This includes a problem called Raynaud's phenomenon, which affects blood flow to your fingers and toes.
Raynaud's phenomenon can cause your fingers and toes to change color from pale, to blue, to red. They can also feel cold, numb, or painful. These symptoms happen with changes in how much blood flows to your fingers and toes. Most times, symptoms are mild and happen from time to time. But rarely, it can lead to other problems like sores or tissue damage.
Let your care team know if you have any of these symptoms while taking Mydayis. Usually, they get better after your prescriber lowers your dose or after you stop the medication.
Seizures
- Risk factors: History of seizures | High risk of seizures
Although rare, stimulants like Mydayis might make seizures happen more easily. The risk is higher if you've had seizures before. If you have a seizure, get medical help right away. You'll probably have to stop taking Mydayis.
Serotonin syndrome
- Risk factors: Taking monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOI) within 14 days of Mydayis | Taking other medications that raise serotonin levels in your brain
The risk of a rare but serious problem called serotonin syndrome is higher if you take Mydayis with some other medications. This problem happens when there's too much serotonin in the brain.
Medications that can make serotonin syndrome more likely are those that raise serotonin levels in the brain. They include some antidepressants, MAOIs, and migraine medications called triptans. Let your care team know about all the medications you take or plan to take. They can check for drug interactions and make changes if needed.
Get medical help right away if you have signs of serotonin syndrome. Look out for a fast heart rate, sweating, stiff muscles, high fever, changes in behavior, and confusion.
Side effects of Mydayis
The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Common Side Effects
Children:
- Low appetite (22%)
Adults:
- Trouble sleeping (31%)
- Low appetite (30%)
- Dry mouth (23%)
Less Common Side Effects
Children:
- Nausea
- Stomach pain
- Dizziness
- Weight loss
- Feeling irritable
- Trouble sleeping
Adults:
- Diarrhea
- Weight loss
- Fast heart rate
- Feeling jittery
- Feeling agitated
- Anxiety
Mydayis serious side effects
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Changes in thoughts or behavior: manic episodes, hallucinations, delusional thinking
- Serotonin syndrome: fast heart rate, sweating, fever, muscle stiffness or spasms, confusion
- Seizure
- Allergic reaction: rash; hives; trouble breathing; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat
When do Mydayis possible side effects begin and end?
Time passed since treatment started:
H
D
W
M
Trouble sleeping
Risk of low appetite
If a line continues to the right, you'll likely keep experiencing this side effect once it starts.
The following Mydayis side effects have also been reported
Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:
- Allergic reactions—skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
- Heart attack—pain or tightness in the chest, shoulders, arms, or jaw, nausea, shortness of breath, cold or clammy skin, feeling faint or lightheaded
- Heart rhythm changes—fast or irregular heartbeat, dizziness, feeling faint or lightheaded, chest pain, trouble breathing
- Increase in blood pressure
- Irritability, confusion, fast or irregular heartbeat, muscle stiffness, twitching muscles, sweating, high fever, seizure, chills, vomiting, diarrhea, which may be signs of serotonin syndrome
- Mood and behavior changes—anxiety, nervousness, confusion, hallucinations, irritability, hostility, thoughts of suicide or self-harm, worsening mood, feelings of depression
- Prolonged or painful erection
- Raynaud syndrome—cool, numb, or painful fingers or toes that may change color from pale, to blue, to red
- Seizures
- Stroke—sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm, or leg, trouble speaking, confusion, trouble walking, loss of balance or coordination, dizziness, severe headache, change in vision
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report these to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):
- Dry mouth
- Headache
- Loss of appetite with weight loss
- Nausea
- Stomach pain
- Trouble sleeping
Get your GoodRx coupon
$390.59
GoodRx discount
$92.45
Pros and cons of Mydayis
Pros
- A first-choice medication for ADHD
- Taken by mouth once a day with or without food
- Starts to work within 45 minutes and can last for up to 16 hours
- Can open capsule and sprinkle contents on applesauce if you have trouble swallowing pills whole
Cons
- Has a risk of misuse and dependency
- A controlled medication, so there are special requirements for getting the prescription filled
- Need to take gradually lower doses before stopping to prevent withdrawal symptoms
- Not the best choice for people with heart conditions
Pharmacist tips for Mydayis
- Take Mydayis once a day in the morning after you wake up. Don't take it later in the day because it might make you have trouble sleeping at night.
- Swallow the Mydayis capsule whole. But if you have a hard time doing this, you can open the capsule and sprinkle all the contents onto a spoonful of applesauce. Make sure to swallow all of it right away without chewing. Don't save it to take later.
- You can take Mydayis with or without food. But be consistent so the medication works about the same from day to day. Try not to eat or drink too many acidic things like fruit juice, citrus fruits, and foods high in vitamin C. These things can affect how well the medication gets absorbed into the body.
- Try to limit how much coffee or other caffeinated beverages you drink while taking Mydayis. Caffeine is also a stimulant. So it can cause similar effects as Mydayis. This includes feeling jittery, having higher blood pressure, and having trouble sleeping. Talk to your care team about other ways to stay alert if needed.
- Don't drive the first few days after you start Mydayis and after your dose changes until you know how the medication affects you. It could be dangerous to drive if Mydayis makes you feel jittery, nervous, or dizzy.
- It's common not to feel as hungry while taking Mydayis. When you do eat, be sure your meals are balanced and nutritious to stay healthy. Talk to your care team if you're worried about your nutrition.
- Let your prescriber know if you have tics or Tourette syndrome. They can help you decide if Mydayis is a good choice for you because the medication might make these problems worse.
- Take Mydayis exactly like your prescriber told you. Don't lower your dose or suddenly stop taking the medication without talking to them first. Otherwise, you might get withdrawal symptoms. You might feel more tired or uneasy or have trouble sleeping. If you want to stop Mydayis, your prescriber will lower your dose slowly before you can completely stop taking it.
- Accidentally taking too much Mydayis can lead to a dangerous overdose. Make sure you and the people you're close with know what an overdose could look like. Watch for signs like restlessness, fast breathing, paranoia, aggression, confusion, and hallucinations. Call 911 right away if this happens.
Mydayis dosage
The average cost for 30 capsules of 50mg of Mydayis is $92.45 with a free GoodRx coupon. This is 76.33% off the average retail price of $390.57. 
Capsule
Capsule| Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12.5mg | 30 capsules | $92.45 | $3.08 |
| 25mg | 30 capsules | $92.45 | $3.08 |
| 37.5mg | 30 capsules | $92.45 | $3.08 |
| 50mg | 30 capsules | $92.45 | $3.08 |
Typical dosage for Mydayis
- Children ages 13 to 17 years old: The typical starting dose is 12.5 mg by mouth once a day in the morning. The maximum dose is 25 mg per day.
- Adults ages 18 to 55 years old: The typical starting dose is 12.5 mg by mouth once a day in the morning. The maximum dose is 50 mg per day.
Your prescriber will adjust your dose based on how well it's helping your ADHD and if you have side effects. They might also change your dose if you're taking a medication that interacts with Mydayis or if you have severe kidney problems.
How much does Mydayis cost?
To access savings, use a GoodRx coupon and pay just a fraction of the retail price.
Mydayis contraindications
Contraindications are specific health conditions or situations in which a person should not take a medication due to safety concerns. If you have any of the following conditions or if any of the following apply to you, let your healthcare provider know because Mydayis will not be safe for you to take.
- Allergy to amphetamine products
- Currently take or have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI), linezolid (Zyvox), or methylene blue (ProvayBlue) in the last 14 days
What are alternatives to Mydayis?
There are a number of medications that your doctor can prescribe in place of Mydayis. Compare a few possible alternatives below.
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