Stimulant Medications- naming names Part II of III

Some of the more well known name medications used to treat ADHD:

Amphetamine Category Methylphenidate Category

Adderall Ritalin

Adderall XR Ritalin SR, LA

Dexedrine Methylin, Methylin SR

Vyvanse Focalin, Focalin XR

Evekeo Concerta

Zenzedi Daytrana

Quillivant XR

Amphetamine Category

Adderall

Adderall XR

Same as Adderall above except for hours of action
The capsule contains 2 types of medication beads. This leads to 2 pulses of delivery. Length of action generally reported as about 6 hours.

Dexedrine (Brand name)

Vyvanse

Lisdexamfetamine (contracted from L-lysine- dextroamphetamine)
Does not have levoamphetamine
Used to treat ADHD and binge eating disorder. Can also be used to treat other issues as shown above.
Is a pro-drug to dextroamphetamine (shown above).
“Pro drug” means that it is an inactive version of dexedrine. It is only activated upon absorption when the L-lysine is cleaved from dextroamphetamine by an enzyme.
Lasts 8 to 10 hours generally, according to patient reports.

Evekeo

Amphetamine Sulfate
Racemic form- Both Levo and Dextro isomers in a 50-50 ratio. The L-isomer is more potent than the D- isomer in cardiovascular activity but much less potent in causing CNS effects.
Less effective in appetite suppression compared to dextroamphetamine
Duration of action- up to 10 hours
Besides treatment for ADHD, Evekeo has an indication to treat Narcolespy

Zenzedi

Dextroamphetamine sulfate, Brand name (as opposed to the generic, Dexedrine aka dextroamphetamine)
Duration= 4 to 6 hours

Methylphenidate category

Ritalin

Ritalin SR

Ritalin LA

Differs from Ritalin in that its duration is longer, i.e. 6 to 8 hours
Capsule is made up of 2 different beads and therefore 2 different peaks of action.
Therefore, not slower to start acting (like Ritalin SR)

Methylin, Methylin ER

Focalin, Focalin XR

Focalin is dexmethylphenidate
Each methylphenidate molecule has a mirror image, i.e. right sided and left sided or dextro and levo. Focalin only has the dextro side. The Levo is isolated out and removed.
Dosing
It has the same impact as Ritalin but at half the dose. For example, 5mg Focalin is equivalent to 10mg Ritalin.
The difference between Focalin and Focalin XR is the duration. Duration times vary depending on the individual. That said, on average Focalin may last for about 6 hours and Focalin XR can last for 8 to 10 hours.

Concerta

Methylphenidate that lasts for 12 hours.
Capsule constructed with a thin layer of ritalin on the outside for immediate action (about 30 to 40 min after ingestion).
Then it has tiny holes that allow for “pump action” where water pushes in and medication comes out, slowly, over about 12 hours.
Can be useful in older children who don’t go to bed as early as younger children.
It is good to cover the entire school day and homework time, if planned properly.

Daytrana

Methylphenidate in the form of a patch
Benefits-
For children who cannot swallow pills
Dosing- can cut the patch to the exact dose that is right for the child.
Duration- can stop by removing patch
Drawbacks-
Reports that it can irritate the skin. Therefore, may have to put in different places and rotate so as to avoid irritation in one spot.