Daytrana vs. Adderall

Daytrana (methylphenidate) and Adderall (amphetamine and dextroamphetamine salts) are central nervous system stimulants used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Adderall is also used to treat narcolepsy.

Side effects of Daytrana and Adderall that are similar include headache, stomach pain, loss of appetite, weight loss, trouble sleeping (insomnia), dizziness, nausea, vomiting, vision problems/blurred vision, irritability, nervousness, dry mouth, and constipation.

Side effects of Daytrana that are different from Adderall include local skin reactions (mild redness, irritation, or bumps on the skin under the patch), lightheadedness, stuffy nose, sore throat, blue fingers or toes, cold hands or feet, and (rarely) drowsiness.

Side effects of Adderall that are different from Daytrana include restlessness, excitability, agitation, fear, anxiety, agitation, tremor, weakness, unpleasant taste in mouth, diarrhea, fever, hair loss, loss of interest in sex, impotence, difficulty having an orgasm, increase blood pressure, increased heart rate, and heart palpitations.

Both Daytrana and Adderall may interact with blood pressure medications, antidepressants, and seizure medicines.

Daytrana may also interact with blood thinners and clonidine.

Adderall may also interact with heart medications, diuretics (water pills), cold or allergy medicines (antihistamines), acetazolamide, chlorpromazine, haloperidol, lithium, meperidine, methenamine, phenobarbital, reserpine, ammonium chloride, ascorbic acid (vitamin C), potassium phosphate, antacids, sodium bicarbonate (Alka-Seltzer), potassium citrate, sodium citrate and citric acid, sodium citrate and potassium, and stomach acid reducers.

Withdrawal symptoms may occur if you suddenly stop using Daytrana.

Side effects of Daytrana include:

• mild redness,
• irritation, or
• bumps on the skin under the patch.

This will usually improve even if the patch is left on. Other side effects of Daytrana include:

• headache,
• stomach pain,
• loss of appetite,
• weight loss,
• trouble sleeping (insomnia),
• dizziness,
• nausea,
• vomiting,
• lightheadedness,
• vision problems,
• irritability,
• nervousness,
• stuffy nose,
• sore throat,
• dry mouth,
• constipation,
• blue fingers or toes,
• cold hands or feet, or
• (rarely) drowsiness.

Daytrana may raise your blood pressure. Check your blood pressure regularly and tell your doctor if the results are high. Tell your doctor if you have serious side effects of Daytrana including:

• numbness/pain/skin color change/sensitivity to temperature in the fingers or toes,
• fast/pounding/irregular heartbeat,
• mental/mood/behavior changes (such as agitation, aggression, mood swings, abnormal thoughts, thoughts of suicide),
• uncontrolled muscle movements (such as twitching, shaking),
• sudden outbursts of words or sounds that are hard to control, or
• slow healing sores or ulcers on the tips of fingers or toes.

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Stop using this medication and call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:

• fast, pounding, or uneven heartbeats;
• pain or burning when you urinate;
• talking more than usual, feelings of extreme happiness or sadness;
• tremors, hallucinations, unusual behavior, or motor tics (muscle twitches); or
• dangerously high blood pressure (severe headache, buzzing in your ears, anxiety, confusion, chest pain, shortness of breath, uneven heartbeats, seizure).

Less serious side effects may include:

• headache, weakness, dizziness, blurred vision;
• feeling restless, irritable, or agitated,
• sleep problems (insomnia);
• dry mouth or an unpleasant taste in your mouth;
• diarrhea, constipation, stomach pain, nausea, vomiting;
• fever;
• hair loss, loss of appetite, weight loss; or
• loss of interest in sex, impotence, or difficulty having an orgasm.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Daytrana (methylphenidate) is a central nervous system stimulant used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Adderall is a central nervous system stimulant prescription medicine. It is used for the treatment of Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Adderall may help increase attention and decrease impulsiveness and hyperactivity in patients with ADHD.

Adderall should be used as a part of a total treatment program for ADHD that may include counseling or other therapies.

Adderall is also used in the treatment of a sleep disorder called narcolepsy.

Adderall is a federally controlled substance (CII) because it can be abused or lead to dependence. Keep Adderall in a safe place to prevent misuse and abuse. Selling or giving away Adderall may harm others, and is against the law.

Daytrana may interact with:

• blood pressure medications,
• blood thinners,
• clonidine,
• seizure medicines, or
• antidepressants

Tell your doctor all medications you use.

Tell your doctor about all of the medicines that you or your child take including prescription and nonprescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

Adderall and some medicines may interact with each other and cause serious side effects. Sometimes the doses of other medicines will need to be adjusted while taking Adderall.

Your doctor will decide whether Adderall can be taken with other medicines.

Especially tell your doctor if you or your child take:

• anti-depression medicines including MAOIs
• blood pressure medicines
• seizure medicines
• blood thinner medicines
• cold or allergy medicines that contain decongestants
• stomach acid medicines

Know the medicines that you or your child take. Keep a list of your medicines with you to show your doctor and pharmacist.

Do not start any new medicine while taking Adderall without talking to your doctor first.

Daytrana patch should be applied to the hip area 2 hours before an effect is needed and should be removed 9 hours after application. Dose titration, final dosage, and wear time is individualized to the needs and response of the patient.

• Take Adderall exactly as prescribed. Your doctor may adjust the dose until it is right for you or your child.
• Adderall tablets are usually taken two to three times a day. The first dose is usually taken when you first wake in the morning. One or two more doses may be taken during the day, 4 to 6 hours apart.
• Adderall can be taken with or without food.
• From time to time, your doctor may stop Adderall treatment for a while to check ADHD symptoms.
• Your doctor may do regular checks of the blood, heart, and blood pressure while taking Adderall. Children should have their height and weight checked often while taking Adderall. Adderall treatment may be stopped if a problem is found during these check-ups.
• If you or your child take too much Adderall or overdoses, call your doctor or poison control center right away, or get emergency treatment.