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Ritalin Alternatives Compared

View side-by-side comparisons of medication uses, ratings, cost, side effects and interactions.
Ritalin (methylphenidate) Xywav (calcium oxybate / magnesium oxybate / potassium oxybate / sodium oxybate) Adderall (amphetamine / dextroamphetamine)
View side-by-side comparisons of medication uses, ratings, cost, side effects and interactions.
Ritalin (methylphenidate) Xywav (calcium oxybate / magnesium oxybate / potassium oxybate / sodium oxybate) Adderall (amphetamine / dextroamphetamine)
Prescription only

Prescribed for ADHD, Narcolepsy. Ritalin may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Prescription only

Xywav may be used to treat idiopathic hypersomnia in adults or narcolepsy in adults and children aged 7 and older. It contains 92% less sodium than sodium oxybate (Xyrem) because it is made up of a... View more

Prescription only

Adderall is a combination of four different amphetamine salts and may be used to improve attention, focus, or reduce impulsive behaviors in children over the age of 3 and adults with ADHD. It can... View more

More about Ritalin (methylphenidate) More about Xywav (calcium oxybate / magnesium oxybate / potassium oxybate / sodium oxybate) More about Adderall (amphetamine / dextroamphetamine)
Ratings & Reviews

Ritalin has an average rating of 7.0 out of 10 from a total of 222 ratings on Drugs.com. 57% of reviewers reported a positive effect, while 18% reported a negative effect.

Xywav has an average rating of 8.1 out of 10 from a total of 16 ratings on Drugs.com. 81% of reviewers reported a positive effect, while 13% reported a negative effect.

Adderall has an average rating of 7.2 out of 10 from a total of 505 ratings on Drugs.com. 63% of reviewers reported a positive effect, while 18% reported a negative effect.

View all 222 reviews

View all 16 reviews

View all 505 reviews

Side Effects Experienced by Users Side effects are reported in Drugs.com user reviews and not clinically verified.

View all Ritalin side effects

View all Xywav side effects

View all Adderall side effects
Drug Class
Generic Availability

Lower cost generic approved

No lower cost generic approved

Lower cost generic approved
Pricing and Coupons * Prices are without insurance
Quantity 100 tablet
Strength 20 mg
Per unit* $1.92
Cost* $192.30

View all Ritalin prices

Quantity 180 mL
Strength 0.5 g/mL
Per unit* $39.14
Cost* $7,044.96

View all Xywav prices

Quantity 100 tablet
Strength 5 mg
Per unit* $12.62
Cost* $1,262.31

View all Adderall prices

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Dosage Forms
  • Oral tablet
  • Oral liquid
  • Oral tablet
Brand Names
Other methylphenidate brands include: Aptensio XR, Concerta, Cotempla XR-ODT, Daytrana, Jornay PM, Metadate CD, Methylin, Methylin ER, QuilliChew ER, Quillivant XR, Relexxii, Ritalin LA View more

N/A

 Other amphetamine / dextroamphetamine brands include: Adderall XR, Mydayis
Half Life Drug half-life is the time required for plasma concentration to reduce to half its original value.

4 hours

0.66 hours

14 hours
CSA Schedule 1 View glossary of CSA terms
2
High potential for abuse

Has a high potential for abuse. Has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States or a currently accepted medical use with severe restrictions. Abuse may lead to severe psychological or physical dependence.
3
Moderate abuse potential

Has a potential for abuse less than those in schedules 1 and 2. Has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse may lead to moderate or low physical dependence or high psychological dependence.
2
High potential for abuse

Has a high potential for abuse. Has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States or a currently accepted medical use with severe restrictions. Abuse may lead to severe psychological or physical dependence.
Pregnancy Category
C
Category C Risk cannot be ruled out

See the full pregnancy warnings document.

Summary unavailable.

See the full pregnancy warnings document.
C
Category C Risk cannot be ruled out

See the full pregnancy warnings document.
Drug Interactions

A total of 207 drugs are known to interact with Ritalin:

  • 23 major drug interactions (100 brand and generic names)
  • 173 moderate drug interactions (730 brand and generic names)
  • 11 minor drug interactions (33 brand and generic names)

A total of 346 drugs are known to interact with Xywav:

  • 244 major drug interactions (1065 brand and generic names)
  • 102 moderate drug interactions (333 brand and generic names)

A total of 220 drugs are known to interact with Adderall:

  • 38 major drug interactions (135 brand and generic names)
  • 174 moderate drug interactions (939 brand and generic names)
  • 8 minor drug interactions (28 brand and generic names)
Alcohol/Food/Lifestyle Interactions
  • Do not use alcohol or medications that contain alcohol while you are receiving treatment with... View more
  • Food may interfere with the absorption of sodium oxybate. You should wait at least 2 hours after... View more
  • Using amphetamine together with alcohol can increase the risk of cardiovascular side effects such... View more
Disease Interactions
First Approval Date

December 05, 1955

July 21, 2020

January 19, 1960
WADA Class View classifications

N/A

N/A
More Information
Patient Resources
Professional Resources
Related Treatment Guide

1 The Controlled Substances Act (CSA) schedule information displayed applies to substances regulated under federal law. There may be variations in CSA schedules between individual states.

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Medical Disclaimer

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