Adderall vs. Concerta
See how Adderall and Concerta compare on approved uses, dosing, side effects, and cost.
Key Takeaways
Adderall is an immediate-release stimulant usually taken multiple times a day, while Concerta is a once-daily extended-release tablet that lasts about 12 hours.
Both drugs are Schedule II controlled substances with a boxed warning for abuse, misuse, and the risk of overdose or death.
Adderall is FDA-approved for ADHD and narcolepsy, while Concerta is FDA-approved only for ADHD, with narcolepsy considered an off-label use.
Adderall vs. Concerta Drug Summary
Adderall
Adderall is a Schedule II CNS stimulant made of mixed amphetamine salts. It is FDA-approved for both ADHD and narcolepsy, and the immediate-release tablets are typically taken once to three times a day, spaced four to six hours apart.
Concerta
Concerta is a Schedule II CNS stimulant containing methylphenidate in an extended-release OROS tablet. It is FDA-approved for ADHD in patients 6 to 65 years old and is taken once each morning, with effects lasting about 12 hours.
Adderall vs. Concerta Side Effects
Adderall
Concerta
Adderall vs. Concerta Dosage
Adderall
Concerta
| STAGE | DOSE | WHEN |
| Starting dose | 5 mg once or twice daily | At the start |
| Maximum dose | Doses 4-6 hours apart | If needed |
| Dose changes | 3 increases | As tolerated |
| STAGE | DOSE | WHEN |
| Starting dose | 18 mg once daily | At the start |
| Maximum dose | 72 mg once daily | If needed |
| Dose changes | 4 increases | As tolerated |
Adderall
| STAGE | DOSE | WHEN |
| Starting dose | 5 mg once or twice daily | At the start |
| Maximum dose | Doses 4-6 hours apart | If needed |
| Dose changes | 3 increases | As tolerated |
Concerta
| STAGE | DOSE | WHEN |
| Starting dose | 18 mg once daily | At the start |
| Maximum dose | 72 mg once daily | If needed |
| Dose changes | 4 increases | As tolerated |
Adderall vs. Concerta Indications
Adderall
Adderall (mixed amphetamine salts) is FDA-approved to treat ADHD in patients age 3 and older and narcolepsy in patients age 6 and older. It combines four amphetamine salts in an immediate-release tablet that reaches peak effect quickly and wears off within a few hours.
ADHD in children, adolescents, and adults (age 3+)
Narcolepsy in patients age 6 and older
Immediate-release tablet, taken 1 to 3 times daily
Schedule II controlled substance
Concerta
Concerta (methylphenidate) is FDA-approved to treat ADHD in patients 6 to 65 years old. It is sometimes used off-label for narcolepsy, though it does not carry that FDA indication.
ADHD in children, adolescents, and adults (ages 6-65)
Narcolepsy (off-label use only)
Once-daily extended-release tablet
Schedule II controlled substance
Adderall vs. Concerta Pros and Cons
Adderall
Adderall is an immediate-release amphetamine that works quickly but wears off within four to six hours, so many people take it two or three times a day. It comes in widely available low-cost generic versions and is the only one of the two FDA-approved for narcolepsy as well as ADHD.
Pros
Also FDA-approved for narcolepsy, not just ADHD
Dosing can be fine-tuned with small 5 mg increments
Timing of doses can be adjusted or skipped for shorter coverage days
Cons
Must be taken up to three times a day, which is easy to forget
Blood levels rise and fall between doses, which can cause a mid-day crash
Faster onset and offset may carry higher misuse potential
Narcolepsy dosing has not been established in children under 6
Concerta
Concerta is an extended-release methylphenidate built on OROS technology that releases medication steadily over about twelve hours from a single morning dose. It cannot be crushed, chewed, or split, and some generic OROS versions have faced bioequivalence questions compared with the brand.
Pros
Once-daily dosing with no lunchtime dose needed at school or work
OROS delivery produces a steadier blood level across the day
Capsule shell is designed to resist crushing, which may lower misuse risk
Cons
Must be swallowed whole, which can be hard for patients who struggle with pills
Not approved for adults over 65 or children under 6
Less flexible for adding an extra dose later in the day
Some generic OROS versions have faced bioequivalence concerns with the brand
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