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

Most common
Dry mouth (up to 35%)
Decreased appetite (up to 33%)
Insomnia (up to 27%)
Headache (up to 26%)

Concerta

Most common
Dry mouth (≥5%)
Decreased appetite (≥5%)
Insomnia (≥5%)
Headache (≥5%)

Adderall vs. Concerta Dosage

Adderall

Dosage
Dosage Table
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

Dosage
Dosage Table
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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