Ritalin vs. Strattera

See how Ritalin and Strattera compare on approved uses, dosing, side effects, and cost.

Key Takeaways

  • Ritalin is a stimulant that starts working within about an hour, while Strattera is a non-stimulant that can take several weeks to reach full effect.

  • Ritalin is a Schedule II controlled substance with misuse potential, while Strattera is not a controlled substance and has no abuse risk.

  • Both treat ADHD in children 6 and older and in adults, but only Ritalin also carries an FDA approval for narcolepsy.

Ritalin vs. Strattera Drug Summary

Ritalin

Ritalin (methylphenidate) is a central nervous system stimulant approved to treat ADHD in children 6 and older and adults, and it is also FDA-approved for narcolepsy. It comes as tablets taken two to three times a day, usually 30 to 45 minutes before meals, with the dose raised weekly until symptoms improve.

Strattera

Strattera (atomoxetine) is a non-stimulant that works by blocking norepinephrine reuptake, and it is approved to treat ADHD in children 6 and older and adults. It comes as a capsule taken once daily or split into two doses, with the dose increased over the first several days to a target maintenance level.

Ritalin vs. Strattera Side Effects

Ritalin

Most common
decreased appetite (up to 8%)
dry mouth (up to 7%)
nausea (up to 5%)
headache (up to 14%)

Strattera

Most common
decreased appetite (up to 25%)
dry mouth (up to 21%)
nausea (up to 26%)
abdominal pain (up to 18%)

Ritalin vs. Strattera Dosage

Ritalin

Dosage
Dosage Table
STAGE DOSE WHEN
Starting dose 5 mg twice daily At the start
Maximum dose Max 60 mg/day If needed
Dose changes 3 increases As tolerated

Strattera

Dosage
Dosage Table
STAGE DOSE WHEN
Starting dose 0.5 mg/kg/day Days 1-3
Maximum dose 100 mg once daily Week 5 onward
Dose changes 4 increases As tolerated

Ritalin vs. Strattera Indications

Ritalin

Ritalin is FDA-approved to treat ADHD in children 6 and older and in adults. It is also approved for narcolepsy, a sleep disorder that causes excessive daytime sleepiness. It is not approved for depression or general fatigue.

  • ADHD in children ages 6 and older

  • ADHD in adults

  • Narcolepsy (excessive daytime sleepiness)

  • Not approved for depression or general fatigue

Strattera

Strattera is FDA-approved to treat ADHD in children 6 and older and in adults. Unlike Ritalin, it is not approved for narcolepsy or for depression. It works differently from stimulants, so it is sometimes chosen for patients who cannot take a controlled substance.

  • ADHD in children ages 6 and older

  • ADHD in adults

  • Not approved for narcolepsy

  • Not approved for depression

Ritalin vs. Strattera Pros and Cons

Ritalin

Ritalin acts quickly, often improving focus within 30 to 60 minutes, but its effects wear off after a few hours and usually require multiple daily doses. As a Schedule II controlled substance, it carries a real risk of misuse and comes with tighter prescribing rules than Strattera.

Pros

  • Starts working within about an hour of the first dose

  • Roughly $90 to $125 a month without insurance, less with a discount card

  • Long track record of use dating back to 1955

  • Flexible dosing lets doctors fine-tune timing across the day

Cons

  • Schedule II controlled substance with misuse and diversion risk

  • Wears off in a few hours, so most people need 2 to 3 doses a day

  • Can raise heart rate and blood pressure

  • Not recommended for patients with significant anxiety or agitation

Strattera

Strattera builds up gradually over several weeks, so it will not give same-day relief the way a stimulant can. It is not a controlled substance, which means easier refills and no misuse risk, though it carries its own boxed warning for suicidal thinking in young people.

Pros

  • Not a controlled substance, so no refill restrictions or misuse risk

  • One dose can cover a full 24 hours, unlike short-acting stimulants

  • No stimulant-type jitteriness or appetite crash

  • An option for patients who cannot take stimulants due to heart risk or a history of substance use

Cons

  • Can take several weeks to reach full effect

  • Carries a boxed warning for suicidal thinking in children and teens

  • Higher rates of nausea and stomach upset than Ritalin

  • Generic atomoxetine runs roughly $394 to $461 a month, far more than generic Ritalin

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