What's the Difference Between Concerta Vs Ritalin?

Concerta and Ritalin are both common types of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) medications for kids. They are two different brand formulations of the same active ingredient, methylphenidate. You may have heard of both of them, and wondered which medication is the better choice for your child. 

They’re both safe and effective. They even have the same active ingredient, so it can be even harder to choose between the two. Both Concerta and Ritalin can be great options for your child, but they’re also not the only options.

It’s important to have all of the correct information when looking into ADHD medications for your child. Here’s everything you need to know as a parent about the similarities and differences between Concerta and Ritalin.

What is Concerta?

Concerta is a most popular type of ADHD medication for kids. It’s a stimulant medication that contains the active ingredient methylphenidate. Concerta is approved for kids over the age of 6, as well as teens and adults (under the age of 65). On top of ADHD, doctors also prescribe it to treat narcolepsy.

Concerta is only available in extended-release capsules, and it was the first extended-release form of methylphenidate to be approved by the FDA.

What is Ritalin?

Ritalin is a type of stimulant ADHD medication that also contains the ingredient methylphenidate. Ritalin is approved for kids with ADHD over the age of 6 as well as teens and adults. It’s also used to treat narcolepsy.

Ritalin is available in short-acting (Ritalin), sustained-release (Ritalin SR), and long-acting (Ritalin LA) forms.

Concerta vs. Ritalin

Concerta and Ritalin are both effective stimulant medications for ADHD. They both contain the same active ingredient, methylphenidate. This is different from other stimulant ADHD medications, like Adderall, which contain mixed amphetamine salts as the main active ingredient.

All stimulant medications are very effective for treating ADHD. Around 80% of kids experience relief from their symptoms with stimulants like Concerta and Ritalin. Methylphenidate, including both Concerta and Ritalin, is usually recommended as the first-line ADHD treatment for kids and teens.

Since both Concerta and Ritalin have the same exact active ingredient, parents are often confused about what the differences are and which is better.

There is no right answer about whether Concerta or Ritalin is a “better” medication. Both are safe and effective. Some kids prefer Concerta, while others prefer Ritalin. Others still prefer another type of stimulant, like Adderall, or a non-stimulant ADHD medication like Strattera.

One of the few differences between Ritalin and Concerta is how long they work. Concerta works through a unique OROS delivery system; increased doses of the medicine are released into the bloodstream at different points in the day. Concerta works for around 12 hours, and usually only needs to be taken once a day.

Ritalin, on the other hand, starts working almost immediately but wears off after 2 or 3 hours. Because of this, kids need to take Ritalin 2 or 3 times a day to get all-day benefits. It’s important to note that when we talk about Ritalin, we’re talking about it in its original form: short-acting. Ritalin is now also available in sustained-release and long-acting forms. Long-acting Ritalin (Ritalin LA) is effective for up to 10 hours.

But just because Concerta lasts longer than Ritalin doesn’t automatically make it the better medication choice for your child. Some kids prefer shorter-acting medication so they can time exactly when the medication enters their system. This is especially true if they get side effects from ADHD medication.

There are also differences in dosages between Concerta and Ritalin. The recommended starting dosage for Concerta for kids and teens is 18mg while starting at only 5mg is recommended for Ritalin. 

You can read more about the differences between Concerta and Vyvanse, another ADHD medication.

How Concerta and Ritalin work for ADHD

Since both Concerta and Ritalin are two different forms of methylphenidate, they work for ADHD in the same way. 

Central nervous system stimulants like methylphenidate work by increasing levels of certain chemicals, like dopamine, that are available for use in the brain. They do this by blocking the reabsorption of these chemicals into nerve cells. 

When kids have ADHD, their brains don’t work like other kids. Having more dopamine in the brain helps kids with ADHD to focus better and be less impulsive. There’s also some evidence that suggests that methylphenidate can help kids with academic achievement.

Cost

There is a fairly significant cost difference between brand name Concerta and brand name Ritalin. One pill of Concerta tends to cost more than one pill of Ritalin (original short-acting). But since you only need to take it once a day, it may end up being less expensive than Ritalin, which you need to take multiple times a day.

Both medications are available in generic forms, which brings down the cost significantly. How much each of these medications costs exactly depends on your health insurance coverage.

Side effects

Since Concerta and Ritalin are made of the same active ingredient, methylphenidate, they come with the same possible side effects and risks. One difference is that, since Ritalin starts working faster, it may be easier to time exactly when these side effects come on.

Most kids don’t have very uncomfortable side effects with Concerta or Ritalin. If you notice that your child seems to be having severe side effects, then you should talk to their doctor immediately. It could be possible that their dosage needs to be lowered.

Some common, but mild, side effects of Concerta and Ritalin include:

• Loss of appetite
• Problems sleeping
• Anxiety
• Headache
• Upset stomach
• Mood change and irritability

Some more severe, but less common, side effects include:

• Hypersensitivity and allergic reaction
• Dizziness
• Drowsiness
• Weight loss
• Increased blood pressure and heart rate

Most of the common side effects can usually be controlled by reducing the dosage or changing the timing of these medications. For example, your child’s doctor might tell you to give them another dose before bedtime.

Some parents may have heard that ADHD medications like Concerta or Ritalin turn children into “zombies.” Although Concerta and Ritalin can cause mood changes in children, they should not make them spacey or apathetic (the “zombie effect”). If you notice this effect in your child, talk to their doctor. It’s possible that their dose is too high.

Another concern for parents is whether stimulant medications like Concerta and Ritalin could cause delayed growth in their child. The FDA labels for both of these medications include the warning that children who seem to be missing their growth spurts while taking these medications should be closely monitored. 

However, newer research has found that while kids may have temporarily delayed growth while starting these medications, they seem to make up for it with time. In other words, the delay doesn’t appear to be permanent.

Lastly, if your child already has a history of a substance use disorder, especially if they’ve become addicted to other stimulant drugs like cocaine or methamphetamines in the past, then their doctor might recommend that they take a non-stimulant ADHD medication. Methylphenidate doesn’t directly cause addiction, but it is a classified substance with a potential for abuse.

Kids with certain pre-existing health conditions, or who take certain other medications, may not be eligible for methylphenidate medications like Concerta or Ritalin. For example, a type of antidepressant medication called monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) can have dangerous and even fatal interactions with methylphenidate. 

This is not an exhaustive description of all of the side effects, risks, and precautions that can come with Concerta and Ritalin. The most important thing to take away is the importance of being completely honest with your child’s doctor about your child’s and your family’s health history.

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Takeaway

Concerta and Ritalin are both effective, safe, and common ADHD medications. They’re both approved for kids and teens over the age of 6. Since Concerta and Ritalin both have the same active ingredient, methylphenidate, they’re equally effective and have the same side effects and risks.

The reason why someone might choose either Concerta or Ritalin over the other option could be based on how long these medications last. Concerta lasts for longer, and increases dopamine levels throughout the day. Ritalin starts working faster but stays in the system for less time. 

If your child tries Concerta or Ritalin and finds that it doesn’t work for them, then their doctor may recommend they try the other option. They might also recommend that they try an amphetamine-based stimulant, or even a non-stimulant ADHD medication like Strattera. 

The journey to finding the “right” medication for your child is sometimes a long one. But don’t lose hope; evidence shows that these medications work for kids with ADHD, and can make a big difference in their quality of life.

This article is for informational purposes and is not a substitute for individual medical or mental health advice. Please consult with your or your child's prescribing doctor before changing, starting, or stopping a medication routine.