ADHD Medications
| ADHD MEDICATIONS | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Generic | Form | Strengths | Maximum Dose | Notes | |
| ADDERALL | CII | Mixed dextroamphetamine/ amphetamine salts |
double-scored tabs | 5mg, 7.5mg, 10mg, 12.5mg, 15mg, 20mg, 30mg | usually 40mg daily in 2 or 3 divided doses |
• Give first dose on awakening; if needed, may give 1 or 2 more doses at 4–6 hr intervals. |
| ADDERALL XR | CII | Mixed dextroamphetamine/ amphetamine salts |
ext-rel caps | 5mg, 10mg, 15mg, 20mg, 25mg, 30mg | 30mg once daily |
• Give once daily in the AM. • May sprinkle contents on applesauce and swallow without chewing beads. |
| CONCERTA | CII | Methylphenidate HCI | ext-rel tabs (with immediate-release outer coating) | 18mg, 27mg, 36mg, 54mg | 72mg once daily |
• Give once daily in the AM. • Uses osmotic pressure to deliver methylphenidate at a controlled rate; has a duration of action of 12hrs. |
| DAYTRANA | CII | Methylphenidate | transdermal patches | 10mg, 15mg, 20mg, 30mg | — |
• Apply patch to hip 2 hours before desired effect, remove 9 hours after application; may remove earlier if shorter duration of effect or late day side effect appears • May titrate dose at 1-week intervals. |
| DEXEDRINE | CII | Dextroamphetamine sulfate | scored tabs | 5mg | usually 40mg daily in 2 or 3 divided doses |
• Give in the AM and then every 4–6 hrs. • May switch to once-daily Dexedrine Spansules once titrated. |
| DEXEDRINE SPANSULE | CII | Dextroamphetamine sulfate | sust-rel caps | 5mg, 10mg, 15mg | usually 40mg once daily |
• May be used for once-daily dosing when appropriate. • Patients who are titrated to a maintenance dose of immediate-release dextroamphetamine may be switched to a once-daily dose of Dexedrine Spansules. |
| FOCALIN | CII | Dexmethylphenidate HCI | tabs | 2.5mg, 5mg, 10mg | 20mg/day |
• Give twice daily (at least 4 hrs apart). • Single isomer methylphenidate product (use 1/2 of racemic methylphenidate dose initially). |
| FOCALIN XR | CII | Dexmethylphenidate HCI | ext-rel caps | 5mg, 10mg, 15mg, 20mg, 25mg, 30mg, 35mg, 40mg | 40mg/day (adults)
30mg/day (children) |
• Give once daily in the AM. • May sprinkle contents on applesauce and swallow without chewing beads. |
| INTUNIV | Rx | Guanfacine | ext-rel tabs | 1mg, 2mg, 3mg, 4mg | 4mg/day |
• Swallow whole with water, milk, or other liquid. • Do not give with high-fat meals. |
| KAPVAY | Rx | Clonidine HCl | ext-rel tabs | 0.1mg | 0.2mg twice daily |
• <6yrs: not recommended. • Swallow whole. • Titrate by response. • Withdraw gradually; reduce by 0.1mg/day at 3–7 day intervals. • Renal dysfunction: may need reduced dose. |
| METADATE CD | CII | Methylphenidate HCI | ext-rel caps (containing immediate and ext-rel beads) | 10mg, 20mg, 30mg, 40mg, 50mg, 60mg | 60mg once daily |
• Give once daily in the AM before breakfast. • May sprinkle contents on applesauce and swallow without chewing beads. |
| METADATE ER | CII | Methylphenidate HCI | ext-rel tabs | 20mg | 60mg daily in divided doses |
• May use Metadate ER when its 8-hr dose corresponds to the 8-hr immediate-release dose. |
| METHYLIN | CII | Methylphenidate HCI | tabs | 5mg | 60mg daily in 2 divided doses |
• Give before breakfast and lunch. • Some patients may benefit from a third dose given in the afternoon. |
| scored tabs | 10mg | |||||
| scored tabs | 20mg | |||||
| METHYLIN CHEWABLE | CII | Methylphenidate HCI | chew tabs | 2.5mg, 5mg, 10mg | 60mg daily in 2 divided doses |
• Give before breakfast and lunch. • Some patients may benefit from a third dose given in the afternoon. |
| METHYLIN ORAL SOLUTION | CII | Methylphenidate HCI | oral soln | 5mg/5mL 10mg/5mL | 60mg daily in 2 divided doses |
• Give before breakfast and lunch. • Some patients may benefit from a third dose given in the afternoon. |
| METHYLIN ER | CII | Methylphenidate HCI | ext-rel tabs | 10mg, 20mg | 60mg daily in divided doses |
• May use Methylin ER when its 8-hr dose corresponds to the 8-hr immediate-release dose. |
| QUILLIVANT XR | CII | Methylphenidate HCl | ext-rel oral susp | 25mg/5mL | 20mg once daily |
• Give once daily in the AM. • Shake bottle vigorously for ≥10 seconds before giving dose. |
| RITALIN | CII | Methylphenidate HCI | tabs | 5mg | 60mg daily in 2 divided doses |
• Give before breakfast and lunch. • Some patients may benefit from a third dose given in the afternoon. |
| scored tabs | 10mg | |||||
| scored tabs | 20mg | |||||
| RITALIN LA | CII | Methylphenidate HCI | ext-rel caps (half as immediate-release, half as e-c delayed-release beads) | 10mg, 20mg, 30mg, 40mg | 60mg once daily |
• Give once daily in the AM. • May sprinkle contents on applesauce and swallow without chewing beads. |
| RITALIN SR | CII | Methylphenidate HCI | sust-rel tabs | 20mg | 60mg daily in divided doses |
• May use Ritalin SR when its 8-hr dose corresponds to the 8-hr immediate-release dose. |
| STRATTERA | Rx | Atomoxetine HCI | caps | 10mg, 18mg, 25mg, 40mg, 60mg | 1.4mg/kg, max 100mg/day |
• Swallow whole. • Give once daily in the AM or in 2 evenly divided (in the AM + the late afternoon/early PM). • May discontinue without tapering dose. |
| VYVANSE | CII | Lisdexamfetamine dimesylate | caps | 20mg, 30mg, 40mg, 50mg, 60mg, 70mg | max 70mg/day |
• Give once daily in the AM. • May sprinkle contents in a glass of water and consume immediately. |
| NOTES | ||||||
|
Doses listed are manufacturers' recommended maximum doses. Individualize and use lowest effective dose. Avoid late evening doses. Re-evaluate periodically; improvement may be sustained when the drug is either temporarily or permanently discontinued. See product monographs or contact the company for more information. If paradoxical aggravation of symptoms or other adverse effects occur, the dose should be reduced or discontinued. Sustained-release (sust-rel) and extended-release (ext-rel) products must be swallowed whole and not crushed, chewed, or divided, unless otherwise noted. * Not an inclusive list. (Rev. 2/2013) |
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