Adderall Vs. Ritalin Side Effects
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 4 million children were diagnosed with ADHD in 2006. ADHD, also known as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, can cause extreme difficulty in simple everyday activities. Fortunately, there are medications that can help. Two of these medications are Adderall and Ritalin. Unfortunately, these medications do have side effects.
Other People Are Reading
-
Adderall
-
Adderall is a medication containing dextroamphetamine and amphetamine. These chemicals act as stimulants for the central nervous system. By stimulating the central nervous system, Adderall can help lessen or prevent the symptoms of ADHD.
Side Effects
-
Adderall has a wide range of side effects. Some of these side effects are more common than others, and some only have a slim chance of occurring.
Some of the common side effects of Adderall are irregular heartbeat, frequent urination, difficulty urinating, bladder or stomach pain and blood in urine.
Some of the side effects of Adderall that are less common are fever, cough, chest pain, confusion, blistering, speech difficulty, dizziness, blurred or double vision, hallucinations, itching, nausea, rash, breath shortness, ulcers, chest tightness, breathing problems, weakness, fatigue, vomiting and tics.
-
Benefits
-
According to Mayo Clinic, Adderall is successful in preventing hyperactivity and increasing concentration. It also helps those with ADHD by decreasing restlessness and stabilizing emotions in those who have emotional instability.
Ritalin
-
Ritalin, like Adderall, contains a chemical that stimulates the central nervous system. This chemical is methylphenidate. Ritalin, while similar to Adderall, has different side effects that are more common than those found in Adderall.
Side Effects
-
The most common side effect of Ritalin is an increased heart rate. Other less common side effects include fever, chest pain, rash, black stools, blood in urine, blood in stool, convulsions, cramps, red spots on skin, swelling, unusual bleeding, tics, confusion, delusions, depersonalization and severe depression.
Additional less common side effects are hives, mood swings, painful urination, sore throat, shortness of breath, swollen glands, yellow eyes or skin, change in behavior, slurred speech, fatigue, loss of coordination, insomnia, loss of appetite, anger, nausea, extreme excitement, hair loss, irritability, headache, irrational fear and drowsiness.
Benefits
-
According to Mayo Clinic, Ritalin is beneficial to those who experience ADHD symptoms such as concentration difficulties, easily distracted, hyperactivity and impulsiveness.
-
