atomoxetine vs methylphenidate
Side-by-side comparison of atomoxetine and methylphenidate. Data from FDA drug databases (Orange Book, NDC Directory, recalls, shortages) covering 20,000+ approved drugs, plus CMS pricing; see our methodology.
minor Known Drug Interaction
7.7 Methylphenidate Coadministration of methylphenidate with atomoxetine did not increase cardiovascular effects beyond those seen with methylphenidate alone.
Recommendation: These drugs can be taken together, but your doctor should still monitor your heart rate and blood pressure.
Strattera
Ritalin, Concerta
Atomoxetine (Strattera) is a medicine that can help people with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). It works by affecting a chemical in the brain called norepinephrine.
Methylphenidate extended-release capsules are a stimulant medicine. They are used to treat Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in children ages 6 to 12.
Atomoxetine is used to treat Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). ADHD can cause you to be hyperactive, impulsive, and have trouble paying attention. This medicine can help you focus, be less impulsive, and feel calmer. It is for both kids and adults.
This medicine treats Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in children. ADHD can make it hard to focus, pay attention, and control impulsive behavior. This medicine can help improve focus and reduce hyperactivity.
Atomoxetine works by increasing the amount of norepinephrine in your brain. Norepinephrine is a chemical that helps you pay attention and control your impulses. By increasing norepinephrine, atomoxetine can improve ADHD symptoms.
Methylphenidate is a central nervous system (CNS) stimulant. It works by affecting chemicals in the brain that contribute to hyperactivity and impulsivity. The extended-release capsules release the medicine in two stages, providing both an immediate and a delayed effect.
- • Feeling sick to your stomach
- • Throwing up
- • Feeling tired
- • Not feeling hungry
- • Belly pain
- • Headache
- • Trouble sleeping (insomnia)
- • Upper abdominal pain
- • Decreased appetite
- • Loss of appetite (anorexia)
- Feeling sick to your stomach 431
- Head pain 407
- Feeling tired 401
- The health problem got worse 395
- High blood pressure 388
- Problem with the quality of the medicine 5,241
- Mistake in giving the medicine 1,901
- Incorrect way of using the medicine 1,772
- Redness where the medicine was applied 1,684
- Skipping a dose of the medicine 1,478
Atomoxetine can increase the risk of suicidal thoughts in children and teenagers. Watch carefully for worsening mood or any unusual changes in behavior. Tell your doctor right away if you have any suicidal thoughts or feelings.
This medicine has a high potential for abuse and dependence. Your doctor will assess your risk before prescribing it and monitor you during treatment. Misuse of this medicine may cause sudden death or serious heart problems.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if atomoxetine will harm your unborn baby. There is a pregnancy registry for women who take ADHD medicines during pregnancy. Talk to your doctor about how to register.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if this medicine will harm your unborn baby. There is a pregnancy registry for women who take ADHD medicines during pregnancy.
Also Compare, Nearby Drugs
Compare methylphenidate with
How to Read This atomoxetine vs methylphenidate Comparison
atomoxetine is classified in the Selective Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitor drug class, while methylphenidate sits within the CNS Stimulant class. Drugs from different classes work through distinct mechanisms, so a head-to-head comparison illustrates trade-offs rather than equivalence. Both drugs are prescription-only, so a licensed provider must authorize use.
Adverse event totals above are pulled from the FDA's Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). For these top-ranked reactions alone, atomoxetine has 2,022 submissions while methylphenidate has 12,076. Those figures reflect cumulative reporting volume, not per-patient risk, so older, widely dispensed drugs typically look worse on count alone. These two drugs have a known minor interaction flagged in FDA labeling, attributed to taking these two drugs together does not seem to cause extra stress on the heart compared to taking methylphenidate by itself.. Serious warnings, pregnancy guidance, and contraindications can differ even when indications overlap.
A table cannot substitute for clinical judgment. Effectiveness, tolerability, drug-drug interactions with your other medications, kidney and liver function, pregnancy status, insurance formulary, and price all feed into a decision that only a licensed prescriber can make responsibly. Data here is sourced from FDA Structured Product Labels (SPL) and FAERS, both of which update as manufacturers and clinicians submit new information. This page is for educational purposes only, is not medical advice, and should not be used to self-switch between atomoxetine and methylphenidate - always consult your physician or pharmacist first.
Important: This comparison is for informational purposes only. Drug effects vary between individuals. Always consult your doctor or pharmacist for personalized medical advice.