dexmethylphenidate vs methylphenidate
Side-by-side comparison of dexmethylphenidate and methylphenidate Data from FDA drug databases (Orange Book, NDC Directory, recalls, shortages) covering 20,000+ approved drugs, plus CMS pricing; see our methodology.
moderate Known Drug Interaction
Risperidone Clinical Impact Combined use of methylphenidate with risperidone when there is a change, whether an increase or decrease, in dosage of either or both medications, may increase the risk of extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS).
Recommendation: Your doctor should watch you closely for any signs of muscle stiffness or tremors if your dosage is adjusted.
Focalin, Focalin XR
Ritalin, Concerta
AZSTARYS is a stimulant medicine used to treat ADHD. It can help increase attention and decrease impulsiveness and hyperactivity.
Methylphenidate extended-release capsules are a stimulant medicine. They are used to treat Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in children ages 6 to 12.
AZSTARYS is used to treat Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in people 6 years and older. ADHD can make it hard to focus, pay attention, and control impulsive behaviors. This medicine can help manage these symptoms.
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.
AZSTARYS contains two ingredients that affect chemicals in the brain. These chemicals help improve focus and attention. One ingredient is released right away, and the other is released slowly over time.
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.
- • Decreased appetite
- • Trouble sleeping
- • Feeling sick to your stomach
- • Stomach pain
- • Weight loss
- • Headache
- • Trouble sleeping (insomnia)
- • Upper abdominal pain
- • Decreased appetite
- • Loss of appetite (anorexia)
- The medicine is not working 740
- Feeling sick to your stomach 196
- Feeling worried or nervous 189
- Pain in your head 183
- Feeling very tired 169
- No side effects 6,875
- Using the medicine for a condition it is not approved for 5,881
- Problem with the quality of the medicine 5,241
- The medicine is not working 2,873
- Mistake in giving the medicine 1,901
AZSTARYS has a high risk for abuse and addiction. Misusing it can lead to overdose and death. Your doctor will check your risk before and during treatment. Store it safely and don't give it to others.
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 AZSTARYS will harm your unborn baby. There is a pregnancy registry to track outcomes in women who take ADHD medicines during pregnancy.
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 dexmethylphenidate with
Compare methylphenidate with
How to Read This dexmethylphenidate vs methylphenidate Comparison
dexmethylphenidate is classified in the CNS Stimulant drug class, while methylphenidate sits within the CNS Stimulant class. Because both drugs share the same classification, they are often considered interchangeable in theory — but clinical outcomes rarely track that cleanly. 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, dexmethylphenidate has 1,477 submissions while methylphenidate has 22,771. 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 moderate interaction flagged in FDA labeling, attributed to using these medications together can increase the risk of movement problems, especially if you change the dose of either drug. this happens because the drugs can affect how your brain controls your muscles.. 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 dexmethylphenidate 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.