Introduction
Medicines that act on the central nervous system or the CNS are called CNS stimulants. These drugs work by stimulating the brain and as a result, increasing alertness and energy. Hence, the drugs are often used by healthcare experts to control and manage the symptoms of ADHD in children and adults. One of the primary symptoms of this condition is inattentiveness which causes most people to lose focus in their activity.
Two such CNS stimulants Evekeo and Ritalin may be obtained through a certified doctor’s prescription for the treatment of ADHD condition in patients. In this blog, Evekeo Vs Ritalin, we will discuss what these drugs are and we will also learn some general information about their uses, dosages, and side effects.
Comparison Between Evekeo and Ritalin Drugs – Uses, Doses, Function and Side Effects
What is Evekeo?
Evekeo is a branded medication that is used for the treatment of ADHD in patients of 6 – 17 years. The generic variant and active ingredient of this branded drug is amphetamine sulfate. Evekeo and its generic variant are approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Both the forms of this drug, generic and branded, are prescription-only medicines.
Evekeo has a high potential for abuse. It is listed in Schedule II of the Controlled Substances Act (CSA).
What is Ritalin?
Ritalin is the brand name of the generic drug methylphenidate hydrochloride. This drug is administered for the treatment of ADHD and narcolepsy in patients. It is approved by the FDA and is a prescription-only drug.
Ritalin is a controlled substance as per the CSA. It belongs to Schedule II of the Act.
Forms of Evekeo and Ritalin
Evekeo is available at various drug stores in the form of Orally Disintegrating Tablets (ODT). The dosage strengths of the Evekeo ODT drug are as follows:
Evekeo ODT
- 5 mg
- 10 mg
- 15 mg
- 20 mg
Ritalin
Ritalin is available in immediate-release (IR) and sustained-release (SR) formulations. The dosage strengths of Ritalin drug are as follows:
Ritalin (Immediate-release)
Tablets are of strengths:
- 5 mg
- 10 mg
- 20 mg
Ritalin-SR (Sustained-release)
The extended-release tablet is available only in 20 mg dosage strength.
Uses
The medicines are used to treat the following conditions:
Evekeo Uses:
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder or ADHD is defined as a behavioral pattern that includes absent-mindedness, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. It is a neurodevelopmental disorder, which is mostly seen in children.
The exact factors that lead to the development of ADHD are not yet discovered. However, genetics, environment, and parenting are known to play a key role in its occurrence.
Ritalin
ADHD
Ritalin can be used to treat ADHD in adult patients. They may also show similar behavioral patterns like those in children. The dosage of the drug may be recommended by the doctor after examining the patient’s condition and tolerance to the medication.
Narcolepsy
Narcolepsy is a condition that affects the sleep cycle of a person. People suffering from this sleep-related disorder experience sleepiness during the daytime and suffer from random episodes of involuntary sleep. Loss of muscle strength, urge to sleep, hallucinations, etc., are common symptoms of narcolepsy condition.
The exact causes of narcolepsy are not known, but the lack of a brain chemical called hypocretin is thought to play a major role. Genetics, stress, and infection can increase the risk of narcolepsy in patients.
Dose and Dosages
Evekeo ODT
For ADHD in pediatric patients of ages 6 to 17 years, the dosing information of Evekeo drug is as follows:
- The treatment is started with an initial dose of 5 mg, taken one or two times a day.
- The dosage will be increased until the desired effects are achieved. The increments are done weekly in a quantity of 5 mg.
- The medicine is to be administered in the morning, with or without breakfast.
Ritalin
For the treatments of Narcolepsy and ADHD, the dose and dosage of Ritalin are as follows:
- For adults, 20 – 30 mg of Ritalin is administered 2 or 3 times a day. The medicine should be taken 30 – 45 minutes prior to meals.
- For children of age 6 years and more, a 5 mg dosage of the medicine is administered, twice a day. If necessary, the daily dosage is titrated in increments of 5 to 10 mg per week.
- Healthcare experts might switch to Ritalin-SR in later stages of treatment, depending on the patient’s condition and response to the drug.
- The maximum daily dosage should not be more than 60 mg.
Side Effects
Due to differences in physiology, some patients may experience side effects while they are on treatment using certain drugs such as Evekeo and Ritalin.
Common side effects that may occur in patients when taking Evekeo drug are as follows:
- Mood Swings
- Anxiety
- Difficulty falling asleep
- Loss of appetite
- Dry mouth
- Nausea
- Dizziness
Ritalin use can cause a few common side effects that are listed below:
- Headache
- Mood Swings
- Sweating
- Reduced appetite
- Indigestion
- Stomach pain
If severe side effects like hallucinations, increased heart rate, allergies, etc., occur after taking these drugs, contact the doctor immediately. These side effects may prove to be fatal and should not be ignored.
Precautions
A few precautions when taking Evekeo and Ritalin drugs are:
- Both medicines, Evekeo and Ritalin, are controlled substances as per the CSA. Abusing them may lead to addiction, overdose, or death.
- Use of the medicines should not be stopped abruptly. Doing so may lead to withdrawal symptoms.
- The drugs should not be used by individuals who are using MAO inhibitors, or who have used an MAO inhibitor in the last 14 days.
- Patients are suggested to stop using any alcoholic beverages while they are on Evekeo or Ritalin drugs.
- Drug interactions occur when taking multiple drugs or when an ingested drug reacts with food, medicine, or supplements. To avoid them, patients are recommended to not take any medicine that is not prescribed.
- Taking these drugs during pregnancy is not recommended as it may cause harm to the baby.
- Evekeo and Ritalin drugs are known to make patients dizzy. Therefore, they are advised against performing any task that requires complete attention.
