Around 4% to 5 % of adults and children are suffering from attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in the United States. ADHD can be diagnosed during childhood, but sometimes it may occur later in adulthood. There are two drugs, Desoxyn and Adderall which are commonly used for treating ADHD conditions in adults and children. But some differences
Desoxyn vs Adderall should be noted.
People who are suffering from ADHD may show various signs like impulsive behavior, hyperactivity, excessive talking, loss of attention, and many more. In this blog, you will learn about these drugs such as their uses, dosage strengths, side effects, and precautions.
Comparison: Desoxyn vs Adderall
What is Desoxyn?
Desoxyn is a branded medicine and its generic drug is methamphetamine. It is a CNS stimulant and an anorexian. This drug is a prescription-only medicine, and it is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for treating ADHD.
What is Adderall?
Adderall is a drug that is used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adults or children. Adderall is a branded name for the combination of dextroamphetamine and amphetamine which are generic drugs. Both of these are CNS stimulants and can be used to treat ADHD.
Adderall is a prescription-only drug, and it is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). It is also categorized as a Schedule II drug by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA).
How Both are Similar?
Desoxyn and Adderall drugs are mostly used to treat the symptoms of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) as well as narcolepsy. Both medications are used for treating the problem of ADHD in adults and children. They belong to a class of drugs called central nervous system (CNS) stimulants.
Healthcare experts generally use these CNS stimulants to treat narcolepsy and ADHD in patients. Both of the drugs are Schedule II controlled substances and prescription medications. The DEA considered both medications to be schedule II narcotic drugs due to their high abuse potential.
Uses: Desoxyn vs Adderall
Uses of Desoxyn and Adderall are mentioned below:
Desoxyn:
It is prescribed for the treatment of ADHD in patients who are 6 years and older. Desoxyn may also be used to treat obesity.
Adderall:
This drug is used in the treatment of ADHD and Narcolepsy. Also helps in improving concentration, and focus, reducing hyperactivity and impulsive behavior in ADHD patients.
Desoxyn and Adderall Dose & Dosage Strength:
Forms & Strengths: Desoxyn vs Adderall
Desoxyn:
This drug is available in the strength of 5 mg in the form of oral tablets.
Adderall:
Adderall is available in two different forms, which are immediate-release (IR) tablet form and extended-release (ER) capsule form.
- Adderall immediate-release (IR) tablet is available in different strengths 5 mg, 7.5 mg, 10 mg, 12.5 mg, 15 mg, 20 mg, and 30 mg.
- Adderall extended-release (ER) capsules or Adderall XR with the strengths 5 mg, 10 mg, 15 mg, 20 mg, 25 and 30 mg are available.
Doses of Desoxyn and Adderall Medicines:
Doses of Desoxyn Drug:
In the case of ADHD Patients, the recommended initial dosage of Desoxyn is 5 mg per day.
For treating obesity, a 5 mg oral tablet is taken, 30 minutes before every meal.
Adderall Doses:
(1) For ADHD:- A tablet of 5 mg is recommended once or twice a day for those patients who are above 6 years of age. Children between the ages of 3 to 5 years are prescribed to take 2.5 mg twice a day.
(2) For Narcolepsy:- The dosage strength to treat narcolepsy for adults is 10 mg. It can be taken one time in a day. For patients who are between the ages of 6 to 11 years, the dose will be 5 mg per day.
Adderall XR Doses:
(1) ADHD – Adults and Children
- For adults who are above 18 years, the recommended dose is 20 mg in a day.
- The suggested dose is between 5 mg to 10 mg for children who are between 6 and 12 years. It can be consumed one time in a day.
- For children of ages between 13 and 17 years, the prescribed dose is 10 mg once a day.
(2) Narcolepsy Patients
A dose of 5 mg can be administered to patients who are between the ages of 6 and 11 years, and it can be taken once a day.
In individuals who are above 12 years of age, the advised dose is 10 mg of Adderall XR which can be consumed regularly.
All the doses mentioned above are initial doses, which means these drugs are used in the starting of any treatment such as ADHD or narcolepsy. Your healthcare expert often regulates initial doses, until the optimum result is acquired.
Side Effects of Both Drugs:
Common side effects of Desoxyn and Adderall are listed below:
- Sleeping problem
- Stomach pain
- Dry mouth
- Loss of appetite
- Weight loss
- Dizziness
- Constipation
- Headache
- Fast heartbeats
The Serious side effects of both medications are mentioned below:
- Chest pain
- Anxiety
- Breathing problems
- Muscle twitches
- Vision problem
- Changes in skin color
- Numbness
- Feeling of cold
- Hallucinations
- Panic attack
- Depression
- Aggressiveness
- Change in behavior
- Allergic reactions
Sometimes, side effects may occur due to overdose or interaction of these drugs with other medications, vitamins, and herbal supplements. You should immediately contact your healthcare experts before the side effects get worse.
Precautions of Desoxyn and Adderall:
- Both medications are habit-forming, you should never share these medicines with other people, especially with those who have a history of drug abuse or addiction.
- Patients should avoid both of these drugs if they have taken an MAO inhibitor in the last 14 days.
- An individual can take these drugs with or without food in the morning.
- Medicines are always stored at room temperature and kept away from moisture, heat, and light.
- Overdoses of these medications can be dangerous and may cause seizures or coma.
- You should avoid driving or hazardous activity after taking these medications because these can impair your cognitive ability.
Conclusion:
So, concluding the blog Desoxyn vs Adderall, we have seen that both are used to treat Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. But Adderall is also used to treat Narcolepsy and Desoxyn is used for Obesity. Comparing both medicines we can conclude that Adderall is better than Desoxyn. Hope, this blog will be helpful and informative for you!
