Mental health is equally important as physical health. There are different types of mental health conditions that vary from person to person. They may affect the sleep and wake cycle of people lead to sleep disorders and can cause hormone imbalances. Both problems can affect the personal and social life of an individual. Among various mental problems, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is common in children and lasts till adulthood.
There are many medicines available in the market to treat these neurological problems. Today we will discuss two medicines Evekeo and Ritalin. On the basis of different aspects, they are classified. Let’s start the blog!
What is Evekeo?
It is a branded drug which comprises amphetamine (an active salt). This is also used in many other brand names. The US FDA has permitted this medication to treat ADHD and narcolepsy in individuals. It also helps in treating overweight.
Evekeo drug acts as a CNS catalyst to minimize its symptoms in children. It is considered as a controlled substance under Scheduled II because of high chance to be abused or misused.
What is Ritalin?
This medicine is FDA-approved for treating disturbed sleep-wake cycle or narcolepsy and behavior-related disorder namely attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Methylphenidate is a pharmaceutical substance that is used in this and other branded medications like Ritalin LA (capsule).
It has a high tendency to be abused so, it is categorized as a federally controlled substance of Schedule II. The CNS stimulant is the medicinal class of this drug.
Comparison Between both Drugs (Evekeo vs Ritalin)
Mechanism of Action
Both Evekeo and Ritalin have different ingredients, however, they belong to the same group of medicines namely Central Nervous System Stimulant. The mechanism of these drugs is not fully known yet.
There are two chemical messengers such as norepinephrine and dopamine. Both are important for the function of our nervous system. The medicinal components help in preventing the reabsorption of these signaling molecules.
These drugs act as a blocker and increase the level of these neurotransmitters which helps to maintain focus, alertness etc., in the patients. As a result, it helps to overcome narcolepsy, ADHD, and obesity.
Similarities Between Ritalin & Evekeo
1) Both are helpful in treating attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and narcolepsy.
2) These medicines are categorized to the same drug class, CNS stimulants.
3) Their mode of action is the same to some extent.
4) Both are branded medications.
5) These two drugs are allowed by the US FDA to treat above certain medical conditions.
Differences Between Evekeo vs Ritalin
1) Active Components
- Evekeo- Amphetamine Sulfate
- Ritalin- Methylphenidate hydrochloride
2) Dose & Dosage Strength: Evekeo vs Ritalin
Ritalin Form:-
It comes in the form of an oral tablet and the dosage strengths are as follows:-
- Ritalin 5 mg- yellow, round shape and imprint of CIBA 7
- Ritalin 10 mg– pale green, round shape and embossed with CIBA 3
- Ritalin 20 mg– pale green, round shape with imprint of CIBA 34
Dosage Administration
After analyzing the patient’s medical condition and age, the doctor prescribes the amount of the medicine. There are different medicinal strengths for adults and children which are as follows-
- For Children
Children who are above 6 years can start with a small dose of 5 mg. It can be taken before breakfast and lunch, its dosage strength can be increased slowly every week.
- For Adults
The medicinal strength varies from patient to patient and its moderate dose is between 20 to 30 mg that can be taken twice or thrice a day. This can be increased on the basis of the patient’s health condition.
Those individuals who have difficulty in sleeping then its last dose can be consumed in the evening before 6 pm.
Evekeo Form:-
It is available in an oral tablet form with the following dosage strengths:-
- Evekeo 5 mg- white, round shape with an imprint of EVK 5
- Evekeo 10 mg– blue, round shape and embossed with EVK 10
Dosage Administration
There are different dosage strengths for treating ADHD, narcolepsy and obesity. Doctors determine the strength depending on the patient’s health codition.
3) Uses of Both Drugs
- Evekeo
It is helpful in treating these disorders:-
a) ADHD:- It is a condition in which a person has difficulty focusing, uncontrollable behavior, and is overly active. The medicine helps to improve an individual’s focus, concentration, and behavior control capacity.
b) Narcolepsy:- When an individual is not able to manage his or her sleep and feels daytime drowsiness then this drug helps to reduce this sleep attack.
c) Obesity:- When extra fat gets deposited then it increases body weight and to some extent, this medication is helpful in reducing weight in obese.
- Ritalin
It treats the following health problems:-
a) ADHD:-
It is a brain related disorder in which a person has no control over their behavior so this medicine helps to reduce its symptoms.
b) Narcolepsy:-
When the sleep and wake cycle gets disturbed then this problem arises and this drug helps to regulate sleep-wake cycle.
4) Side Effects of Ritalin and Evekeo Medication:
Common Side Effects
- Headache
- Feeling of fear
- Nausea
- Decrease in body weight
- Mood swings
- Abdominal cramps
- Palpitation
- Decreased appetite
- Head spinning
- Vomiting
- Xerostomia or dry mouth
- Restlessness
- Heartburn (in Ritalin)
- High blood pressure (in Ritalin)
- Sexual dysfunction (in Evekeo)
- Difficulty in passing stool (in Evekeo)
Severe Side Effects
- Hallucination
- Nausea
- Pain in the chest
- Lack of coordination
- Sweating
- Vomiting
- Skin color of toes and fingers get change
- Feeling cold
- Difficulty in breathing
- Palpitation or fast heart beat
- Tightness in the muscles
- Seizures (in Evekeo)
- Swelling in face, throat, tongue and lips due to allergic reaction
- Prolonged erection (in Ritalin)
- Aggressive behavior
- Watery stool
Precautions for Evekeo and Ritalin Drug:
- before taking any of these drugs, consult with a health specialist will be helpful.
- Patients should remember to discuss their health issues with a healthcare expert before starting these medications.
- Don’t use any alcoholic drinks during these drug treatments.
- After consuming these medications, if their side effects remain for a long duration then immediately you should seek medical attention.
Conclusion:
Mental health crises cause stressful moments which affect us physically and emotionally. I hope after reading this blog, you get to know about these neurological problems and how they affect your body and nervous system.
You will learn how these medicines effectively work and on what basis these are differentiated. However, it is suggested to take these drugs under supervision of a medical advisor to prevent any fatal health consequences.
