List all adhd medications

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ADHD medications complete list 2025 FDA approved stimulants non-stimulants

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Here is a complete list of ADHD medications, drawn from Kaplan & Sadock's Synopsis of Psychiatry (Table 2-16) and supplemented with current FDA approval data.

ADHD Medications

STIMULANTS (First-Line)

Stimulants are dopamine agonists and are effective in 65-75% of patients. They come in methylphenidate-based and amphetamine-based families.

Methylphenidate-Based

Brand Name	Formulation	FDA Age
Ritalin	Methylphenidate IR	6+
Ritalin LA	Methylphenidate long-acting	6+
Metadate ER	Methylphenidate extended-release	6+
Metadate CD	Methylphenidate extended-release	6+
Methylin	Methylphenidate oral solution / chewable	6+
Concerta	Methylphenidate OROS (10-12 hr)	6+
Daytrana	Methylphenidate transdermal patch	6+
Adhansia XR	Methylphenidate extended-release	6+
Aptensio XR	Methylphenidate extended-release	6+
Contempla XR-ODT	Methylphenidate extended-release orally disintegrating tablet	6-17
Jornay PM	Methylphenidate extended-release (evening dosing)	6+
Quillichew ER	Methylphenidate extended-release chewable	6+
Quillivant XR	Methylphenidate extended-release suspension	6+

Dexmethylphenidate-Based (D-isomer of methylphenidate)

Brand Name	Formulation	FDA Age
Focalin	Dexmethylphenidate IR	6+
Focalin XR	Dexmethylphenidate extended-release	6+
Azstarys	Serdexmethylphenidate/dexmethylphenidate (prodrug combination)	6+

Amphetamine-Based

Dextroamphetamine

Brand Name	Formulation	FDA Age
Dexedrine	Dextroamphetamine	3+
ProCentra	Dextroamphetamine oral solution	3+
Zenzedi	Dextroamphetamine tablets	3+

Mixed Amphetamine Salts (dextroamphetamine + amphetamine)

Brand Name	Formulation	FDA Age
Adderall	Mixed amphetamine salts IR	3+
Adderall XR	Mixed amphetamine salts extended-release	6+
Mydayis	Mixed amphetamine salts extended-release (16 hr)	13+

Amphetamine (racemic / lisdexamfetamine)

Brand Name	Formulation	FDA Age
Evekeo	Amphetamine sulfate	3+
Evekeo ODT	Amphetamine orally disintegrating tablet	6-17
Adzenys XR-ODT	Amphetamine extended-release ODT	6-17
Adzenys ER	Amphetamine extended-release suspension	6-12
Dynavel XR	Amphetamine extended-release suspension	6+
Vyvanse	Lisdexamfetamine (prodrug; lower abuse potential)	6+ (also adults)

NON-STIMULANTS

Non-stimulants provide a smaller effect size than stimulants but are preferred when stimulants are not tolerated, cause worsening anxiety or tics, or when there is a substance abuse concern.

FDA-Approved Non-Stimulants

Drug	Brand	Class	Mechanism	Notes
Atomoxetine	Strattera	SNRI	Norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor	Ages 6+; black-box warning for suicidal ideation; takes 6-12 weeks for full effect
Guanfacine ER	Intuniv	Alpha-2 agonist	Stimulates alpha-2A receptors in prefrontal cortex	Ages 6-17; also used adjunctively with stimulants
Clonidine ER	Kapvay	Alpha-2 agonist	Similar to guanfacine, more sedating	Ages 6-17; helpful for tics and stimulant-induced insomnia
Viloxazine ER	Qelbree	SNRI (selective norepinephrine)	Norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor + 5-HT modulator	Ages 6+ and adults; approved 2021; good for emotional dysregulation

Off-Label Non-Stimulants (commonly used)

Drug	Class	Notes
Bupropion (Wellbutrin)	NDRI antidepressant	Used in adults, especially with comorbid depression; variable efficacy
Imipramine / Nortriptyline	Tricyclic antidepressants	Used when other options fail; cardiac monitoring required
Modafinil	Wakefulness agent	Off-label adult use; evidence is limited

KEY POINTS

First choice: Stimulants (methylphenidate or amphetamine preparations) - try at least one from each class before moving to non-stimulants.
Adequate trial doses: Methylphenidate >0.8 mg/kg/day; mixed amphetamine salts ~0.5 mg/kg/day.
Cardiac precaution: Stimulants are contraindicated in patients with known cardiac abnormalities.
Atomoxetine carries a black-box warning for suicidal ideation - monitor closely.
Viloxazine (Qelbree) is the newest FDA-approved non-stimulant (2021), and is now approved for adults as well.
Investigational: Centanafadine (triple reuptake inhibitor - NE/DA/5HT) is in Phase 3 trials as of 2025 and would be the first of its class if approved.

Sources: Kaplan & Sadock's Synopsis of Psychiatry (Table 2-16); Kaplan & Sadock's Comprehensive Textbook of Psychiatry; FDA ADHD treatment page; CHADD FDA-approved medications

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