MedicationsFormulationsApproximate onset; durationStarting dosageEstimated cost*
Short-acting
Methylphenidate (Ritalin, Methylin)
  • Chewable tablet: 2.5, 5, or 10 mg

  • Tablet: 5, 10, or 20 mg

  • Solution: 5 or 10 mg per 5 mL

  • 20 to 30 minutes; 3 to 6 hours

  • 2.5 mg twice to three times daily (maximum, 30 mg per day)

  • Chewable tablet: NA ($190)

  • Tablet: $10 ($25)

  • Solution: $100 ($140)

Dexmethylphenidate (Focalin)
  • 2.5, 5, or 10 mg

  • 30 minutes; 3 to 6 hours

  • 2.5 mg twice daily (maximum, 20 mg per day)

  • $30 ($45)

Dextroamphetamine/amphetamine (Adderall)
  • 5, 7.5, 10, 12.5, 15, 20, or 30 mg

  • 30 minutes; 5 to 7 hours

  • 2.5 to 5 mg twice daily (maximum, 40 mg per day)

  • $30 ($150)

Dextroamphetamine (Zenzedi, Procentra)
  • Tablet: 5, 10, or 15 mg

  • Solution: 5 mg per 5 mL

  • 20 to 60 minutes; 4 to 6 hours

  • 5 to 15 mg twice daily (maximum, 40 mg per day)

  • Tablet: $90 ($90)

  • Solution: $240 ($360)

Intermediate-acting
Methylphenidate (Ritalin, Metadate ER)
  • 20 mg

  • 60 to 180 minutes; 3 to 8 hours

  • 20 mg twice daily (maximum, 60 mg per day)

  • $60 ($80 to $150)

Dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine)
  • 5, 10, or 15 mg

  • 60 to 90 minutes; 6 to 10 hours

  • 5 mg twice daiy; (maximum, 60 mg per day)

  • $145 ($700)

Long-acting
Methylphenidate (Ritalin, Metadate, Concerta, Daytrana, Quillivant)
  • Capsule: 10, 20, 30, 40, or 50 mg

  • Tablet: 18, 27, 36, or 54 mg

  • Transdermal patch: 10, 15, 20, or 30 mg

  • Solution: 5 mg per mL

  • Capsule: 1.5 hours; 7 to 9 hours

  • Tablet: 30 to 60 minutes; 8 to 12 hours

  • Transdermal patch: 3 hours; 10 to 12 hours

  • Oral solution: 2 hours; 12 hours

  • Capsule: 10 to 20 mg (maximum, 60 mg per day)

  • Tablet: 18 mg (maximum, 54 mg per day if < 13 years of age, 72 mg per day if ≥ 13 years of age and ≤ 2 mg per kg per day)

  • Transdermal patch: 10 mg (maximum, 30 mg per day)

  • Oral solution: 20 mg (maximum, 60 mg per day)

  • Capsule: $100 ($100 to $205)

  • Tablet: $170 ($250)

  • Transdermal patch: NA ($250)

  • Oral solution: NA ($95)

Dextroamphetamine/amphetamine (Adderall XR)
  • 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, or 30 mg

  • 30 minutes; 8 hours

  • 5 to 10 mg per day (maximum, 30 mg per day)

  • $100 ($230)

Dexmethylphenidate (Focalin XR)
  • 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, or 40 mg

  • 30 minutes; 12 hours

  • 5 mg per day (maximum, 30 mg per day)

  • $130 ($225)

Lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse)
  • 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, or 70 mg

  • 2 hours; 10 hours

  • 30 mg per day (maximum, 70 mg per day)

  • NA ($220)

Nonpsychostimulants
Atomoxetine (Strattera)
  • 10, 18, 25, 40, 60, 80, or 100 mg

  • 1 to 2 hours; 24 hours

  • ≤ 70 kg: 0.5 mg per kg for 3 days, then increase to 1.2 mg per kg per day; > 70 kg: 40 mg per day for 3 days, then increase to 80 to 100 mg per day (maximum, 1.4 mg per kg)

  • NA ($240)

Clonidine (Catapres, Kapvay)
  • Regular release: 0.1, 0.2, or 0.3 mg

  • Extended release: 0.1 or 0.2 mg

  • Regular release: 30 minutes; 6 to 8 hours

  • Extended release: 1 to 2 hours; 24 hours

  • Regular release: 0.05 mg at night for 3 to 7 days, then increase to 3 or 4 doses per day (maximum, 0.2 mg per day for < 41 kg, 0.3 mg per day for 41 to 45 kg, and 0.4 mg per day for > 45 kg)

  • Extended release: 0.1 mg at night for 7 days, then increase by 0.1 mg twice daily every week (maximum, 0.4 mg per day)

  • Regular release: $5 ($60)

  • Extended release: $80 ($145)

Guanfacine (Tenex, Intuniv)
  • Regular release: 1 or 2 mg

  • Extended release: 1, 2, 3, or 4 mg

  • Regular release: 60 minutes; 8 to 12 hours

  • Extended release: 5 to 6 hours; 24 hours

  • Regular release: 0.5 mg at night for 7 days, then increase by 0.5 mg twice daily every 3 to 7 days (maximum, 2 mg per day for < 40.5 kg, 3 mg per day for 40.5 to 45 kg, 4 mg per day for > 45 kg

  • Extended release: 1 mg morning or night for 7 days, increase by 1 mg per week (maximum, 4 mg per day)

  • Regular release: $10 ($80)

  • Extended release: NA ($275)