What’s the difference between Vyvanse and Adderall for treating ADHD? Both are stimulant medications. Explore the key similarities, differences, effectiveness, and costs of these two popular ADHD treatments.

Stimulant Medications for ADHD: Vyvanse vs. Adderall – Comparing the Differences

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a prevalent neurodevelopmental condition that can cause issues with attention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity in both children and adults. Stimulant medications are a commonly prescribed pharmaceutical option to help manage the symptoms of ADHD. Two of the most widely used stimulant medications are Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine) and Adderall (mixed salts amphetamine).

How Do Vyvanse and Adderall Work?

Both Vyvanse and Adderall are amphetamine-based stimulants, meaning they work by stimulating the nervous system and increasing the levels of certain neurotransmitters, such as dopamine and norepinephrine, in the brain. This can help improve focus, concentration, and reduce hyperactive and impulsive behaviors.

The key difference between the two is the way they are formulated. Vyvanse is designed to have a slower chemical release, allowing for once-daily dosing, while Adderall is an immediate-release formulation that may need to be taken multiple times per day.

Effectiveness of Vyvanse and Adderall for ADHD

Both Vyvanse and Adderall have been extensively studied and shown to be effective in the treatment of ADHD in both children and adults. While it’s difficult to definitively say one is more effective than the other across the board, individual responses can vary, and one may work better for certain people than the other.

Potential Side Effects of Vyvanse and Adderall

As stimulant medications, Vyvanse and Adderall share similar potential side effects, including anxiety, dizziness, dry mouth, headache, loss of appetite, nausea, stomach pain, and trouble sleeping. Less common but more serious side effects can include hallucinations, increased heart rate, high blood pressure, mania, and paranoia.

It’s important to note that both drugs carry a risk of heart problems, including high blood pressure, heart attack, and stroke, especially in those with a history of heart issues. A thorough medical evaluation is recommended before starting either medication.

Potential for Misuse and Abuse

Due to the way Vyvanse is formulated, it is generally considered to have a lower potential for misuse and abuse compared to Adderall. Adderall, which works more quickly, can be more easily misused, especially by individuals with a history of addiction.

Cost Considerations

The brand-name versions of Vyvanse and Adderall are similarly priced, but Adderall has a generic version available, which can be significantly less expensive. However, the cost can vary depending on factors like insurance coverage, pharmacy, location, and any available discounts.

When considering Vyvanse vs. Adderall for ADHD treatment, it’s important to discuss the options with your healthcare provider, who can help determine the best medication based on your specific needs, response, and medical history.

Key Takeaways

• Vyvanse and Adderall are both stimulant medications used to treat ADHD, but they have some key differences in their formulation and potential for misuse.
• Both medications have been shown to be effective in the treatment of ADHD in both children and adults, but individual responses can vary.
• Potential side effects of Vyvanse and Adderall are similar, and both carry a risk of heart-related issues, especially in those with a history of heart problems.
• Vyvanse is generally considered to have a lower potential for misuse and abuse compared to Adderall, which can be more easily crushed and misused.
• Cost considerations, including the availability of generic Adderall, can also play a role in the choice between these two ADHD medications.

Ultimately, the decision between Vyvanse and Adderall for ADHD treatment should be made in consultation with your healthcare provider, who can help weigh the potential benefits, risks, and costs to determine the best option for your individual needs.

What’s the difference for ADHD?

There are currently several options to treat attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), a neurodevelopmental issue that can cause inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsive behavior in adults and children.

Stimulant medications are a commonly prescribed pharmaceutical option. These medications increase levels of certain neurotransmitters (brain chemicals) to improve concentration and focus and to help reduce hyperactive and impulsive behavior.

Lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse) and mixed salts amphetamine (Adderall) are two stimulants commonly prescribed to treat ADHD. Both drugs can be effective, but the differences in some of their features may make one of them a better choice for you.

Vyvanse and Adderall are both amphetamines (a type of stimulant), so they work in much the same way — stimulating the nervous system and increasing the amount of neurotransmitters such as dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain.

Adderall has been around longer than Vyvanse. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Adderall in 1996 and approved Adderall XR, a longer-acting, once-daily formulation of the same chemical compounds in 2002. This article will focus on immediate-release Adderall.

Vyvanse has been approved since 2007.

One of the main differences between Vyvanse and immediate-release Adderall is that Vyvanse is less likely to be misused than Adderall. This is because it’s manufactured to have a slower chemical release, allowing for once-daily dosing.

Both Adderall and Vyvanse have been FDA approved to treat health issues other than ADHD:

• Vyvanse: approved for treating binge eating disorder
• Adderall: approved to help treat a sleep disorder called narcolepsy

While these two drugs act similarly inside the body, they have different active ingredients.

• Dextroamphetamine and amphetamine are the active ingredients in Adderall.
• Lisdexamfetamine is the active ingredient in Vyvanse.

Vyvanse and Adderall are both approved to treat ADHD in people ages 6 years and older. In fact, they’re both included in the group of drugs used as first-line treatments for ADHD in children to help them focus their attention in the classroom and when studying.

Generally, it’s difficult to tell whether one of these drugs works better than the other across the board because very few head-to-head studies have compared Adderall and Vyvanse.

It may come down to the fact that everyone reacts differently to medication. Vyvanse may work well for one person, while another may respond better to Adderall. The good news is that both drugs have been studied extensively on their own and showed positive results.

Vyvanse

The effectiveness of Vyvanse has been shown in longer and short-term studies, involving both children and adults.

Adderall

Adderall has also been deemed effective in short-term and longer-term studies, as evidenced from this older study from 2001 in adults, and another study from 2011 involving adolescents and children.

Because Adderall and Vyvanse are both stimulants, they share similar side effects. A few common side effects include:

• anxiety
• dizziness
• dry mouth
• headache
• loss of appetite
• nausea
• stomach pain
• trouble sleeping
• weight loss

Less common side effects of both drugs include:

• hallucinations, which means seeing or hearing something that is not there
• increased heart rate
• high blood pressure
• mania, which refers to a period of intense energy
• paranoia, which is feeling as though someone is out to get you
• shortness of breath

In rare cases, both of these drugs can increase the risk of heart problems such as high blood pressure and increased heart rate, heart attack, stroke, and even death. Before starting Vyvanse or Adderall, get a heart checkup and tell your doctor about any history of high blood pressure or heart problems.

Adderall

Because Adderall is more easily misused because it works quickly when crushed up and used, it may have a higher potential for misuse in individuals with a history of addiction.

Vyvanse

Due to the way it requires enzymes in the body to convert it into its active form, Vyvanse is less likely to be misused — but it’s still classified as a schedule II controlled substance.

The brand-name versions of both drugs are similar in cost.

Adderall is also available as a generic drug, but Vyvanse is not. Generic drugs are often much less expensive than brand-name drugs.

Many factors — such as insurance coverage, pharmacy, location, and discounts — can affect prescription drug prices.

Your doctor will recommend a medication based on how well it works for your specific situation. This is a good time to talk to them and your pharmacist about medication costs.

Asking your doctor about changing to another drug to save costs may require dosage changes and adjustments, which can also affect costs in the end.

Adderall

The wholesale price of Adderall is approximately $113, and its generic brand is approximately $45, per bottle. These prices can change depending on the manufacturer that your pharmacy uses.

Vyvanse

The wholesale price of Vyvanse is approximately $205, but again, these prices can change based on your pharmacy.

Considering your other medications may help you decide which ADHD drug is right for you. Adderall and Vyvanse can both interact with certain other medications or chemicals. A few examples include:

• Acidifying agents. These include ascorbic acid and fruit juices. These acidic ingredients might lower the amount of drug that the body absorbs.
• Alkalinizing agents. These include sodium bicarbonate, the main ingredient in baking soda. Alkalizing agents are the opposite of acids. They might increase the body’s absorption of these drugs.
• Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MOIs). Individuals taking stimulants like Adderall and Vyvanse along with MOIs, which are a separate class of antidepressants, should be closely monitored. This drug combination (a stimulant and an MOI) may produce severe health complications in certain people.
• Opioids. Mixing a stimulant (like Adderall or Vyvanse) and an opioid (like Vicodin or OxyContin) can create physiological and mental complications, including addiction. Individuals who have been prescribed both types of drugs should be closely monitored by their doctor.

Adderall

Like other stimulants, Adderall may cause peripheral vasculopathy, including Raynaud’s phenomenon. Peripheral vasculopathy can cause vascular issues with symptoms that include fatigue and leg cramping.

Proton pump inhibitors can also have a negative effect on Adderall and increase the amount the body absorbs.

Talk with your doctor about other interactions with Adderall specifically, including those that can commonly occur.

Vyvanse

Occasionally, Vyvanse can create an adverse reaction with CYP2D6 inhibitors like Wellbutrin and Cymbalta. These CYP2D6 inhibitors can increase the body’s absorption of Vyvanse.

Because many of its possible adverse reactions overlap with Adderall, it’s best to talk with your doctor about pros and cons specific to your situation when taking Vyvanse.

Vyvanse and Adderall have both been shown to be effective for treating ADHD. The biggest differences between the two drugs are:

• the forms
• how often you take them
• their potential for misuse

Work with your healthcare professional to choose the medication that works best for you or your child.

Picking the right ADHD drug is sometimes a matter of trial and error. If the first drug you choose doesn’t work or presents with too many negative side effects, you can talk with your healthcare professional about trying a different medication.

Dexedrine vs. Adderall: Two Treatments for ADHD

ADHD treatment

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a condition which occurs in childhood and adolescence, although it can last into adulthood, and even be initially diagnosed in adulthood. ADHD and attention deficit disorder (ADD) used to be considered separate conditions. Now, the term ADHD includes ADD. The symptoms of ADHD include:

• hyperactivity and impulsive behavior
• difficulty maintaining attention or focus
• easily distracted by external stimuli
• a combination of impulsive behavior and inattention

Psychotherapy, behavior training, and education can be effective for many people with ADHD. However, treating ADHD often includes the use of medications. Before turning to these medications, the FDA has issued a boxed warning indicating that “Misuse of amphetamine may cause sudden death and serious cardiovascular adverse reactions.” Providers who prescribe medications from this drug class may screen you for potential heart problems. In some cases, depending on the provider, a baseline EKG may be obtained by your provider before starting you on a stimulant medication.

The manufacturers of the medications also list contraindications which include:

“Advanced arteriosclerosis, symptomatic cardiovascular disease, moderate to severe hypertension, hyperthyroidism, known hypersensitivity or idiosyncrasy to the sympathomimetic amines, glaucoma, and agitated states. ”

Dextroamphetamine and amphetamine (brand name: Adderall) and dextroamphetamine (brand name: Dexedrine) are both central nervous system stimulants. They’re approved for the treatment of ADHD and also for narcolepsy (a neurological condition marked by severe daytime drowsiness). These drugs are more stimulating than methylphenidate (brand name: Ritalin), which is often the first drug your doctor might give you. However, variations in individual experiences with each medication have been reported.

Why they’re prescribed

When prescribed and used properly, both medications can help people with ADHD focus more effectively. Because they contain amphetamines, both drugs are sometimes abused. Over time, tolerance may develop, as may dependence, and both substances have been reported to have a high potential for abuse.

While the actual mechanism of action for both drugs is unknown, the drug is believed to work in two ways. It is believed that the drug makes neurotransmitters last longer in the parts of the brain that control attention and alertness, and they are also believed increase the concentration of neurotransmitters. Neurotransmitters are chemicals that send signals from one brain cell to another. By making these areas more active, the drugs can help a person focus their attention. Surprisingly, stimulants can help calm a person with ADHD.

Forms and dosing

Dextroamphetamine and amphetamine (Adderall) and dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine) are usually taken in tablet form once a day. However, they may also be taken twice (or even three times) a day, depending on how a person responds to the medication. Both drugs are FDA approved to treat ADHD in adults and children aged 3 and older.

If your doctor prescribes dextroamphetamine, the starting dose will often be between 2.5 mg and 5 mg per day. The dose may need to be adjusted gradually, as your doctor monitors how well the drug is working. Adult doses range from 5 mg to 60 mg per day. Children may be given doses ranging from 2.5 mg to 40 mg per day. There are several strengths and an extended release form, so the dose can be individualized.

Dextroamphetamine and amphetamine is also started at a low dose, usually 5 mg and may be gradually adjusted by your doctor. The maximum daily dose is 40 mg to 60 mg per day. Children are often started at 2.5 mg a day, and gradually increased to a maximum of 40 mg per day. There are several strengths and also an extended release form, which makes it easier for your doctor to find the right dose for you.

You will need a written prescription from your doctor to obtain either drug.

Cost

Both drugs are available in generic forms, which are less expensive than brand name medications. Ask your doctor and talk to your pharmacist about taking the generic form.

The potential side effects of both drugs are similar. They both may raise blood pressure. The increase is usually minor, but if you’ve been diagnosed with a heart condition or hypertension, discuss the risks and benefits of these medications with your doctor.

The two medications may also cause:

• diarrhea or constipation
• urinary symptoms such as burning while urinating
• palpitations or irregular heartbeats
• dry mouth
• loss of appetite
• weight loss
• reduced growth (in children)
• insomnia
• changes in libido and impotence

In rare cases, dextroamphetamine and amphetamine (Adderall) use may result in alopecia, which is hair loss on the scalp and other parts of the body.

People taking either medication should take the lowest dose possible, in order to avoid a possible overdose.

Although rare, both drugs can cause peripheral vasculopathy, which is a problem with blood vessels of the fingers, hands, legs, and feet. If your fingers start to feel numb or cold, or if unusual wounds appear on your fingers or toes, consult a doctor immediately.

If you have a psychiatric illness or a seizure disorder, these drugs may make symptoms worse. Tell your doctor about your medical history before taking a stimulant drug.

Dextroamphetamine and amphetamine (Adderall) may cause motor tics or changes in speech similar to Tourette syndrome. Changing the dosage or changing to a different medication may alleviate some of these problems.

Both medications have a high potential for abuse, and prolonged use of these drugs have been associated with psychological dependence. These drugs may not be appropriate to take if you have a history of substance abuse, and some prescribers will not write prescriptions for the for people who have had a history of addictive disorders. Keep both medications in a secure location in your home.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

There haven’t been extensive studies conducted on how either drug affects pregnant women and their babies. However, there are concerns that amphetamines, even used at prescribed levels, may pose risks to a developing fetus, such as lower birth weight or premature birth. There is also a risk of behavioral problems in childhood. Nursing mothers should not take these drugs. Amphetamines can pass through breast milk and have toxic effects on infants.

Drug holidays

If you take a stimulant drug, you can experience side effects that can include loss of appetite and weight loss. Children can also experience reduced growth. Your doctor may prescribe a “drug holiday,” which is a deliberate break in treatment for a specific amount of time and purpose, such as identifying side effects. For example, your doctor may prescribe a drug holiday for your child during the summer when school is not in session. Everyone who takes stimulant drugs should be periodically re-evaluated to see if the drug is still effective and needed.

Potential drug interactions

Amphetamines in both medications may interact negatively with several other medications.

These drugs can interfere with the action of anti-seizure medications, like ethosuximide, phenobarbital, or phenytoin. The drugs may block the sedative effects of antihistamines in allergy medications. Antihypertensive drugs may be less effective at lowering blood pressure if you take either drug. There is also a risk of complications if you take these ADHD medications and certain antidepressant or antipsychotic drugs.

If you take either of these stimulant drugs with multivitamins, iron, or fluoride, the drug levels may drop and they may not work as well.

If you take antacids, certain antibiotics, MAO inhibitors, or proton pump inhibitors with either drug, the drug level may be increased.

If you’re prescribed either drug, be sure to tell your doctor and pharmacist about all the other drugs and over-the-counter products you currently take. Ask your health providers about warnings and side effects.

The effectiveness and safety profiles of both drugs are relatively similar. However, because each person responds differently to medication, you may find that your attention is better with one medication compared to the other. Your doctor may try you on one medication and then the other, to determine which one is most effective.

You may also have side effects with one drug that you don’t have with the other. You should know within several days of starting a new medication whether it’s effective and how well you tolerate the side effects.

Dextroamphetamine and amphetamine (Adderall) is more widely prescribed than dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine), but that doesn’t mean you wouldn’t do just as well or better on dextroamphetamine. Make sure your doctor has your complete medical history so they can make an informed recommendation. Don’t hesitate to ask for a different drug or a different dose, if you’re not experiencing adequate symptom relief with the first one you try.

Medications for ADHD

It is important to know which medications should be used in patients with ADHD. Unfortunately, not all of them are available. The main drug that is currently used in the world for the treatment of ADHD is banned in Russia – this is Ritalin. And I think it’s a big problem. But, knowing our doctors, we would spend so much Ritalin per year that maybe this is not so bad for real. Why do you want to touch this moment? Because such drugs as antipsychotics, antidepressants, anticonvulsants used to suppress the mediator system are not needed for such children. And it is used, for example, Ritalin or Straterra – drugs, on the contrary, that excite even more, it would seem. Straterra is available, you can buy it, it has a direct indication – attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. If it was prescribed by a doctor, then what does the parent do in the first place? He takes the instructions and reads that, in principle, this is an exciting drug. Our child is already so excited, we, as it were, have an understanding that there is a lot of exciting mediator. And here we are again – and we give him another pathogen. Where is the logic?

Of course, with the advent of atomoxetine, Straterra, the treatment of ADHD has changed, especially in our country. Because we have in our hands a certain drug, a certain tool with which we can help a child. Here the situation is twofold. We not only increase some neurotransmitter, we normalize its metabolism, in this case, norepinephrine. This is important because we use it throughout the school year. Then we do medicinal vacations, the second year – we look at neuropsychological testing: we prescribe further, we do not prescribe. And this tool helps, of course, to help children who really suffer from ADHD.

That is, drug therapy is really effective for those children who are not always helped by psychological rehabilitation, work with a neuropsychologist.

Why is Ritalin called baby cocaine? And why are people so afraid of Ritalin?

You know, this is apparently a myth, an international myth. The essence of the myth is that the use of Ritalin, methylphenidate leads to the fact that in the future there is an addictive disorder, and a disorder in the consumption of various substances, including drugs, alcohol. But recent studies – prospective studies, observational studies – show that there is no difference in substance abuse between people who use Ritalin to treat this disease and children who do not use it.

Is Ritalin itself addictive?

No. That is, as such, Ritalin does not cause dependence. Moreover, it is prescribed by courses, then by periods of cancellation.

Tell me, many parents ask if they can bring it from abroad. Is there anything you know about this? Are there such cases?

Such questions concern many diseases, and children’s neurology. And not only child neurology can be brought from abroad. Some drugs, it happens that it is possible to carry out, yes, for example, for treatment, there is Ritalin for childhood migraine, yes, there are triptams that are used in children from the age of 12, which is not in Russia. And you can write the recipe in English. And in a number of countries, in principle, you can buy the drug.

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Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) manifests itself in childhood and interferes with learning and socialization. It can carry over into adulthood and transform into even more serious problems – with the psyche, behavior and addictions.

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Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) manifests itself in childhood and interferes with learning and socialization. It can carry over into adulthood and transform into even more serious problems – with the psyche, behavior and addictions.

There are no statistics on people with ADHD in Russia. The Ministry of Health of Russia, based on the research of doctors, can only name an approximate percentage of the owners of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder relative to the country’s population.

While this feature of mental development is being successfully treated in the USA and European countries, patients with ADHD in Russia are still not provided with systemic assistance, and often they are not diagnosed correctly, mistaking neurological symptoms for poor upbringing.

Thin crust and self-control problem

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neuropsychiatric developmental disorder in which a person lags behind peers in developing self-control skills. It is difficult for him to endure, plan, delay rewards until results are achieved, and much more. The disease is usually observed in childhood, but is also detected in adults.

It is difficult for a person with ADHD to concentrate on one thing – his attention is scattered / Illustrations: Anya Michurova for “To be honest”

The reason lies in the particular structure of the cortex of the brain regions that are responsible for attention and cognitive control. In people with ADHD, the cortex of these areas is thinner than others. Because of this, less dopamine is produced, which helps the brain switch between tasks and focus.

The exact causes of the development of the disease have not yet been established, but heredity is called the main one. The probability that a person with ADHD has at least one relative with the same diagnosis in the family reaches 80%. It is also known that problems during the development of the fetus in the womb can increase the risk of developing the disease. For example, if the mother used alcohol or drugs during pregnancy.

The symptoms of ADHD significantly affect a child’s quality of life: interfere with social adaptation, learning, increase the risk of injury, such as bruises or accidental poisoning due to hyperactivity. In addition, the disease is accompanied by sleep disorders, early alcohol and drug addiction, as well as the risks of developing other mental disorders.

Statistics

According to some reports, ADHD suffers from 2 to 12% of today’s children. If we take into account that almost 1.5 million children were born in Russia in 2019, it turns out that about 180 thousand of this number may have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

There may be quite a few people with ADHD in Russia, but we don’t know about it because no official statistics are kept/Illustrations: Anya Michurova for “To be honest”

Attention deficit disorder in adults has only been widely recognized in the last ten years , therefore, there are currently no reliable studies on how aging affects the symptoms of the disease. However, it turned out that up to 70% of children with ADHD carry the problems associated with the disease into adulthood. Because of this, it can be difficult for an adult to work in one place for a long time, complete tasks on time, control addictions, and build healthy relationships with others.

ADHD diagnostics in Russia

In ICD-10 (International Classification of Diseases), there are three types of ADHD

• Primarily hyperactive-impulsive type ADHD (Primarily Hyperactive-Impulsive ADHD). Patients of this category feel the need for constant movement, cannot listen to speech addressed to them and perform various impulsive actions;
• Primarily Inattentive ADHD (Primarily Inattentive ADHD, formerly ADD). This type is characterized by difficulty in concentrating, forgetfulness, constant distraction to external stimuli, and frequent loss of things. Until the late 1980s, ADD was singled out as a separate attention disorder, but eventually accepted as a type of ADHD;
• Combined Type ADHD (Combined Type ADHD). In this case, a person with ADHD shows six signs of hyperactive and inattentive types each.

The same classification must be adhered to in Russia, however, for various reasons, most Russian doctors still have problems diagnosing ADHD. These problems can be roughly divided into two broad categories: overdiagnosis and neurological diagnoses, to which the syndrome does not apply.

In addition, in Russia there is still no official statistics of patients with ADHD, and this makes it difficult to see the overall picture of the detection rate of the disease.

Doctors often fail to make a correct diagnosis/Illustrations: Anya Michurova for “To be honest”

from the competence of the doctor, but also from his benevolence and experience. Elisey Osin notes that the number of incorrect diagnoses has begun to decrease. He draws such conclusions based on what patients say about other doctors, as well as on the experience of colleagues. However, the correct diagnosis is still less common than the incorrect one. In particular, neurological abnormalities such as minimal brain dysfunction (MBD) are often diagnosed instead of ADHD.

“The term MMD was popular with American physicians in the 1960s. It was used to describe children with behavioral difficulties, but without obvious mental disorders, the psychiatrist explains. “Then in the United States, MMD was abandoned, and in Russia they continue to use it.”

Also, children with ADHD are often diagnosed with an organic disorder, in other words, brain damage, a term that is as dubious as MMD, according to Elisey Osin. Diagnosis like this argues that ADHD is just a consequence of another health problem, not a disease in itself that needs to be treated. In rare cases, instead of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, both schizophrenia and autism can be detected.

“There is simply no data on the detection of ADHD in Russia,” says Elisey Osin. “But some studies suggest that the level of diagnosing the disease is low. Our figure is slightly higher than, for example, in England or Belgium in similar studies. And out of dozens of children, literally a few receive any help in connection with disorders.

In the review of the situation with ADHD in Russia, which was presented by Andrey Petrukhin and Nikolai Zavadenko, professors of the Department of Nervous Diseases of the Pediatric Faculty of the Russian State Medical University, the prevalence of ADHD in Russia is 7.6%. They obtained this result during a local medical and psychological examination among 537 Moscow schoolchildren aged 7–10 years. According to the results of the survey, 11.2% of boys and 2.5% of girls have ADHD.

In addition to the diagnostic problems identified by Elisey Osin, for example, the identification of ADHD with MMD, Petrukhin and Zavadenko also name overdiagnosis. In their opinion, the ICD-10 and DSM-IV diagnostic criteria for ADHD often create the illusion that the syndrome is easy to identify. This results in doctors not differentially diagnosing a wide range of other conditions and immediately labeling ADHD.

No support and one drug

In addition to children, the syndrome is also treated worldwide in adults: “adult” ADHD is recognized in 18 European countries. One of the most popular substances for medical support of patients in the US and Europe, methylphenidate, is prohibited by law in Russia as a psychostimulant.

Medicines that are recognized in Europe and the USA as effective in the treatment of ADHD are banned in Russia/Illustrations: Anya Michurova for “To be honest” turn into a criminal prosecution under the article for drug smuggling. This was the case, for example, with Olga Kalinovskaya from Volgograd, who ordered bupropion by mail.

Prescribing stimulants to children is one of the main issues of controversy around ADHD and the main reason for the actual lack of differentiated treatment of the disease in Russia. For drug therapy for ADHD in Russia, only one drug is available – Strattera. It is a norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor, a neurotransmitter that plays an important role in various brain processes and, in particular, in the process of selective inhibition.

The human nervous system is arranged in such a way that it reacts immediately to a large number of different things, but at this time it can concentrate on one thing. This is possible due to the fact that the internal suppression system “reduces the volume” of other signals and helps to concentrate on one more important thing.

“Strattera” increases the concentration of norepinephrine in the brain, and it becomes easier to “slow down” the nervous system. This should help ADHD patients stay focused on a specific task and be less distracted.

“I have two impressions about Strattera,” says Elisey Osin. – On the one hand, studies show that it is an effective drug. Thanks to these studies, we prescribe it quite often. On the other hand, patient reviews and medical opinions suggest that the effectiveness is still not enough.

Unapproved medications are used to treat ADHD as an alternative to Strattera, which may cause side effects. These are, for example, some antidepressants or drugs for the cardiovascular system.

“He’s simply ill-mannered”

Eight-year-old Lena Zvyagintsev from Yekaterinburg was diagnosed with ADHD about four years ago. His father Ivan says that his son was restless from birth, but at first this did not arouse suspicion – after all, all children are like that.

“He also never slept well with us. This problem persisted after three years, so we went to a neurologist,” says Ivan. – At the reception, Lenya behaved too noisily: he pulled the cabinet handles, was capricious, walked around the office in circles. The doctor said: “He’s just ill-mannered” and prescribed “Stugeron” and “Glycine”.

The active substance of Stugeron is cinnarizine, which reduces the excitability of the vestibular apparatus. This drug is often given to infants to improve the blood supply to the brain. The effectiveness of “Glycine” has not been proven.
Lenya had sleep problems, but the first attempts to solve them with medication did not lead to anything / Illustrations: Anya Michurova for “To be honest”

When it became clear that the prescribed drugs were not helping, Lenya’s parents turned to another neurologist who prescribed Atarax course.

Thanks to Atarax, Lenya began to sleep normally. The active substance of the drug – hydroxyzine – has a sedative effect, normalizes sleep, improves memory and attention. However, the body gets used to hydroxyzine rather quickly, so the problem with sleep soon returned. The boy was again taken to the neurologist, where the doctor finally announced the obvious diagnosis and prescribed Strattera.

“The first medication was scary. The child cried and asked: “Daddy, why don’t I want anything?” Ivan recalls. – Then he was constantly in a crippled state with us, he began to sleep a lot during the day. Lost appetite, began to lose some weight and became irritable. At the same time, the drug did not remove the problem of inability to concentrate.

After some time, the effect of the Stratters began to weaken altogether. After consulting with a neurologist, the Zvyagintsevs first increased the dose, and then decided to stop the drug anyway.

While schools are on distance learning, parents devote 90% of their time to Lena – there is no other way. To complete his homework, he needs a whole day with constant breaks. The boy regularly has clashes with his peers, because sometimes he scares them with his excessive activity. Tantrums for no apparent reason, tears, outbursts of aggression – this is an incomplete list of symptoms that make life difficult for Lena.

For a year now, he has not taken any medication and does not go to special classes for children with ADHD: the Spektrum-A Center for Correctional Pedagogy, where Lenya studied last year, was closed due to a conflict with the Ministry of Social Policy. There are no other specialized places in Yekaterinburg.

Aleksandrina Khaitova, president of the I am Special foundation for helping children with autism, of which the Spectrum-A center was a part, believes that the social and educational sphere in Russia is designed in such a way as to “extinguish” the disease, and not to provide support. Children with ADHD still cannot get specific help.
People with ADHD need not only medical support, but also classes with specialists – they help maintain skills that are difficult to develop on their own / Illustrations: Anya Michurova for “To be honest”

“Children with ADHD need not only medical help, but also the creation certain conditions for socialization and education: classes with psychologists, speech pathologists, experienced teachers, – says Alexandrina. “They need to develop their abilities – and many of them are very capable children with mathematical and creative inclinations – in comfortable conditions. There are no such conditions in Russia. Firstly, all this – drugs and educational centers – not every parent can afford. Secondly, everything depends on the will of chance – on what hands the child will fall into in the kindergarten, at school, how adequate his parents will be.

Since 2014, the foundation’s specialists have been striving to create a support system for children with autism spectrum disorders, and only this year they were able to come up with an initiative in the State Duma. With ADHD, everything is even more complicated: it is not considered a serious disease, no one educates parents, and medicine and the social sphere in the country have too many weaknesses.

“In Russia, the structure that should create conditions for supporting children with ADHD is stalling,” Aleksandrina believes. – The layer between the authorities and the people, this bureaucracy, it is too fat and, unfortunately, “extinguishes” most of the initiatives.