Stimulants by Duration Short-Acting: Methylphenidate Methylin (Methylphenidate HCl); oral solution / chewable tablet; Generic Age: ≥ 6 y/o Onset: ~20-60 min Duration: 3-4 hours Considerations: Typically dosed multiple times per day. May be taken with or without food. Liquid: Colorless, grape-flavored liquid; store at room temperature.  Chewable: Grape-flavored chewable tablet. Initial Dose: 5 mg twice daily (before breakfast and lunch) Titration: 5-10 mg weekly Max Dose: 2mg/kg/day up to 60 mg/day Focalin (Dexmethylphenidate); tablet; Brand/Generic Age: ≥ 6 y/o Onset: ~ 30 minutes Duration: 5-6 hours Considerations:   Give approximately 1/2 the methylphenidate dose. Administer orally twice daily, at least 4 hours apart, with or without food. Initial Dose: New to methylphenidate: 2.5 mg twice daily Currently taking methylphenidate: Start with half the current total daily dose of methylphenidate (up to 10 mg twice daily) Titration: Increase by 2.5-5 mg daily every 3 to 7 days Max Dose: 20 mg/day (10 mg twice daily) Ritalin (Methylphenidate); tablet; Brand/Generic Age: ≥ 6 y/o Onset: ~ 20-60 min Duration: 3-4 hours Considerations: Abrupt onset and offset may increase the number and severity of side effects. Administer 30 to 45 minutes before meals. Initial Dose: Pediatric (6+ y/o): 5 mg twice daily (before breakfast and lunch) Adults: 10-15 mg twice or three times daily Titration:  5-10 mg weekly Max Dose: 60 mg/day Amphetamine Adderall (amphetamine salt combo); tablets; Brand/Generic Age: ≥ 3 y/o Onset: 30-60 minutes Duration: 4-6 hours Considerations: Administer first dose upon awakening; additional doses at 4-6 hour intervals; may take with or without food (high-fat meals may delay absorption) Initial Dose: 3-5 y/o: 2.5 mg daily 6+ y/o: 5 mg 1-2 times daily Titration: 3-5 y/o: 2.5 mg weekly 6+ y/o: 5 mg weekly Max Dose: ≤50 kg: 40 mg/day >50 kg: 60 mg/day (Narcolepsy) Evekeo (Amphetamine sulfate); tablet; Brand Age: ≥ 3 y/o Onset: ~ 30-60 minutes Duration: 4-6 hours Considerations: Take the first dose on awakening. Additional doses may be given at intervals of 4-6 hours.  Initial Dose: 3-5 y/o: 2.5 mg daily 6+ y/o: 5 mg once or twice daily Titration: 3-5 y/o: 2.5 mg weekly 6+ y/o: 5 mg weekly Max Dose: 40 mg/day ProCentra (Dextroamphetamine sulfate); oral solution; Brand/Generic Age: ≥ 3 y/o Onset: ~ 30 min Duration: 4-6 hours Considerations: Bubblegum-flavored; may be taken with or without food. Shake bottle before administering. Store at room temperature. Initial Dose: 3-5 y/o: 2.5 mg daily 6+ y/o: 5 mg once or twice daily Titration: 3-5 y/o: 2.5 mg weekly 6+ y/o: 5 mg weekly Max Dose: 3-5 y/o: 40 mg/day 6+ y/o: 60 mg/day Zenzedi (Dextroamphetamine sulfate); tablet; Brand only at the 2.5 mg and 7.5 mg doses / Generic Age: ≥ 3 y/o Onset: ~ 30-60 minutes Duration: 4-6 hours Considerations: Take the first dose on awakening. Additional doses may be given at intervals of 4-6 hours. Periodic drug holidays are recommended to assess the patient’s condition. Initial Dose: 3-5 y/o: 2.5 mg daily 6+ y/o: 5 mg once or twice daily Titration: 3-5 y/o: 2.5 mg weekly 6+ y/o: 5 mg weekly Max Dose: 3-5 y/o:  20 mg/day 6+ y/o: ≤50 kg: 40 mg/day >50 kg: 60 mg/day   Long-Acting: Methylphenidate Aptensio XR (methylphenidate XR); capsule; Brand/Generic Age: ≥ 6 y/o Onset: ~ 60-120 min Duration: 8-12 hours Release Profile: 40% IR, 60% ER Considerations: Capsules may be swallowed whole or opened, and the entire contents can be sprinkled on applesauce. Initial Dose: 10 mg Titration: 10 mg weekly Max Dose: 60 mg/day Azstarys (Serdexmethylphenidate and dexmethylphenidate);capsule; Brand Age: ≥ 6 y/o Onset:  ~ 30 min Duration: 12-14 hours Release Profile: 30% IR, 70% ER Considerations: Administer once daily in the morning, with or without food; capsules can be taken whole or opened and sprinkled onto applesauce or mixed with water. Initial Dose: 39.2/7.8 mg Titration: Increase to 52.3/10.4 mg or decrease to 26.1/5.2 mg after one week Max Dose: 52.3/10.4 mg daily Concerta (methylphenidate ER (OROS)); OSM tablets; Brand/Generic Age: ≥ 6 y/o Onset: ~ 30-60 min Duration: Up to 12 hours Release Profile: 22% IR, 78% CR via osmotic delivery Considerations: Must be swallowed whole; the non-absorbable shell may pass in stool. Administer once daily in the morning, with or without food. Do not chew or crush the tablet. Initial Dose: 6-12 y/o: 18 mg daily 13+ y/o: 18 mg - 36 mg daily Titration: 18 mg/day at weekly intervals Max Dose: 6-12 y/o: 54 mg/day 13+ y/o: 72 mg/day Cotempla XR-ODT (Methylphenidate XR-ODT); ODT; Brand Age: 6-17 y/o Onset: ~ 30-60 min Duration: ~ 8 hours Release Profile: 25% IR, 75% ER Considerations: Grape-flavored, allow to dissolve in saliva. Advise to take consistently either with food or without food. Initial Dose: 17.3 mg Titration: 8.6 mg - 17.3 mg weekly Max Dose: 51.8 mg Daytrana (Methylphenidate patch); Brand/Generic Age: ≥ 6 y/o Onset: Approximately 2 hours after application Duration: 9-hour wear time; continuous release for 9-12 hours Considerations: Apply the patch to the hip area (alternating sites) 2 hours before the effect is needed. The patch may be removed earlier if shorter duration is desired or if late-day side effects occur. Monitor for skin rash or sensitivity. Discard patches appropriately. Initial Dose: 10 mg patch applied daily Titration: 5 mg every 3 - 7 days Max Dose: 30 mg/day Focalin XR (dexmethylphenidate XR); capsule; Brand/Generic Age: ≥ 6 y/o Onset: ~ 30 min Duration: 8-12 hours Release Profile: 50% IR, 50% ER Considerations: Capsules may be swallowed whole or opened, and the entire contents can be sprinkled on applesauce. Initial Dose: New to methylphenidate: 6-17 y/o: 5 mg Adults: 10 mg Currently on methylphenidate: Focalin XR dosage is half (1/2) the current total daily dosage of methylphenidate Currently on Focalin IR: Give the same daily dose of Focalin XR Titration: 6-17 y/o: 5 mg weekly Adults: 10 mg weekly Max Dose: 6-17 y/o: 30 mg/day Adults: 40 mg/day Jornay PM (methylphenidate delayed and extended release capsules); capsule; Brand Age: ≥ 6 y/o Onset: delayed until early morning (~10-12 hours after evening dose) Duration: 12-14 hours Considerations: Take in the evening between 6:30-9:30 pm. Capsules can be opened and sprinkled on applesauce. Initial Dose: 20 mg once daily in the evening Titration: 20 mg weekly Max Dose: 60 mg/day QuilliChew ER (methylphenidate ER chewable); chewable tablet; Brand Age: ≥ 6 y/o Onset: ~ 45 min Duration: up to 8 hours Release Profile: 30% IR, 70% ER Considerations: Cherry-flavored; may be taken with or without food. Long-acting chewable tablet. The 20 mg and 30 mg tablets may be split in half. Initial Dose: 20 mg Titration: 10-20 mg weekly Max Dose: 60 mg/day Quillivant XR (methylphenidate XR suspension); oral suspension; Brand Age: ≥ 6 y/o Onset: ~ 45 min Duration: ~ 12 hours Release Profile: 20% IR, 80% ER Considerations: Fruit-flavored; Shake bottle vigorously for at least 10 seconds before administering. May be taken with or without food. Store at room temperature. Suspension expires four months after reconstitution. Initial Dose: 20 mg Titration: 10-20 mg weekly Max Dose: 60 mg/day Relexxii (Methylphenidate ER (OROS) Tablets); Brand Age: ≥ 6 y/o Onset: ~60 min Duration: 8-12 hours Release Profile: 20% IR, 80% CR via osmotic delivery Considerations:  Must be swallowed whole; the non-absorbable shell may pass in stool. Administer once daily in the morning, with or without food. Do not chew or crush the tablet. Initial Dose: 6-12 y/o: 18 mg once daily in the morning 13+ y/o: 18 mg once daily in the morning Titration: Increase by 18 mg/day at weekly intervals Max Dose: 6-12 y/o: 54 mg/day 13+ y/o: 72 mg/day Adults: 72 mg/day Ritalin LA (methylphenidate LA); capsule; Brand/Generic Age: ≥ 6 y/o Onset: ~ 20-60 min Duration: 8-12 hours Release Profile: 50% IR, 50% ER Considerations: Capsules may be swallowed whole or opened, and the entire contents can be sprinkled on applesauce. Should not be crushed, chewed, or divided. Initial Dose: 10-20 mg Patients currently using Ritalin: dosage is equivalent to Ritalin dose Titration:  10 mg weekly Max Dose: 60 mg/day Amphetamine Adderall XR (amphetamine salt combo ER); capsule; Brand/Generic Age: Pediatric patients ≥6 years and adults Onset: Approximately 30–60 minutes Duration: 10–12 hours Release Profile: Biphasic – an immediate-release portion followed by a delayed-release phase via beaded capsule technology Considerations: May be taken with or without food; avoid concomitant use with acidifying agents (e.g., fruit juices, vitamin C) which may decrease absorption; high-fat meals may delay Tmax by 2.5 hours but do not affect overall bioavailability Initial Dose (Pediatric): Typically 10 mg once daily in the morning Titration (Pediatric): Increase by 5–10 mg increments at weekly intervals based on clinical response and tolerability Max Dose (Pediatric): Generally should not exceed 30 mg per day Adzenys XR-ODT (Amphetamine ER); ODT; Brand Age: ≥ 6 y/o Onset: ~ 30 min Duration: ~12 hours Release Profile: 50% IR, 50% ER Considerations: Orange-flavored. May be taken with or without food. Allow tablet to disintegrate in saliva before swallowing. Adderall XR Equivalent Doses Initial Dose: 6-17 y/o: 6.3 mg 18+ y/o: 12.5 mg Titration: 3.1 mg - 6.3 mg weekly Max Dose: 6-12 y/o: 18.8 mg/day 13+ y/o: 12.5 mg/day Dyanavel XR (amphetamine ER); oral suspension / chewable / tablet; Brand Age: ≥ 6 y/o Onset: ~60 min Duration: up to 13 hours Considerations: May be taken with or without food. Liquid and tablet formulations are interchangeable. Tablet: The 5mg dose is scored to allow for accurate dosing down to 2.5mg. Liquid:  Bubblegum flavor Initial Dose: 6-12 y/o: 2.5-5 mg 13+ y/o: 5-10 mg Titration: 6-12 y/o: 2.5 mg every 4-7 days 13+ y/o: 5 mg every 4-7 days Max Dose: 20 mg Mydayis (Dextroamphetamine-Amphetamine ER Capsules); Brand/Generic Age: ≥ 13 y/o Onset: Approximately 1-2 hours Duration: Up to 16 hours Considerations:  Capsules may be swallowed whole or sprinkled on cold applesauce and consumed immediately without chewing. Administer once daily upon awakening to avoid insomnia. Consistency with or without food is recommended. Do not substitute for other amphetamine products on a milligram-per-milligram basis. Initial Dose: 12.5 mg once daily in the morning Titration: 12.5 mg weekly Max Dose: 13-17 y/o: 25 mg/day Adults: 50 mg/day Vyvanse (Lisdexamfetamine dimesylate); chewable tablet / capsule; Brand/Generic Age: ≥ 6 y/o Onset: ~60 min Duration: 8-12 hours Considerations: Can be taken with or without food. It is a pro-drug that is metabolized into 100% dextroamphetamine, with a reduced risk of abuse. The chewable tablet and capsule are interchangeable on a mg-to-mg basis.  Chewable tablet: Strawberry-flavored and can be taken with or without food.  Capsule: The capsule can be opened and its contents dissolved in liquid, such as water, yogurt, or orange juice. Use immediately after dissolving. Initial Dose: 20-30 mg Titration: 10-20 mg every 3-7 days Max Dose: 70 mg Xelstrym (Dextroamphetamine patch); Brand Age: ≥ 6 y/o Onset: Approximately 2 hours after application Duration: 9-hour wear time; continuous release for 9-12 hours Considerations: Apply the patch to the hip, upper arm, chest, upper back, or flank area 2 hours before the effect is needed. Rotate application sites with each new patch. Do not use more than one patch in a 24-hour period. Do not substitute for other amphetamine products on a milligram-per-milligram basis. Initial Dose: Pediatric (6-17 y/o): 4.5 mg/9 hours daily Adults: 9 mg/9 hours daily Titration: 4.5 mg/9 hours weekly Max Dose: 18 mg/9 hours Severe Renal Impairment: 13.5 mg/9 hours End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD): 9 mg/9 hours