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Dr. Sarah Cheyette, MD

Pediatric Neurologist, ADHD Management & Medication Alternatives / Substitutions

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Navigating Life with ADHD

The understanding of ADHD has been evolving. Navigating Life with ADHD is a guidebook to help adults with ADHD, parents of children with ADHD, and their caregivers and loved ones thrive.

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About Dr. Sarah

Hello!

Glad you found me. How can I help you?

I am a pediatric neurologist and an expert in working with kids and young adults with ADHD.

My professional career has been focused on neurological health and I have treated thousands of patients as well as their families.

In addition to my practice, I have authored multiple books (Current List) with the goal of helping young people with ADHD learn to become independent, strong, and successful.

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Suggested ADHD Medication Alternatives / Substitutions

If you go to the pharmacy and they are out of your medicine, what do you do?

Here are suggestions on how to substitute commonly prescribed ADHD medications for similar alternatives.

I won't go into detail about each drug, but if there is a shortage or some other reason you need to replace what you usually take, this should be a handy guide.

Please Note:

Anyone who has a known or suspected medical condition, is taking medication of any kind, or has health concerns should consult a qualified health care provider before following any of these suggestions.


Thank you and I hope you find this information helpful!

Select a Medication to Learn More:

Try Dexedrine as a substitution for short acting Adderall; use approximately the same number of milligrams.
Dyanavel and Adzenys are the closest substitutions chemically, but you can try Vyvanse also.

They are all long-acting amphetamines
Try Ritalin LA, Focalin XR, Concerta, Quillivant, or Quillichew, Azstarys or Cotempla.

These are all long-acting methylphenidates. If you're on a low dose of Concerta, try a low dose of other the others.
Try immediate release Adderall, which is a short acting amphetamine.

Milligrams should be similar.
Try Ritalin (methylphenidate) at twice the dose. 5 mg Focalin=10 mg Ritalin

Ritalin and Focalin are both short acting methylphenidates
Azstarys is the closest, but you can also try Ritalin LA, Concerta, Quillivant, Quillichew, or Cotempla

These are all long-acting methylphenidates.
Try Ritalin LA, Concerta, Quillivant, Quillichew, or Cotempla.

These are all long-acting methylphenidates.
Try Focalin (dexmethylphenidate) at half the dose. 10 mg Ritalin=5 mg Focalin

Ritalin and Focalin are both short acting methylphenidates
Try Focalin XR (at half the dose) or low doses of Concerta, Quillivant, Quillichew, Azstarys or Cotempla.

These are all long-acting methylphenidates. If you're on a low dose of Ritalin LA, try a low dose of the others.
Try substituting the Xelstrym patch, or Adderall XR, Dyanavel, or Adzenys.

Xelstrym is chemically the same as Vyvanse, but they are all long-acting amphetamines.

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