Clonidine vs Adderall: Which Is Better For ADHD?

People who are suffering from ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) are unable to focus and maintain balance in their day-to-day lives. When it comes to manage many options are available in the market to treat ADHD. Clonidine and Adderall are two of them. As they are prescribed for the same work but have different different mechanism and potencies. In this blog, we will explore about the comparison of Clonidine vs Adderall in detail, looking at how they differ and why one might be preferred over the other. By understanding these options in simple and clear terms it becomes easier to feel confident and informed when learning about possible treatment choices.

Comparison of Clonidine vs Adderall:

Adderall and Clonidine are both prescribed to manage ADHD. Although both are used for the same problem but work differently. Adderall is a CNS stimulant which helps to improve focus, attention and energy level. Clonidine is not a stimulant and works by calming certain signals in the brain. Which helps to reduce hyperactivity, impulsive behaviour and restlessness. While Adderall works by increasing the brain chemicals, Clonidine calms some brain signals. Both medications work uniquely to manage ADHD symptoms. Before knowing about how they differ from each other detaily we have to know about Clonidine and Adderall including their mechanism of work.

What Is Adderall?

Adderall is a prescription medicine used to treat attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). It is classified as CNS stimulant drug. Adderall increases a natural chemical in the brain that improves a person’s focus and concentration, not to mention giving the user some degree of self-control. Adderall helps people suffering from ADHD to concentrate and even complete their tasks. In some cases Adderall is used as a treatment of narcolepsy that causes a person to feel extremely sleepy.

How does Adderall work?

Adderall contains amphetamine salts including dextroamphetamine and levoamphetamine. These are helps to increase the level of dopamine and norepinephrine. These chemicals are play a vital role in attention, motivation and alertness. Who are suffering from ADHD dopamine and norepinephrine may not function effectively in their brain, making it difficult in focus and maintain balance. Adderall stimulates those chemicals and results in staying focused, organised and finishing tasks. Adderall also increases overall energy and alertness throughout the day to help people with ADHD.

What Is Clonidine?

Clonidine is a medication prescribed for high blood pressure. Clonidine for ADHD is also helpful,  and also used to treat anxiety and withdrawal symptoms of certain drugs such as opioids or nicotine. It works by soothing specific signals in the brain which increase the heartbeat and bring constriction to the blood vessels. Doctors sometimes prescribe Clonidine to improve sleep and reduce intense physical signs of anxiety, such as hyperhidrosis (sweating) and palpitations (fast heartbeat). Clonidine is available in tablets, patches or liquid. It works in the body to lower the blood pressure and produce a calming effect.

How Does Clonidine Work?

Clonidine works by calming the overactive nerves in the brain, which are responsible for attention, impulse and activity level. It decreases the intensity of signals sent by the nervous system, thus decreasing heart rate and relaxation of blood vessels and provides a calming effect on the body. Clonidine can reduce hyperactivity, impulsive behaviour, and emotional outbursts from ADHD. This can also improve sleep. Clonidine decreases the general “overdrive” signals sent from the nervous system to promote brain focus and regulation of behaviour. Where Adderall works by stimulating brain chemicals. Clonidine positively calms the brain’s activity to enhance concentration and attention.

Which Is Best For ADHD – Clonidine Or Adderall?

In the case of ADHD Clonidine and Adderall work differently but are used for the same problem. Adderall increases focus and concentration, controls impulses and works more quickly than Clonidine. Clonidine is not a stimulant; it may relieve extremely hyperactive children or adult hyperactivity caused by ADHD with strong impulsiveness and trouble sleeping. To take the most effective drug for each patient, each drug has to be chosen according to the patient’s symptoms, age, and life challenges. The decision of which drug to take and which not to take is left to doctors to determine which drug is safe and effective for individual patients according to their own health and lifestyle.

Adderall vs Clonidine Side Effects:

Both of these medicines carry some similar side effects like dizziness, headache and feeling tired. These side effects are not shown in everyone; it depends on your metabolism. These side effects can vary patient to patient depending on the drug, strength of dose and age.

Adderall Side Effects:

Adderall can reduce appetite, trouble in sleeping and upset stomach. In some cases patient may feels jittery or restless. Problems like mood swing, headache, irritability and anxiety may arise. Other side effects are:

• Weight loss
• Constipation
• Reduce sexual desire 
• Euphoria
• Erectile dysfunction
• Twitching
• Dry mouth
• Weakness

Clonidine side effects:

Clonidine may cause slightly low blood pressure and a decrease in heart rate. It can cause dizziness and dry mouth. Sometimes it makes people sleepy. Other side effects of Clonidine are:

• Fatigue
• Hypotension
• Erectile dysfunction 
• Depression
• Difficulty sleeping

Addiction Of Adderall vs Clonidine:

Adderall classified as scheduled-II controlled substance, has a high risk of Amphetamine addiction and misuse. It is a stimulant and works by increasing the dopamine level in the brain. This is why it has a high risk of misuse and addiction. Sometimes people feel more energetic by taking Adderall, which leads to dependence over the time. Sudden stopping misuse after a longtime an cause withdrawal symptoms like tiredness and depression.

In the case of Clonidine it is not a stimulant or controlled substance. It has a very low risk of addiction. If the body gets used to it suddenly stopping it can cause high blood pressure and nervousness.

Can You Take Clonidine with Adderall?

Sometimes doctor prescribe Clonidine and Adderall together to treat ADHD. It is because Adderall works as a stimulant and works by speeding up brain activity. Clonidine works oppositely by slowing down nervous activity, decreasing blood pressure and heart rate. When taking two drugs together, some of the side effects like trouble in sleeping, mood swings, and hypertension, may be depressed. It is also helpful for hyperactivity and impulsive behaviour. Despite of all the benefits, taking Clonidine with Adderall can cause side effects like dizziness, low blood pressure and a change in heart rate.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, Clonidine and Adderall are both helpful for ADHD treatment but have different mechanisms of work. Adderall is a stimulant that works by increasing dopamine in the brain. Although it works fast but carries some side effects and risks of addiction and dependency. Clonidine is not a stimulant. It works by calming the brain which reduce hyperactive. It may cause some side effects, but it has a low risk of addiction and dependency. The right choice between these medicine is depended up on the patient’s age and symptoms. In some cases doctor prescribes both to reduce the risk of side effects. The safest way to take Clonidine and Adderall by following your prescription.