Mydayis and Adderall are both medications that treat symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). They differ in release times and side effects.
Medically reviewed by Joshana K. Goga PharmD MBA BCPP
Mydayis and Adderall are both medications that contain the active ingredients of amphetamines. Specifically, they contain the sulfate salts of dextroamphetamine and amphetamine. They are both stimulant medications. Stimulant medications enhance your central nervous system (CNS) activity, which makes you more alert.
While Mydayis and Adderall contain the same active ingredients, these two medications are manufactured differently, giving them slightly different properties. Some of these differences include the time frame of activity and the age at which you can take them.
Mydayis
Maca and Naca/Getty Images
Mydayis only comes as an extended-release capsule that you take orally once per day. If you don’t want to take the capsule, you can open the contents onto a spoonful of applesauce, and swallow the contents without chewing. There are various doses of Mydayis available. These include:
12.5 milligrams (mg)
25 mg
37.5 mg
50 mg
Doctors will typically initially prescribe the lowest possible dosage and increase your dose as necessary if lower doses are ineffective. In 2017, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the use of Mydayis for people 13 or more years of age.
If you need help covering the cost of medications, the free Optum Perks Discount Card could help you save up to 80% on prescription drugs. Follow the links on drug names for savings on that medication, or search for a specific drug here.
100% online care
Treatment plans in 15 minutes or less for 40+ conditions.
Amphetamine salts are stimulant ingredients, which means these chemicals excite your nervous system. They reduce symptoms of ADHD by increasing the amounts of certain neurotransmitters in your brain, such as:
ADHD symptoms often result from neurotransmitter imbalances, particularly low levels of dopamine and norepinephrine.
If you receive a prescription for Mydayis, you will only need to take one dose daily. This is because Mydayis is an extended-release medication. Each capsule will release your dose over the course of 16 hours.
Mydayis has such a long dosage release time because during manufacturing, the dose of amphetamine salts within the capsule is packaged into 3 beads:
an immediate-release amphetamine salt bead
a pulsed-delayed release bead
an extended-release bead
Side effects
Stimulant medications can cause a wide range of side effects. Some of these side effects can be mild and may disappear after a few weeks. They can also be more serious and may mean that Mydayis is not suitable for you.
Some examples of mild side effects of Mydayis include:
Both Mydayis and Adderall contain three different forms of amphetamine. These include:
dextroamphetamine sulfate
amphetamine aspartate monohydrate
amphetamine sulfate
Unlike Mydayis, Adderall is available in an extended-release capsule and an immediate-release tablet. Typically, you will either take one extended-release capsule each morning or one immediate-release tablet in the morning, and then any more you may need every 4–6 hours.
These two types of Adderall are available in the following doses:
The type of Adderall you take will depend on the dose a doctor prescribes. Extended-release Adderall (Adderall XR) does not last as long as Mydayis, with Adderall XR lasting 12 hours, and Mydayis lasting 16 hours.
This is because where Mydayis has a 3-bead amphetamine transport system, Adderall XR only has a 2-bead delivery system. This means the pulse delivery system does not deliver the amphetamines over the same length of time as Mydayis.
Free prescription coupons
Seriously … free. Explore prices that beat the competition 70% of the time.
The side effects of Adderall are slightly different from Mydayis. There are both common and rare side effects that you may experience while taking Adderall. Some of the common side effects can be severe, so if you notice these, speak with a doctor.
Some of the common side effects of Adderall include:
While Adderall and Mydayis include the same active ingredients, their manufacturing process causes differences.
The factors you should consider if you receive a diagnosis of ADHD and are choosing between Mydayis and Adderall include:
Cost: There is no generic version of Mydayis available yet, but generic versions of both the XR and immediate-release Adderall are available. Generic medications are often cheaper than brand-name medications.
Release time: Adderall is available as a 4–6-hour or hourly release medication, whereas Mydayis lasts 16 hours, with no immediate-release version available. So, if you want to have more control over when you receive the benefits of your ADHD medication, Adderall may be more suitable as it does not stay in your system for as long as Mydayis.
Age: Mydayis is not suitable for children under the age of 13 years. So, if your child under the age of 13 years needs ADHD medication, Adderall is more likely to be suitable. Children 6 years and over can take Adderall in doses depending on their weight.
Side effect tolerance: Adderall and Mydayis have slightly different side effects. For example, Mydayis can cause painful menstrual periods, so if you already experience this, you may want to try Adderall first.
Dose requirement: Adderall is available in smaller doses than Mydayis, which may be beneficial if you are starting this medication for the first time.
Summary
Mydayis and Adderall are both stimulant medications that contain mixed amphetamine salts. Despite their identical ingredients, they differ in release times, side effects, and dosages. Adderall is available for children over the age of 6 years, whereas Mydayis is only suitable for people over the age of 13 years.
Mydayis is also not available as a generic medication, which may mean it is more expensive than Adderall. It is important to consider these differences when a doctor is prescribing you medication for ADHD treatment.
Only take stimulant medications as a doctor recommends.
Download the free Optum Perks Discount Card to save up to 80% on some prescription medications.
