Evekeo (Dextroamphetamine and Levoamphetamine) has the same active ingredients as Adderall and Adderall XR (D and L-Amphetamine). If you have ADHD, you take your medications as directed, they work for your symptoms, and you have minimal side effects with Adderall or Adderall XR - Evekeo may be a great option for you (especially if you cannot fill your medications consistently due to the ADHD medication shortage in Philadelphia and throughout the country). Evekeo tends to have better availability than Adderall IR or XR, as it's generic and frankly, as many patients and providers either do not know about this medication, or simply haven't thought to prescribe it.

Because Adderall is about 75% D-amphetamine and 25% L-amphetamine and Evekeo is 50% of each, many patients actually tolerate Evekeo better than adderall. Reports suggest that D-amphetamine is more likely to cause some of the irritability, jitteriness, anxiety and "crash" symptoms as it leaves someone's body, and leaves them overly tired.

When you have ADHD, being consistent with your treatment is incredibly important. If a medication works well for you, but if you can only fill it half the time, your symptoms will not be well-managed.

Providers should take the extra step, to understand the pharmacodynamics of these medications, the active ingredients, the options within these classes, the specialty pharmacies that stock them, and the promotions that are available to patients. This will result in better patient care.

Rittenhouse Psychiatric Associates is a private practice in Philadelphia, Manhattan, Pittsburgh, Wilmington and Southern New Jersey, with 25 psychiatrists Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners and Psychologists, who treat ADHD, Mood Disorders, Anxiety Disorders, adult autism and various other mental health difficulties.

Visit www.RittenhousePA.com for more information.