Comparative Pharmacology
Head-to-head clinical analysis: ADDERALL 12 5 versus FOCALIN XR.
Peer-Reviewed Evidence
Head-to-head clinical analysis: ADDERALL 12 5 versus FOCALIN XR.
ADDERALL 12.5 vs FOCALIN XR
Comparing the clinical profiles, pharmacokinetic behaviors, and safety indices of these two therapeutic agents.
Adderall 12.5 is a combination of dextroamphetamine and amphetamine. It increases the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine in the central nervous system by inhibiting their reuptake and promoting their release from presynaptic neurons.
Focalin XR (dexmethylphenidate) is a central nervous system stimulant. It blocks the reuptake of norepinephrine and dopamine into presynaptic neurons, increasing their concentrations in the synaptic cleft. The d-threo enantiomer is pharmacologically active.
5-60 mg orally once or twice daily; immediate-release: initial 5 mg once or twice daily, increase by 5 mg weekly; extended-release: initial 20 mg once daily in the morning, increase by 10 mg weekly.
Initial 20 mg orally once daily; may increase in 10-20 mg increments at weekly intervals; maximum 60 mg/day.
None Documented
None Documented
The terminal elimination half-life of d-amphetamine is approximately 10–13 hours in adults (range 9–14 h) and 6–8 hours in children. Clinical context: Typically allows twice-daily dosing; extended-release formulations provide 8–12 hours of effect.
Terminal half-life: 2-3 hours for immediate-release; 6-8 hours for extended-release (FOCALIN XR)
Approximately 30% of the dose is excreted unchanged in urine; the remainder is metabolized primarily via deamination and oxidation. Renal elimination of unchanged amphetamine is pH-dependent: acidic urine increases elimination, alkaline urine decreases it. Fecal excretion accounts for <5%.
Renal (approximately 90% as unchanged drug and metabolites)
Category C
Category C
CNS Stimulant
CNS Stimulant