Comparative Pharmacology
Head-to-head clinical analysis: ADDERALL 20 versus FOCALIN XR.
Peer-Reviewed Evidence
Head-to-head clinical analysis: ADDERALL 20 versus FOCALIN XR.
ADDERALL 20 vs FOCALIN XR
Comparing the clinical profiles, pharmacokinetic behaviors, and safety indices of these two therapeutic agents.
Adderall 20 is a combination of amphetamine and dextroamphetamine, which are central nervous system stimulants. They increase the levels of norepinephrine and dopamine in synaptic clefts 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.
Initial: 5 mg orally once or twice daily; may increase by 5 mg increments at weekly intervals. Usual effective dose: 20-40 mg/day divided into 1-2 doses. Maximum: 40 mg/day (immediate-release); 60 mg/day (extended-release).
Initial 20 mg orally once daily; may increase in 10-20 mg increments at weekly intervals; maximum 60 mg/day.
None Documented
None Documented
d-Amphetamine: 10-13h; l-Amphetamine: 13-16h. Clinical steady-state reached in 2-3 days.
Terminal half-life: 2-3 hours for immediate-release; 6-8 hours for extended-release (FOCALIN XR)
Renal: ~90% unchanged; ~10% as deaminated metabolites; fecal <5%.
Renal (approximately 90% as unchanged drug and metabolites)
Category C
Category C
CNS Stimulant
CNS Stimulant