Comparative Pharmacology
Head-to-head clinical analysis: ADDERALL 30 versus METHYLIN.
Peer-Reviewed Evidence
Head-to-head clinical analysis: ADDERALL 30 versus METHYLIN.
ADDERALL 30 vs METHYLIN
Comparing the clinical profiles, pharmacokinetic behaviors, and safety indices of these two therapeutic agents.
Adderall contains mixed amphetamine salts that increase synaptic levels of dopamine and norepinephrine by inhibiting their reuptake and promoting release from presynaptic terminals.
Methylphenidate is a central nervous system stimulant. It blocks the reuptake of dopamine and norepinephrine into presynaptic neurons, increasing their concentrations in the synaptic cleft.
Initial: 5 mg orally once or twice daily; increase by 5 mg increments weekly; usual maintenance: 20-30 mg daily in divided doses; maximum: 40 mg/day
10 mg orally twice daily, administered 4-6 hours apart; doses may be adjusted in 5-10 mg increments weekly up to 60 mg/day.
None Documented
None Documented
Terminal elimination half-life: d-amphetamine 10-13 hours, l-amphetamine 13-15 hours; in adults (children: 6-8 hours). The longer half-life allows for once-daily dosing.
2-4 hours (short elimination half-life, requiring multiple daily dosing; immediate-release: 3-4 hours, extended-release: 3-6 hours)
Approximately 30-40% of a dose is excreted unchanged in urine; the remainder is metabolized primarily by oxidative deamination and aromatic hydroxylation. Biliary/fecal elimination accounts for less than 5%.
Renal: 90% (mainly as metabolites, 30-50% as unchanged drug); fecal: <1%
Category C
Category C
CNS Stimulant
CNS Stimulant