Comparative Pharmacology
Head-to-head clinical analysis: ADDERALL 5 versus ADDERALL XR 30.
Peer-Reviewed Evidence
Head-to-head clinical analysis: ADDERALL 5 versus ADDERALL XR 30.
ADDERALL 5 vs ADDERALL XR 30
Comparing the clinical profiles, pharmacokinetic behaviors, and safety indices of these two therapeutic agents.
Adderall 5 is a combination of dextroamphetamine and amphetamine, which are central nervous system stimulants. They increase the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine in the synaptic cleft by inhibiting their reuptake and promoting their release from presynaptic neurons.
Adderall XR is a central nervous system (CNS) stimulant. It contains a mixture of amphetamine salts (dextroamphetamine and levoamphetamine). Amphetamines are non-catecholamine sympathomimetic amines that promote release of catecholamines (primarily dopamine and norepinephrine) from presynaptic nerve terminals and inhibit their reuptake, leading to increased synaptic concentrations. The exact mechanism of action in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is not fully understood but is thought to involve activation of dopaminergic and noradrenergic pathways in the prefrontal cortex.
Initial: 5 mg orally once or twice daily; increase by 5 mg increments at weekly intervals. Maximum: 40 mg/day in divided doses.
20-60 mg orally once daily in the morning; start at 20 mg once daily, titrate by 10 mg weekly based on tolerability and response.
None Documented
None Documented
Immediate-release: 9–11 hours (mean 10 hours for dextroamphetamine); extended-release: 10–13 hours. Terminal half-life may be prolonged with urinary pH >7.
The terminal elimination half-life is 10–13 hours for dextroamphetamine (the more active enantiomer) in adults; for the racemic mixture (dextroamphetamine/amphetamine), the half-life is shorter (6–8 hours) due to differential metabolism. Clinical context: Steady-state achieved within 2–3 days; once-daily dosing is sufficient.
Renal (90% as unchanged drug and metabolites; ~30% unchanged), minor fecal elimination (<5%).
Renal: approximately 90% (30–40% unchanged, remainder as metabolites including dehydroamphetamine and hydroxylated metabolites). Fecal: <4%. Biliary: minimal.
Category C
Category C
CNS Stimulant
CNS Stimulant