Comparative Pharmacology
Head-to-head clinical analysis: ADDERALL 5 versus METADATE CD.
Peer-Reviewed Evidence
Head-to-head clinical analysis: ADDERALL 5 versus METADATE CD.
ADDERALL 5 vs METADATE CD
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.
Methylphenidate is a central nervous system (CNS) stimulant. It blocks the reuptake of norepinephrine and dopamine into the presynaptic neuron, increasing their levels in the extraneuronal space. The precise mechanism for treating ADHD is not fully understood.
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
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.
Terminal elimination half-life: 6.8 hours (range 4.5-10.3 hours) for methylphenidate; clinical context: supports twice-daily dosing regimen
Renal (90% as unchanged drug and metabolites; ~30% unchanged), minor fecal elimination (<5%).
Renal: 78-97% as metabolites (primarily ritalinic acid), unchanged drug <1%; fecal: <2%
Category C
Category C
CNS Stimulant
CNS Stimulant