Comparative Pharmacology
Head-to-head clinical analysis: ADDERALL XR 15 versus QUILLIVANT XR.
Peer-Reviewed Evidence
Head-to-head clinical analysis: ADDERALL XR 15 versus QUILLIVANT XR.
ADDERALL XR 15 vs QUILLIVANT XR
Comparing the clinical profiles, pharmacokinetic behaviors, and safety indices of these two therapeutic agents.
ADDERALL XR contains a mixture of amphetamine salts, including dextroamphetamine and levoamphetamine. The mechanism of action involves increasing synaptic levels of dopamine and norepinephrine by inhibiting their reuptake and enhancing their release from presynaptic terminals, leading to CNS stimulation.
Extended-release oral suspension formulation of methylphenidate, a central nervous system stimulant that inhibits the reuptake of dopamine and norepinephrine into presynaptic neurons, increasing their synaptic concentrations. The exact therapeutic effect in ADHD is unknown but is thought to involve dopaminergic and noradrenergic pathways in the prefrontal cortex.
Oral, 20-60 mg once daily in the morning; initial dose 20 mg once daily, titrated by 10-20 mg weekly based on tolerability and efficacy.
Initial: 25 mg orally once daily in the morning; may increase weekly in 25 mg increments based on tolerability and response. Maximum: 75 mg once daily.
None Documented
None Documented
The terminal elimination half-life of amphetamine in adults is approximately 10-13 hours; in children, it is slightly shorter (6-8 hours). For the l-amphetamine isomer, the half-life is 9-11 hours. The extended-release formulation provides a prolonged duration of effect due to a biphasic release profile.
Approximately 4 hours; extended-release formulation provides therapeutic levels for ~12 hours.
Renal: approximately 90% of a dose is excreted in urine, with about 30% as unchanged amphetamine and the remainder as metabolites including deaminated and oxidized products; fecal excretion accounts for less than 10%.
Primarily renal (approximately 60% as unchanged drug); fecal excretion accounts for <5%.
Category C
Category C
CNS Stimulant
CNS Stimulant