Comparative Pharmacology
Head-to-head clinical analysis: ADDERALL XR 20 versus ADDERALL XR 5.
Peer-Reviewed Evidence
Head-to-head clinical analysis: ADDERALL XR 20 versus ADDERALL XR 5.
ADDERALL XR 20 vs ADDERALL XR 5
Comparing the clinical profiles, pharmacokinetic behaviors, and safety indices of these two therapeutic agents.
Adderall XR 20 is a combination of amphetamine enantiomers (dextroamphetamine and levoamphetamine). It increases synaptic levels of dopamine and norepinephrine by inhibiting their reuptake and promoting their release from presynaptic terminals.
Adderall XR 5 contains a combination of amphetamine and dextroamphetamine, 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.
20 mg orally once daily in the morning.
20 mg orally once daily in the morning
None Documented
None Documented
Approximately 10-13 hours for d-amphetamine and 13-15 hours for l-amphetamine in adults; in children, 9-11 hours. The extended-release formulation provides a prolonged therapeutic effect masking shorter elimination.
d-Amphetamine: 10-13 hours (adults), 11-14 hours (children); l-Amphetamine: 13-15 hours (adults). The prolonged terminal half-life of the extended-release formulation supports once-daily dosing.
Approximately 90% of an oral dose is excreted renally, with 30% as unchanged amphetamine and the remainder as metabolites (including hippuric acid, benzoic acid, and hydroxylated derivatives). Fecal/biliary excretion accounts for <10%.
Renal (approximately 90% as unchanged drug and metabolites, with 30-40% as unchanged amphetamine), fecal (minimal, <5%)
Category C
Category C
CNS Stimulant
CNS Stimulant