Comparative Pharmacology
Head-to-head clinical analysis: ADDERALL XR 20 versus DEXAMPEX.
Peer-Reviewed Evidence
Head-to-head clinical analysis: ADDERALL XR 20 versus DEXAMPEX.
ADDERALL XR 20 vs DEXAMPEX
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.
Dextroamphetamine is a central nervous system stimulant that increases extracellular dopamine and norepinephrine levels by blocking their reuptake and promoting release from presynaptic terminals.
20 mg orally once daily in the morning.
5-10 mg orally once daily in the morning, maximum 20 mg/day.
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.
Terminal elimination half-life 10–13 hours in adults (7–8 hours in children). Longer in alkaline urine (up to 20 hours) due to reduced renal tubular reabsorption.
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: ~90% as unchanged drug and metabolites (primarily deaminated metabolites); fecal/biliary <2%.
Category C
Category C
CNS Stimulant
CNS Stimulant