Comparative Pharmacology
Head-to-head clinical analysis: ADDERALL XR 5 versus BENZEDRINE.
Peer-Reviewed Evidence
Head-to-head clinical analysis: ADDERALL XR 5 versus BENZEDRINE.
ADDERALL XR 5 vs BENZEDRINE
Comparing the clinical profiles, pharmacokinetic behaviors, and safety indices of these two therapeutic agents.
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.
Benzedrine (racemic amphetamine) releases dopamine and norepinephrine from presynaptic neurons, blocks their reuptake, and inhibits monoamine oxidase, increasing synaptic monoamine levels.
20 mg orally once daily in the morning
Oral: 5-10 mg once or twice daily, maximum 40 mg/day. Intramuscular: 5-10 mg every 30-60 minutes as needed, maximum 40 mg/day.
None Documented
None Documented
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.
Terminal elimination half-life: 4-6 hours in adults (range 4-8 hours). Clinically, duration of action correlates with half-life, but tolerance may develop with repeated dosing.
Renal (approximately 90% as unchanged drug and metabolites, with 30-40% as unchanged amphetamine), fecal (minimal, <5%)
Renal (30-40% unchanged, pH-dependent), with minor biliary/fecal elimination. At acidic urine pH, elimination half-life is shortened; at alkaline pH, reabsorption increases.
Category C
Category C
CNS Stimulant
CNS Stimulant