Comparative Pharmacology
Head-to-head clinical analysis: ADDERALL XR 5 versus DEXMETHYLPHENIDATE HYDROCHLORIDE.
Peer-Reviewed Evidence
Head-to-head clinical analysis: ADDERALL XR 5 versus DEXMETHYLPHENIDATE HYDROCHLORIDE.
ADDERALL XR 5 vs DEXMETHYLPHENIDATE HYDROCHLORIDE
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.
Dexmethylphenidate is a central nervous system (CNS) stimulant. Its mechanism of action in ADHD is not fully understood, but it is believed to block the reuptake of norepinephrine and dopamine into the presynaptic neuron, increasing their levels in the extraneuronal space.
20 mg orally once daily in the morning
Initial: 5 mg orally twice daily (morning and noon) with or without food; titrate in increments of 5 mg weekly; maximum 20 mg twice daily (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.
2-4 hours (immediate-release); 4-5 hours (extended-release); clinical context: short half-life necessitates multiple daily dosing for immediate-release formulations
Renal (approximately 90% as unchanged drug and metabolites, with 30-40% as unchanged amphetamine), fecal (minimal, <5%)
Renal (78-97% as metabolites and unchanged drug, with approximately 50% as de-esterified metabolites and 30% as unchanged drug)
Category C
Category A/B
CNS Stimulant
CNS Stimulant