Comparative Pharmacology
Head-to-head clinical analysis: ADDERALL XR 5 versus METADATE CD.
Peer-Reviewed Evidence
Head-to-head clinical analysis: ADDERALL XR 5 versus METADATE CD.
ADDERALL XR 5 vs METADATE CD
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.
Methylphenidate is a central nervous system (CNS) stimulant. It blocks the reuptake of norepinephrine and dopamine into the presynaptic neuron, increasing their levels in the extraneuronal space. The precise mechanism for treating ADHD is not fully understood.
20 mg orally once daily in the morning
20-60 mg orally once daily in the morning
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: 6.8 hours (range 4.5-10.3 hours) for methylphenidate; clinical context: supports twice-daily dosing regimen
Renal (approximately 90% as unchanged drug and metabolites, with 30-40% as unchanged amphetamine), fecal (minimal, <5%)
Renal: 78-97% as metabolites (primarily ritalinic acid), unchanged drug <1%; fecal: <2%
Category C
Category C
CNS Stimulant
CNS Stimulant