Comparative Pharmacology
Head-to-head clinical analysis: ADDERALL XR 5 versus PEMOLINE.
Peer-Reviewed Evidence
Head-to-head clinical analysis: ADDERALL XR 5 versus PEMOLINE.
ADDERALL XR 5 vs PEMOLINE
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.
Pemoline is a central nervous system stimulant that enhances dopaminergic and noradrenergic transmission by blocking the reuptake of dopamine and norepinephrine at the synaptic cleft. It also has mild monoamine oxidase inhibitory activity.
20 mg orally once daily in the morning
Oral, 37.5 mg once daily in the morning; may increase by 18.75 mg weekly to a maximum of 112.5 mg/day (divided into 2 doses if total dose > 75 mg).
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 is 8-12 hours in children; 12-16 hours in adults. Steady-state is reached within 2-3 days.
Renal (approximately 90% as unchanged drug and metabolites, with 30-40% as unchanged amphetamine), fecal (minimal, <5%)
Pemoline is primarily excreted renally as unchanged drug (40-50%) and metabolites; approximately 20-30% is excreted in feces via biliary elimination.
Category C
Category C
CNS Stimulant
CNS Stimulant