Comparative Pharmacology
Head-to-head clinical analysis: CONCERTA versus DEXEDRINE.
Peer-Reviewed Evidence
Head-to-head clinical analysis: CONCERTA versus DEXEDRINE.
CONCERTA vs DEXEDRINE
Comparing the clinical profiles, pharmacokinetic behaviors, and safety indices of these two therapeutic agents.
Methylphenidate is a central nervous system (CNS) stimulant. It blocks the reuptake of norepinephrine and dopamine into presynaptic neurons, increasing their levels in the synaptic cleft. It also acts as a dopamine agonist by stimulating the release of dopamine from storage sites.
Dextroamphetamine is a central nervous system stimulant that enhances the activity of dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain by blocking their reuptake and increasing their release from presynaptic terminals.
18-72 mg orally once daily in the morning, starting at 18-36 mg/day and titrating in 18 mg increments weekly; maximum 72 mg/day.
5–60 mg/day orally in divided doses, typically 5–20 mg 1–3 times daily; use immediate-release or extended-release formulations per indication.
None Documented
None Documented
Terminal elimination half-life of methylphenidate from CONCERTA is approximately 3.5 hours (range 2.5-5.5 hours) in adults; in children, mean half-life is 3-4 hours. The extended-release formulation provides a prolonged clinical effect due to the OROS delivery system, not prolonged half-life.
Terminal elimination half-life is 4-6 hours for dextroamphetamine; clinical effects last longer due to CNS accumulation
Primarily renal (77%-87% as unchanged drug and metabolites); metabolic elimination accounts for 13%-23%, with minor biliary excretion (<2%).
Renal: 30-45% unchanged, 50-60% as deaminated metabolites; fecal: minor (<5%)
Category C
Category C
CNS Stimulant
CNS Stimulant