What is the difference in methylphenidates and amphatimines?

Description: Amphetamine and dextroamphetamine are used in combination as an oral preparation to treat attention-defi cit hyperactivity
disorder (ADHD) or narcolepsy. Stimulants are considered fi rst-line agents in the treatment of ADHD. Adderall® products consist of mixed
salts of amphetamine aspartate, amphetamine sulfate, dextroamphetamine saccharate, and dextroamphetamine sulfate in combination.
The ratio of d-amphetamine to l-amphetamine is 3:1. The combination allows for once-daily dosing, which may be of use in maintaining
the medical privacy and therapeutic compliance of the school-age child with ADHD. In one small trial, the use of Adderall® once daily or
methylphenidate twice daily resulted in similar subjective behavioral outcomes as rated by teachers and parents. Adderall® was formerly
marketed as Obetrol®, a product used primarily for the adjunctive short-term treatment of exogenous obesity. While amphetamines are
used occasionally as anorectic agents; many states in the US restrict their use for this purpose.


Description: Methylphenidate is a central nervous system stimulant that is chemically similar to the amphetamines. Methylphenidates’
peripheral pharmacologic actions are milder than those of the amphetamines; the agent has more noticeable effects on mental function
than on motor activities. Methylphenidate is clinically used in the treatment of narcolepsy and as adjunctive treatment in children
with attention defi cit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The FDA originally approved methylphenidate in 1955. Methylphenidate and
other stimulants are highly effective for the treatment of ADHD, with few comparative differences in effi cacy. Two well-controlled trials
demonstrate that roughly 70—80% of children treated with stimulants will have improvements such that at the end of the treatment
phase the child no longer meets criteria for diagnosis of ADHD. Lack of response to one stimulant does not predict a response to other
stimulants, and a trial with a different agent (i.e., dexmethylphenidate, dextroamphetamine, mixed amphetamine salts) may be warranted
if treatment fails with the initial stimulant.

OR...

Methylphenidate drugs (Ritalin, Metadate, Concerta, Daytrana) are the most commonly used psychostimulants for treating ADHD in both children and adults. Dexmethylphenidate (Focalin) is a similar drug. These drugs increase dopamine, a neurotransmitter important for cognitive functions such as attention and focus.


Amphetamine-dextroamphetamine (Adderall) and dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine, Dextrostat) work by blocking the reabsorption of the brain chemicals dopamine and norepinephrine. Side effects can include stomach problems and mood changes, including sadness, anxiety, and irritability.

So people take a little of both? Which meds are amph, and which ones are methy?

Sorry didn't see the second post.

OR...

Methylphenidate drugs (Ritalin, Metadate, Concerta, Daytrana) are the most commonly used psychostimulants for treating ADHD in both children and adults. Dexmethylphenidate (Focalin) is a similar drug. These drugs increase dopamine, a neurotransmitter important for cognitive functions such as attention and focus.


Amphetamine-dextroamphetamine (Adderall) and dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine, Dextrostat) work by blocking the reabsorption of the brain chemicals dopamine and norepinephrine. Side effects can include stomach problems and mood changes, including sadness, anxiety, and irritability.

I actually understand it to be the other way around. Methylphenidate blocks dopamine transporters, preventing reuptake while Amphetamine prevents reuptake of dopamine as well as releasing dopamine into the synapse.

Amphetamines (adderall, dexadrine) and methylphenidate work in very subtly different ways. Both drugs essentially increase the amount of dopamine and noradrenaline that is available to neurons as well as the length of time it is available after it is released.

Dopamine and Noradrenaline are close cousins in terms of structure. Both are released from nerve terminals, and stick around until they are scooped back up into the neuron by specific transporters (dopamine can use noradrenaline's transporter and vice versa, because they are so similar in structure).

As I understand it, methylphenidate (Ritalin) basically acts like a plug at the transporter, preventing dopamine and noradrenaline from being sucked back into the neuron (a reuptake inhibitor is the technical term). Amphetamine interacts with the transporter on a different level, and can actually reverse its direction so that more dopamine and noradrenaline pour out of the transporter and into the synapse.

So amphetamines are a little more intense (potent) in their ability to increase dopamine and noradrenaline levels in the brain.

In a nutshell both do basically the same thing, just go about the process a little differently. Some do well on one vs the other.

Amphetamines: Dexedrine*, Adderall, Vyvanse, Desoxyn*

Methlyphenidate: Ritalin, Concerta, Metadate, Focalin*, Daytrana

The meds with a * near them are in that particular family but are chemically 'tweaked'. That is a discussion for another day though :)

J

In a nutshell both do basically the same thing, just go about the process a little differently. Some do well on one vs the other.

Amphetamines: Dexedrine*, Adderall, Vyvanse, Desoxyn*

Methlyphenidate: Ritalin, Concerta, Metadate, Focalin*, Daytrana

The meds with a * near them are in that particular family but are chemically 'tweaked'. That is a discussion for another day though :)

J

Hmmm... in the Amphetamine group, I would think that Vyvanse to be more "chemically tweaked" than Dex. Since Vyvanse is a prodrug that has l-lysine covalently bonded to d-amp.

I tend to think of Dex as the "purest" of amphetamines... even my doctor has referred to Dexedrine as "plain ol' dextroamphetamine."

The actual compound named amphetamine is made up of two isomers d-amphetamine and l-amphetamine. Dexedrine/Dextrostat is made up solely of d-amphetamine (dextroamphetamine). Adderall is comprised of mixed salts of both isomers. The brain tends to favor Dextroamphetamine to l-amp, but many people do well on Adderall b/c the mixed salts make for a smoother up & down (quicker onset, lasting longer). Now, of course many people feel differently... I'm just speaking in general. :)

good points.

I should have put a * by Vyvanse too. My reasoning with the tweaking is that those meds are not the racemic versions (d,l forms). Instead the meds with the * are the single isomer forms.

J

I actually understand it to be the other way around. Methylphenidate blocks dopamine transporters, preventing reuptake while Amphetamine prevents reuptake of dopamine as well as releasing dopamine into the synapse.
Yep -- that's right!:) Amphetmaine is also thought to have some impact on the seratonin system as well, while methylphenidate doesn't seem to.

the info I posted was found by googling "difference between methylphenidates and amphetamines".
http://www.thecmhi.com/links/mono_adhd.pdf
http://www2.healthtalk.com/go/adhd/reports/?p=10/000030.htm

good points.

I should have put a * by Vyvanse too. My reasoning with the tweaking is that those meds are not the racemic versions (d,l forms). Instead the meds with the * are the single isomer forms.

J

Ah, okay. I guess I was thinking that by "tweaking" it meant like adding something to it or changing it in some way. I see what ya mean now. :D

But yeah, I tend to think of Dex and Desoxyn as being the "purest" of the amphetamine family... since they are just the single isomer, and the d-isomers of the amphetamine family have been shown to be the more powerful psychostimulant... which can mean more CNS effects and less PNS effects. (Keep in mind this is just my way of thinking... Not tryin' to say one med is necessarily superior to the other. ;))