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Author: Admin | 2025-04-28
The pharmaceutical market is saturated with drugs intended to treat ADHD. The number of different options is often helpful for patients that may not respond to the first drug that they try. Although there are a variety of different options, the two most popular formulations are those containing mixed amphetamine salts and those containing methylphenidate.Focalin is a drug comprised of the ingredient “dexmethylphenidate” (d-threo-methylphenidate) or D-TMP. It contains solely the dextrorotatory (right-handed) stereoisomer of methylphenidate and some consider its potency to be approximately double to that of methylphenidate. Adderall is comprised of mixed amphetamine salts, namely 75% dextroamphetamine and 25% levoamphetamine.The original Focalin approved in 2001 elicited an effect lasting approximately 4 to 6 hours. It wasn’t until 2008 that Novartis Pharmaceuticals engineered an extended-release (XR) version, designed to provide a sustained psychostimulant effect for up to 12 hours. The immediate-release (IR) form of Focalin is comparable to Adderall IR, and the extended-release (XR) Focalin is comparable to Adderall XR.Below are some general comparisons between Focalin and Adderall. As you can tell, both are psychostimulant medications primarily utilized for the treatment of ADHD. Their specific mechanisms of action may be subject to slight differences due to each having unique active ingredients. FocalinAdderall Drug typePsychostimulantPsychostimulant Approved usesADHD.ADHD. Narcolepsy. IngredientsDexmethylphenidateMixed Amphetamine Salts (~75% Dextroamphetamine & ~25% Levoamphetamine) FormatsIR (Immediate release) or XR (Extended release)IR (Immediate release) or XR (Extended release) DosagesIR: 2.5 mg/5 mg/10 mgXR: 5 mg/10 mg/15 mg/20 mg/25 mg/30 mg/35 mg/40 mgIR: 5 mg/7.5 mg/10 mg/12.5 mg/15 mg/20 mg/30 mgXR: 5 mg/10 mg/15 mg/20 mg/25 mg/30 mg ManufacturerNovartis PharmaceuticalsShire Pharmaceuticals Legal statusSchedule II (US)Schedule II (US) Mechanism of actionFunctions by inhibiting reuptake of catecholamines and is considered a Norepinephrine Dopamine Reuptake Inhibitor (NDRI).It inhibits dopamine and norepinephrine transporters - increasing extracellular levels of each.Functions by increasing levels and inhibiting reuptake of stimulatory neurotransmitters such as dopamine and norepinephrine.Acts as a TAAR1 agonist and VMAT2 inhibitor. Generic version (?)Yes.Yes. Half-Life2 to 4.5 hours11 to 13 hours Common side effectsAppetite loss. Dizziness. Insomnia. Nervousness. Stomach aches. Weight loss.Abdominal pain. Appetite loss. Diarrhea. Dizziness. Dry Mouth. Fever. Headache. Insomnia. Irritability. Nausea. Nervousness. Vomiting. Weight loss. Duration of effectIR: 4 to 6 hoursXR: ~12 hoursIR: 4 to 6 hoursXR: ~12 hours Investigational usesNarcolepsy. Treatment-resistant depression.Treatment-resistant depression (Read:Adderall for depression). Date approvedIR: 2001 (November)XR: 2005 (May)IR: 1996 (February)XR: 2001Focalin vs. Adderall: What’s the difference?The primary difference between Focalin and Adderall is that Focalin is comprised of the dextrorotatory stereoisomer of methylphenidate. Adderall isn’t derived from methylphenidate, rather it is a unique formulation of mixed amphetamine salts (75% dextroamphetamine / 25% levoamphetamine). Both drugs are effective for the treatment of ADHD and are considered first-line options.Adderall has gotten approval to treat narcolepsy, whereas Focalin is not approved for narcolepsy. That said, there is some evidence to suggest that Focalin XR may be an effective option. The mechanisms of action are slightly different due to the active ingredients. Both Focalin and Adderall are thought to inhibit reuptake of dopamine and norepinephrine, but Adderall also triggers presynaptic release
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