The key difference between amphetamine and methylphenidate is that amphetamine is useful in treating attention deficit disorder and narcolepsy, whereas methylphenidate is important in improving the mental activity in attention deficit disorder.
Both amphetamine and methylphenidate are important as central nervous system stimulants. Both these drugs are associated with sleep problems and a decreased appetite. However, methylphenidate is also very likely to cause stomach pains.
CONTENTS
1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Amphetamine
3. What is Methylphenidate
4. Similarities – Amphetamine and Methylphenidate
5. Amphetamine vs Methylphenidate in Tabular Form
6. Summary – Amphetamine vs Methylphenidate
What is Amphetamine?
Amphetamine is a central nervous system stimulant useful in treating attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, narcolepsy, and obesity. The trade name of this compound is Adderall. This drug is a stimulant containing a mixture of two amphetamines. The other common trade name for this drug is “Mydayis.” It is a combination drug. The routes of administration for Adderall include oral administration, insufflation, rectal administration, and sublingual administration.
Figure 01: The Active Component in Amphetamine
Amphetamine is important in treating attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and narcolepsy. It is also used as an athletic performance enhancer, cognitive enhancer, appetite suppressant, etc. We can describe this drug as a central nervous system stimulant of the phenethylamine class.
Generally, amphetamine is well-tolerated, and the dependence liability is moderate. It is effective in treating the symptoms of ADHD and narcolepsy. However, there are some side effects of using this drug, which include hypertension, vasovagal response, tachycardia, erectile dysfunction, frequent erections, abdominal pain in the gastrointestinal tract, and excessive grinding of teeth.
What is Methylphenidate?
Methylphenidate is a synthetic drug that can stimulate the central nervous system mainly, important in improving the mental activity in attention deficit disorder. The active chemical component in this drug is methylphenidate. The commercial name for this drug is Ritalin.
The routes of administration of this drug include oral administration and transdermal administration. The dependence liability and addiction liability of this drug is very high. The drug class of methylphenidate is “stimulant drugs.” When considering the pharmacokinetics of this drug, its bioavailability is around 30%, and protein binding ability ranges between 10 to 33%. The metabolism of the drug occurs in the liver. Moreover, the elimination half-life of Ritalin is about 2-3 hours, and the excretion occurs through urine.
There can be some side effects of methylphenidate, including appetite loss, dry mouth, anxiety, nausea, and insomnia. However, there can be some adverse effects as well: akathisia, lethargy, dizziness, changes in blood pressure and heart rate, etc.
There are many important uses of methylphenidate, such as treating ADHD and narcolepsy. Moreover, this drug is important in treating bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder and can improve depression in stroke, cancer, and HIV-positive patients.
What are the Similarities Between Amphetamine and Methylphenidate?
- Amphetamine and Methylphenidate are important as central nervous system stimulants.
- Both these drugs are associated with sleep problems and decreased appetite.
- They have mild and severe side effects.
What is the Difference Between Amphetamine and Methylphenidate?
Both Ritalin and Adderall are important as central nervous system stimulants. They are associated with sleep problems and decreased appetite. The key difference between amphetamine and methylphenidate is that amphetamine is useful in treating attention deficit disorder and narcolepsy, whereas methylphenidate is important in improving the mental activity in attention deficit disorder.
The below infographic presents the differences between amphetamine and methylphenidate in tabular form for side by side comparison.
Summary – Amphetamine vs Methylphenidate
The key difference between amphetamine and methylphenidate is that amphetamine is useful in treating attention deficit disorder and narcolepsy, whereas methylphenidate is important in improving the mental activity in attention deficit disorder.