Methylphenidate vs Amphetamine: what is the difference?
Methylphenidate blocks dopamine reuptake, while amphetamine also pushes stored dopamine out of the neuron, which is why amphetamine tends to act more strongly.
Sources and notes
- The sentence under the titlefrom sourceMoleculeFinder comparison notesThe pair's answer line.
- The two drawingscomputedMoleculeFinder rule (RDKit MCS)Drawn the same way round on the skeleton they share. Aligned; 11 atoms differ, too many to mark as one group.
Side by side
| Methylphenidate | Amphetamine | |
|---|---|---|
| Molecular weightCalculated PubChem | 233.31 g/molC14H19NO2 | 135.21 g/molC9H13N |
| Hydrogen-bond donorsCalculated PubChem | 1 | 1 |
| FamilyEditorial MoleculeFinder curated | Stimulants | Stimulants |
| Everyday groupEditorial MoleculeFinder curated | Prescription medicine | Prescription medicine |
| Chemical groupsCalculated Found by rule (RDKit) | Amines, Aromatics, Esters | Amines, Aromatics |
| Hazard labelReported ECHA, HSDB via PubChem | Danger | Danger |
| The supplier-filed hazard label's signal word, not a statement about ordinary use. | ||
| Oral LD50Measured HSDB via PubChem | 190 mg/kgpure methylphenidate, mouse, oral | 22 mg/kgpure amphetamine, mouse, oral |
| A single acute animal measure. It ranks nothing about human safety. | ||
Sources and notes
- Molecular weightcomputedPubChemComputed from the structure; the formula is under each weight.
- Hydrogen-bond donorscomputedPubChemThe hydrogens on nitrogen or oxygen that each molecule can lend to a hydrogen bond, counted from its structure.
- Familyfrom sourceMoleculeFinder curated
- Everyday groupfrom sourceMoleculeFinder curated
- Chemical groupscomputedFound by rule (RDKit)Each group is found in the structure by a chemical pattern.
- Hazard labelfrom sourceECHA, HSDB via PubChem
- Oral LD50from sourceHSDB via PubChem
- ECHAfrom sourceAttributionSource: European Chemicals Agency, echa.europa.eu.
- Identifiersfrom sourcePubChemPubChem CID 4158 (Methylphenidate) and 3007 (Amphetamine).
In more detail
These are the two stimulant families used for ADHD, sold as Ritalin and as Adderall, and they move dopamine by different mechanisms. Methylphenidate blocks the dopamine and norepinephrine transporters, so it stops reuptake and lets naturally released neurotransmitter linger. Amphetamine does that too and goes further: it enters the neuron and forces stored dopamine out through the transporter running in reverse, so it increases release rather than only preserving it. That extra step is why amphetamine tends to produce a stronger effect and why its abuse potential is generally rated higher. Methylphenidate is the heavier molecule at 233.31 against 135.21, and both are controlled substances.
Sources and notes
- The paragraphfrom sourceMoleculeFinder comparison notes
Questions
- What is the difference between Methylphenidate and Amphetamine?
- Methylphenidate blocks dopamine reuptake, while amphetamine also pushes stored dopamine out of the neuron, which is why amphetamine tends to act more strongly.
- Is Methylphenidate bigger than Amphetamine?
- Methylphenidate is the heavier molecule, 233.31 g/mol against 135.21 g/mol for Amphetamine. Methylphenidate is C14H19NO2 and Amphetamine is C9H13N.
- Which has the lower reported LD50, Methylphenidate or Amphetamine?
- Amphetamine, at 22 mg/kg (oral, mouse), against 190 mg/kg (oral, mouse) for Methylphenidate. An LD50 is one acute animal measurement, and the two here were not necessarily measured in the same species, so it is a data point rather than a ranking of how dangerous either is to a person.
Sources and notes
- The answersfrom sourceMoleculeFinderThe first is the pair's answer line; the others are read off the table above.