Methylphenidate vs Amphetamine: what is the difference?

How they differ

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.

Side by side

Common questions

What is the difference between Methylphenidate and Amphetamine?

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.

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.