Concerta Vs. Dexedrine Dosage

Concerta (methylphenidate HCl) and Dexedrine, (dextroamphetamine sulfate) are amphetamine class drugs. Concerta and Dexedrine are the brand names for these drugs and are central nervous system (CNS) stimulants. Concerta, and Dexedrine have different release mechanisms inside the body, and come in different forms. Dexedrine is manufactured by GlaxoSmithKline Corporation, and Concerta by ALZA Corporation, Mountain View, California, for McNeil Pedriatircs, Titusville, New Jersey.

Extended Release vs. Sustained Release

• Medications labeled "extended-release" work by dissolving in the stomach/intestines over a period of time. In the case of Concerta, the drug is designed to deliver the medication at a certain rate over a 12-hour period. Concerta is to be taken in the morning, according to rxlist.com, but there are patients who take this medication two or three times daily.

  Medications that are "sustained-release," called spansules, such as Dexedrine, work by loading the patient with an initial dose, while the remaining medication is dissolved over a period of time, says rxlist.com.

  The difference between sustained-release and extended release is the initial dosage that is released by the sustained-release capsules. Other than that, the release of the drug is the same.

Concerta vs. Dexedrine Doses

• Dexedrine comes in brown and clear capsules, (called spansules), of 5, 10 and 15 mg sustained-release strengths. Each capsule is imprinted with the milligram strength, and a corresponding number of 3512 for the 5, 3513 for the 10, and 3514 for the 15 mg capsules. Usual dosage starting point for patients 6 years and older is 5 mg daily, and can be increased by 10 mg per week until the optimal dose is reached.

  Concerta comes in colored tablet form, of 18 (yellow), 27 (gray), 36 (white) and 54 (brownish-red), mg extended-release strengths. Recommended starting dose rates for children aged 6 to 12 years is 18 mg per day up to 54 mg per day. Adolescents 13 to 17 years of age is18 mg per day up to 72 mg per day. Adults aged 18 to 65 years is 18 mg per day up to 72 mg per day. Daily dosages above 54 mg for children, and 72 milligrams for adults are not recommended.

Indications

• Dexedrine, and Concerta are indicated for the treatment of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), and sleep disorders like narcolepsy according to rxlist.com. Narcolepsy is defined "...by excessive daytime sleepiness and sleep attacks," according to the sleepdisorderchannel.com.

  Neither Concerta nor Dexedrine is recommended for children younger than 6. Dexedrine is indicated for patients between the ages of 6 to 16 with a diagnosis of ADHD. Concerta on the other hand is indicated for the treatment of ADHD in 6-year-old patients to adults aged 65, according to rxlist.com.

  Concerta or Dexedrine may be prescribed to treat overweight problems, according to emedtv.com.

Contraindications

• Dexedrine should not be used if the patient has advanced arteriosclerosis, (hardening/narrowing) of the arteries, high blood pressure, overactive thyroid, glaucoma or in an agitated state, according to rxlist.com. Patients should not take Dexedrine while on monamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOI). MAO inhibitors are a class of drugs that treat depression. Before taking Dexedrine, patients need to stop taking MAOI's for at least 14 days according to rxlist.com.

  Concerta has the same contraindications as Dexedrine, including taking the medication while on anticoagulants (blood thinners), antidepressants and a host of other drugs because combining them with Concerta can change the way they all work in the body, according to rxlist.com.

Warnings

• The potential for abuse, and addiction are high with Concerta and Dexedrine.

  Neither of these drugs should be taken unless your physician knows about other medications you take, or plan to take, including herbal supplements, and over-the-counter drugs.

  Long-term use of Concerta may cause long-term suppression of growth in children aged 7 to 10, according to rxlist.com. Both of these drugs contain extensive literature on side-effects and adverse reactions, as well as warnings about their use.

  It is very important that you read additional material about these drugs to get a detailed picture of their benefits and risks.