Drug Comparison
For educational purposes only — a decision-support tool, not a substitute for clinical judgment.
Side-by-side rubric across 96 psychiatric medications. Every rating traces to a verbatim primary-source quote — click any cell to see it.
How to read this tool ▾
Rating scale
– Favorable / lower than class baseline
± Minimal / equivocal
+ Low / uncommon
++ Moderate / common
+++ High / very common
++++ Very high / class-outlier
Frequency vs severity
F = frequency, S = severity. Each gets its own pill colored on the same traffic-light scale: green → blue → yellow → orange → red. Click any cell for incidence percentages and NNH.
Evidence tier
A Network meta-analysis / RCT / FDA label
B Cohort / registry / pooled label data
C Expert review / textbook / case series
Sourcing
Click any cell to see the verbatim source quote and citation. Missing data shows n/a.
Data depth
++ Graded — frequency + severity, primary-source traces
+ FDA label — §6 frequency only (dashed border). Click for sub-types.
Blank — not yet checked (not “absent”)
–±++++++++++ABCF = frequency · S = severity · Dashed border = FDA label only · Click cell for details
1 drug selected — Dextroamphetamine(click to collapse)
1/4 selected
Dextroamphetamine
Dexedrine · Adderall · XELSTRYM
CNS Stimulant (Amphetamine-based) · C-II
FDA-approved indications
- ADHD (adults; pediatric 6+)
- Narcolepsy (adults; pediatric 6+; oral formulations)
Off-label uses
- Narcolepsy
- Treatment-resistant depression (augmentation)
MechanismCentral Nervous System Stimulant
Half-life10 to 13 hours
Decision GuideWhen to pick each / when to consider an alternative
Dextroamphetamine
Consider when
- Pure d-amphetamine preferred — d-isomer is 3–4× more potent than l-amphetamine at releasing DA; cleaner dopaminergic profile
- Narcolepsy — FDA-approved for narcolepsy; longest historical evidence base among amphetamines for this indication
- ADHD in children ≥3 years — FDA-approved starting at age 3; one of few stimulants with preschool-age approval
- Spansule (ER) formulation for extended release — unique wax-matrix sustained-release capsule technology
- +1 more
Consider an alternative when
- Abuse/diversion risk — IR dextroamphetamine is easily crushed/injected; lisdexamfetamine prodrug is tamper-resistant alternative
- Cardiovascular disease or structural abnormality — same class warnings as all amphetamines; boxed warning for SCD, MI, stroke
- Severe anxiety — d-amphetamine may worsen anxiety more than mixed salts due to purer dopaminergic profile
- Appetite suppression is problematic — potent anorexigenic effect; weight monitoring essential especially in children
- +1 more
| Axis | Dextroamphetamine stimulant |
|---|---|
| Boxed Warnings | |
Mania / hypomania induction | |
Agranulocytosis / severe neutropenia | |
Abuse / addiction liability | |
| CNS | |
Activation / insomnia | |
Seizure risk | |
Tics / Tourette's exacerbation | |
| Metabolic | |
Weight loss | |
Appetite suppression / anorexia | |
| Pediatric | |
Growth suppression (pediatric) | |
| Autonomic | |
Dry mouth (xerostomia) | |
Sweating | |
| Cardiac | |
Blood pressure elevation | |
Heart rate / tachycardia | |
| Vascular | |
Peripheral vasculopathy / Raynaud's | |
| GI | |
Nausea / GI (general) | |
| Local | |
Application/injection-site reactions | |
| Discontinuation | |
Withdrawal / discontinuation | |
| Interactions | |
Serotonin syndrome risk | |
MAOI co-administration contraindication | |
CYP interactions / DDI profile | |
| Safety | |
Overdose toxicity | |
| Pregnancy | |
Lactation / breastfeeding safety | |
| Drug-specific / distinctive axes | |
External heat sensitivity (W&P 5.10 — Xelstrym DISTINCTIVE) only in Dextroamphetamine | |