Is methylphenidate an amphetamine?

No—methylphenidate is not an amphetamine.

• Chemical class: Amphetamines (like amphetamine and methamphetamine) are phenethylamines with a simple primary amine side chain. Methylphenidate is a piperidine derivative, chemically distinct from amphetamines.
• Pharmacology: Both drugs are central nervous system stimulants and increase dopamine (and norepinephrine) levels, which is why they share some therapeutic uses (e.g., ADHD). However, methylphenidate primarily blocks dopamine and norepinephrine reuptake rather than acting as a substrate for release, a key difference in how it modulates neurotransmission.

So while methylphenidate is often grouped with stimulants in a broader sense, it is not an amphetamine from a structural or classification standpoint.