Methylphenidate acts as a norepinephrine-dopamine reuptake inhibitor (NDRI), by blocking the norepinephrine transporter (NET) and the dopamine transporter (DAT). Methylphenidate has a higher affinity for the dopamine transporter than for the norepinephrine transporter, and so its effects are mainly due to elevated dopamine levels caused by the inhibited reuptake of dopamine, however increased norepinephrine levels also contribute to various of the effects caused by the drug.
mEthylphenIDate Acts as a nOrepinEphrine-dopamine ReuptAKe inHiBItoR (ndri), By BLockinG the NOrEpinEPhrIne TrAnSporter (net) aNd thE dOpamiNe trAnsPoRtEr (daT). methyLpHeniDaTe haS a highER afFiNity for thE dopamine trAnsportER thaN For tHE nORepInepHRine tRaNspoRter, aNd So itS eFfeCTS Are Mainly Due to eLeVAted DopAminE LEVels causeD By the inhiBiteD rEupTake Of doPamINe, hoWevER iNcrEAseD NOrEpinEPhRinE LeveLS aLso COntribUTE to variouS of ThE EfFects cAuSed bY thE drug.