Comparative Pharmacology
Head-to-head clinical analysis: CONCERTA versus FOCALIN XR.
Peer-Reviewed Evidence
Head-to-head clinical analysis: CONCERTA versus FOCALIN XR.
CONCERTA vs FOCALIN XR
Comparing the clinical profiles, pharmacokinetic behaviors, and safety indices of these two therapeutic agents.
Methylphenidate is a central nervous system (CNS) stimulant. It blocks the reuptake of norepinephrine and dopamine into presynaptic neurons, increasing their levels in the synaptic cleft. It also acts as a dopamine agonist by stimulating the release of dopamine from storage sites.
Focalin XR (dexmethylphenidate) is a central nervous system stimulant. It blocks the reuptake of norepinephrine and dopamine into presynaptic neurons, increasing their concentrations in the synaptic cleft. The d-threo enantiomer is pharmacologically active.
18-72 mg orally once daily in the morning, starting at 18-36 mg/day and titrating in 18 mg increments weekly; maximum 72 mg/day.
Initial 20 mg orally once daily; may increase in 10-20 mg increments at weekly intervals; maximum 60 mg/day.
None Documented
None Documented
Terminal elimination half-life of methylphenidate from CONCERTA is approximately 3.5 hours (range 2.5-5.5 hours) in adults; in children, mean half-life is 3-4 hours. The extended-release formulation provides a prolonged clinical effect due to the OROS delivery system, not prolonged half-life.
Terminal half-life: 2-3 hours for immediate-release; 6-8 hours for extended-release (FOCALIN XR)
Primarily renal (77%-87% as unchanged drug and metabolites); metabolic elimination accounts for 13%-23%, with minor biliary excretion (<2%).
Renal (approximately 90% as unchanged drug and metabolites)
Category C
Category C
CNS Stimulant
CNS Stimulant