Comparative Pharmacology
Head-to-head clinical analysis: CONCERTA versus METADATE CD.
Peer-Reviewed Evidence
Head-to-head clinical analysis: CONCERTA versus METADATE CD.
CONCERTA vs METADATE CD
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.
Methylphenidate is a central nervous system (CNS) stimulant. It blocks the reuptake of norepinephrine and dopamine into the presynaptic neuron, increasing their levels in the extraneuronal space. The precise mechanism for treating ADHD is not fully understood.
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.
20-60 mg orally once daily in the morning
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 elimination half-life: 6.8 hours (range 4.5-10.3 hours) for methylphenidate; clinical context: supports twice-daily dosing regimen
Primarily renal (77%-87% as unchanged drug and metabolites); metabolic elimination accounts for 13%-23%, with minor biliary excretion (<2%).
Renal: 78-97% as metabolites (primarily ritalinic acid), unchanged drug <1%; fecal: <2%
Category C
Category C
CNS Stimulant
CNS Stimulant