Comparative Pharmacology
Head-to-head clinical analysis: CONCERTA versus METHYLIN ER.
Peer-Reviewed Evidence
Head-to-head clinical analysis: CONCERTA versus METHYLIN ER.
CONCERTA vs METHYLIN ER
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 stimulant that blocks the reuptake of dopamine and norepinephrine into presynaptic neurons, increasing their availability in the synaptic cleft.
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.
Mean 3-6 hours in adults; longer in children (4-8 hours). Clinical context: steady-state reached within 2 days; dosing every 8-12 hours.
Primarily renal (77%-87% as unchanged drug and metabolites); metabolic elimination accounts for 13%-23%, with minor biliary excretion (<2%).
Renal (90% as metabolites, <1% unchanged). Biliary/fecal: <2%.
Category C
Category C
CNS Stimulant
CNS Stimulant