Comparative Pharmacology
Head-to-head clinical analysis: CONCERTA versus QUILLICHEW ER.
Peer-Reviewed Evidence
Head-to-head clinical analysis: CONCERTA versus QUILLICHEW ER.
CONCERTA vs QUILLICHEW 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.
Quillichew ER contains methylphenidate, a central nervous system (CNS) stimulant. The mechanism of action in ADHD is not fully understood, but it is thought to block the reuptake of norepinephrine and dopamine into the presynaptic neuron, increasing their availability in the extraneuronal space.
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, titrate by 10 mg weekly to maximum 60 mg/day (methylphenidate component).
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.
The terminal elimination half-life of methylphenidate is approximately 3-4 hours in children and 3.5-5 hours in adults. For QuilliChew ER, the extended-release formulation provides a prolonged absorption phase, with an effective duration of action of up to 12 hours.
Primarily renal (77%-87% as unchanged drug and metabolites); metabolic elimination accounts for 13%-23%, with minor biliary excretion (<2%).
QuilliChew ER (methylphenidate extended-release chewable tablet) is primarily eliminated via renal excretion as metabolites (60-80%) and unchanged drug (approx. 10%). Hepatic metabolism accounts for the remainder. Fecal elimination is minimal.
Category C
Category C
CNS Stimulant
CNS Stimulant