Comparative Pharmacology
Head-to-head clinical analysis: CYLERT versus FOCALIN XR.
Peer-Reviewed Evidence
Head-to-head clinical analysis: CYLERT versus FOCALIN XR.
CYLERT vs FOCALIN XR
Comparing the clinical profiles, pharmacokinetic behaviors, and safety indices of these two therapeutic agents.
CNS stimulant; increases extracellular dopamine and norepinephrine levels by blocking their reuptake and enhancing release.
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.
37.5 mg orally once daily in the morning; may increase by 18.75 mg weekly to a maximum of 112.5 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 is 12-30 hours in children (mean 19 hours) and 8-14 hours in adults; the long half-life supports once-daily dosing, but accumulation can occur with repeated dosing
Terminal half-life: 2-3 hours for immediate-release; 6-8 hours for extended-release (FOCALIN XR)
Primarily renal (80-90% as unchanged drug and metabolites, with 50-60% as unchanged pemoline), minor biliary/fecal elimination (<10%)
Renal (approximately 90% as unchanged drug and metabolites)
Category C
Category C
CNS Stimulant
CNS Stimulant