Comparative Pharmacology
Head-to-head clinical analysis: FOCALIN XR versus JORNAY PM.
Peer-Reviewed Evidence
Head-to-head clinical analysis: FOCALIN XR versus JORNAY PM.
FOCALIN XR vs JORNAY PM
Comparing the clinical profiles, pharmacokinetic behaviors, and safety indices of these two therapeutic agents.
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.
Methylphenidate is a central nervous system (CNS) stimulant. The mode of action in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is not fully understood, but methylphenidate is thought to block the reuptake of norepinephrine and dopamine into the presynaptic neuron, increasing the levels of these neurotransmitters in the extraneuronal space.
Initial 20 mg orally once daily; may increase in 10-20 mg increments at weekly intervals; maximum 60 mg/day.
Initial: 20 mg orally once daily at bedtime; increase by 20 mg weekly as needed; max 100 mg/day.
None Documented
None Documented
Terminal half-life: 2-3 hours for immediate-release; 6-8 hours for extended-release (FOCALIN XR)
The terminal elimination half-life of methylphenidate following JORNAY PM administration is approximately 4-5 hours. This relatively short half-life necessitates the delayed-release/extended-release formulation to provide a prolonged duration of effect.
Renal (approximately 90% as unchanged drug and metabolites)
Methylphenidate and its metabolites are primarily excreted in urine (approximately 90%) as metabolites (mainly ritalinic acid) with about 2% unchanged parent drug. Fecal excretion accounts for <1%.
Category C
Category C
CNS Stimulant
CNS Stimulant