- Last edited on October 25, 2021
Concerta® (methylphenidate)
Primer
Concerta® (methylphenidate) is a stimulant medication in the methylphenidate class used primarily in the treatment of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Pharmacokinetics
- Essentially mimics taking Ritalin three times a day (TID), by having 3 independent dose deliveries over a longer period of time.
- OROS Delivery System
- Capsule shell is excreted in the stool (tell patient this ahead of time!)
- Capsule must not be cut or chewed and must be swallowed whole!
- Cannot be easily tampered with for purposes of drug abuse or misuse
- However, 22% of the total dosage is on the outside of the pill (for immediate release), which can be scrapped/extracted and abused.
Pharmacodynamics
- Formulations: 18, 27, 36, 54 mg tabs
- Starting dose: 18mg qAM
- Titration: increase by 9-18mg qWeekly
- Maximum dose: 54 mg in children/adolescents, 72 mg in adults