Dexmethylphenidate Hcl Er (dexmethylphenidate HCl)

Advertisement

Last reviewed · Source: First Databank (FDB) drug data

Overview

Dexmethylphenidate hydrochloride, the d-threo enantiomer of racemic methylphenidate hydrochloride, is a CNS stimulant that has pharmacologic actions that are qualitatively similar to those of amphetamines. Serdexmethylphenidate chloride is a prodrug of dexmethylphenidate hydrochloride and probably lacks pharmacologic activity until it's converted to dexmethylphenidate in the GI tract.

Dexmethylphenidate hydrochloride, the more pharmacologically active (d-threo) enantiomer of racemic methylphenidate hydrochloride, is a CNS stimulant. Serdexmethylphenidate is a prodrug of dexmethylphenidate. The mechanism of action of dexmethylphenidate in the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has not been determined.

Dexmethylphenidate hydrochloride is well absorbed following oral administration. Because of first-pass metabolism, mean absolute bioavailability is 22-25%. When dexmethylphenidate hydrochloride is administered orally as conventional tablets in fasting patients, peak plasma concentrations are achieved within 60-90 minutes after a dose.

When the drug is administered as extended-release capsules, peak plasma concentrations are attained at 1.5 hours and again at 6.5 hours after a dose. Extended-release capsules are absorbed more slowly but to the same extent as conventional tablets. Plasma concentrations of dexmethylphenidate achieved following single-dose oral administration of dexmethylphenidate hydrochloride capsules are comparable to the dexmethylphenidate concentrations achieved following single-dose oral administration of racemic methylphenidate hydrochloride capsules at equimolar doses (twice the total mg amount of dexmethylphenidate hydrochloride).

Dexmethylphenidate is metabolized principally by de-esterification to form d-ritalinic acid, which has little or no pharmacologic activity. In vitro studies indicate that the drug does not inhibit the cytochrome P-450 (CYP) enzyme system. The mean plasma elimination half-life of dexmethylphenidate is 2-3 hours in pediatric patients and approximately 3 hours in healthy adults.

Dexmethylphenidate hydrochloride is commercially available as conventional tablets and extended-release capsules. Each bead-filled dexmethylphenidate hydrochloride extended-release capsule contains one-half of the dose as immediate-release beads and one-half as enteric-coated, delayed-release beads, thus providing an immediate release of dexmethylphenidate hydrochloride followed by a second delayed release of the drug.

Capsules containing serdexmethylphenidate chloride in fixed combination with dexmethylphenidate hydrochloride contain a fixed molar ratio of 70% serdexmethylphenidate and 30% dexmethylphenidate. Conversion of serdexmethylphenidate to dexmethylphenidate is thought to occur mainly in the lower GI tract. Oral bioavailability of serdexmethylphenidate is less than 3%.

Inclusion of the immediate-release dexmethylphenidate component in the fixed-combination preparation allows for rapid attainment of therapeutic concentrations of the active drug. Following single-dose oral administration of the fixed combination in the fasted state, peak plasma dexmethylphenidate concentrations are attained in approximately 2 hours, while following oral administration of serdexmethylphenidate alone, peak plasma dexmethylphenidate concentrations are attained in approximately 8 hours. The mean terminal elimination half-lives of serdexmethylphenidate and dexmethylphenidate in healthy adults are approximately 5.7 and 11.7 hours, respectively.

USES: This medication is used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder - ADHD. It works by changing the amounts of certain natural substances in the brain. Dexmethylphenidate belongs to a class of drugs known as stimulants.

It can help increase your ability to pay attention, stay focused on an activity, and control behavior problems. It may also help you to organize your tasks and improve listening skills.

Generic name: dexmethylphenidate HCl
Pronunciation: (dex-METH-il-FEN-i-date)

Reference product & biosimilars

No reference, biosimilar or interchangeable associated with this drug.

Today’s intelligence on Dexmethylphenidate Hcl Er

Intelligence content is not available yet.

Indications

The following indications are listed for Dexmethylphenidate Hcl Er:

  • Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Also known as: Add With Hyperactivity.

Dosing

Dosage of dexmethylphenidate hydrochloride generally is expressed in terms of the salt; however, dosage of the fixed combination containing serdexmethylphenidate chloride and dexmethylphenidate hydrochloride is expressed in terms of serdexmethylphenidate and dexmethylphenidate. Each 26.1, 39.2, or 52.3 mg of serdexmethylphenidate is equivalent to 28, 42, or 56 mg, respectively, of serdexmethylphenidate chloride, and each 5.2, 7.8, or 10.4 mg of dexmethylphenidate is equivalent to 6, 9, or 12 mg, respectively, of dexmethylphenidate hydrochloride. The combined molar dose of serdexmethylphenidate and dexmethylphenidate in each dosage strength of the fixed combination (i.e., 26.1 mg/5.2 mg, 39.2 mg/7.8 mg, or 52.3 mg/10.4 mg of serdexmethylphenidate/dexmethylphenidate, respectively) is equivalent to 20, 30, or 40 mg, respectively, of dexmethylphenidate hydrochloride.

Drug interactions

Methylphenidate is not metabolized by cytochrome P-450 (CYP) isoenzymes to a clinically relevant extent. Inducers or inhibitors of CYP isoenzymes are not expected to substantially impact the pharmacokinetics of methylphenidate. The possibility that drug interactions reported with racemic methylphenidate could also occur with dexmethylphenidate should be considered.

Contraindications

*Known hypersensitivity to methylphenidate, serdexmethylphenidate, or any ingredient in the formulation. Bronchospasm, rash, and pruritus have been reported in patients receiving serdexmethylphenidate and dexmethylphenidate in fixed combination (Azstarys(R)).

*Concomitant or recent (within 14 days) administration of monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors, since hypertensive crisis could result.

Adverse reactions

Dexmethylphenidate hydrochloride conventional tablets: Abdominal pain, fever, nausea, and anorexia each occurred in 5% or more of pediatric patients 6-17 years of age receiving dexmethylphenidate hydrochloride conventional tablets in clinical trials and were at least twice as frequent in patients receiving the drug as in those receiving placebo. Twitching (motor or vocal tics), anorexia, insomnia, and tachycardia each resulted in discontinuance of dexmethylphenidate hydrochloride conventional tablets in approximately 1% of patients.

Dexmethylphenidate hydrochloride extended-release capsules: Dyspepsia, decreased appetite, headache, and anxiety each occurred in 5% or more of pediatric patients 6-17 years of age receiving dexmethylphenidate hydrochloride extended-release capsules in clinical trials and were at least twice as frequent in patients receiving the drug as in those receiving placebo. Dry mouth, dyspepsia, headache, pharyngolaryngeal pain, and anxiety each occurred in 5% or more of adult patients receiving dexmethylphenidate hydrochloride extended-release capsules in clinical trials. Twitching (motor or vocal tics), anorexia, insomnia, and tachycardia each resulted in discontinuance of dexmethylphenidate hydrochloride extended-release capsules in approximately 1% of pediatric patients. In adult patients, insomnia, jittery feeling, anorexia, and anxiety each resulted in discontinuance of therapy in about 1-2% of patients.

Serdexmethylphenidate/dexmethylphenidate capsules: Based on accumulated data from other methylphenidate products, the most common adverse effects (reported in 5% or more of patients and at least twice the rate of placebo) are decreased appetite, insomnia, nausea, vomiting, dyspepsia, abdominal pain, decreased weight, anxiety, dizziness, irritability, affect lability, tachycardia, and increased blood pressure.

Precautions

No enhanced messaging available.

ICD codes

No ICD codes are available for this drug.

Formulary status

Search health-plan coverage for this drug by ZIP code.

Enter a ZIP code to view available health plans.

Last reviewed · Source: First Databank (FDB) drug data