Methylphenidate extended-release

FDA label, Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc., oral, effective 2026-04-20. Full label on DailyMed

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From MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine

Quoted from the FDA label. Product labels differ by manufacturer and change over time; confirm against the label for the product you are using.

Boxed warning

WARNING: ABUSE, MISUSE, AND ADDICTION CONCERTA has a high potential for abuse and misuse, which can lead to the development of a substance use disorder, including addiction. Misuse and abuse of CNS stimulants, including CONCERTA, can result in overdose and death [see Overdosage (10) ] , and this risk is increased with a higher dosage or unapproved methods of administration, such as snorting or injection. Before prescribing CONCERTA, assess each patient's risk for abuse, misuse, and addiction. Educate patients and their families about these risks, proper storage of CONCERTA, and proper disposal of any unused drug.

Throughout CONCERTA treatment, reassess each patient's risk of abuse, misuse, and addiction and frequently monitor for signs and symptoms of abuse, misuse, and addiction [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) and Drug Abuse and Dependence (9.1 , 9.2) ]. WARNING: ABUSE, MISUSE, AND ADDICTION See full prescribing information for complete boxed warning. CONCERTA has a high potential for abuse and misuse, which can lead to the development of a substance use disorder, including addiction. Misuse and abuse of CNS stimulants, including CONCERTA, can result in overdose and death ( 5.1 , 9.2 , 10 ): Before prescribing CONCERTA, assess each patient's risk for abuse, misuse, and addiction.

Educate patients and their families about these risks, proper storage of CONCERTA, and proper disposal of any unused drug. Throughout treatment, reassess each patient's risk and frequently monitor for signs and symptoms of abuse, misuse, and addiction.

Dosing in kidney impairment

This label has no separate kidney-impairment dosing section. Check warnings and clinical pharmacology in the full label.

Preparation and administration

Important Administration Instructions Administer CONCERTA orally once daily in the morning with or without food. Swallow CONCERTA whole with liquids. Do not split, crush, or chew the extended-release tablets because doing so will compromise the extended-release characteristics of CONCERTA and may compromise the effectiveness or safety of CONCERTA.

Drug interactions

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Label text (3 paragraphs)

Table 6 describes clinically significant drug interactions with CONCERTA. Table 6: Clinically Significant Drug Interactions Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors Prevention or Management Concomitant use of CNS stimulants, including CONCERTA, with MAOIs or within 14 days after discontinuing an MAOI is contraindicated [ see Contraindications (4) ]. Mechanism and Clinical Effect(s) Concomitant use of MAOIs and CNS stimulants, including CONCERTA, can cause hypertensive crisis. Potential outcomes include death, stroke, myocardial infarction, aortic dissection, ophthalmological complications, eclampsia, pulmonary edema, and renal failure.

Antihypertensive Drugs Prevention or Management Increase monitoring for blood pressure and adjust the dosage of the antihypertensive drug, as needed. Mechanism and Clinical Effect(s) CONCERTA may decrease effectiveness of drugs used to treat hypertension [see Warnings and Precautions 5.3 ]. Halogenated Anesthetics Prevention or Management Avoid use of CONCERTA in patients being treated with anesthetics on the day of surgery. Mechanism and Clinical Effect(s) Concomitant use of halogenated anesthetics and CONCERTA may increase the risk of sudden blood pressure and heart rate increase during surgery. Risperidone Prevention or Management Monitor for signs of extrapyramidal symptoms.

Mechanism and Clinical Effect(s) The risk of risperidone-associated extrapyramidal symptoms may increase in patients taking concomitant CONCERTA when there is a change in the CONCERTA or risperidone dosage. Antihypertensive drugs : Monitor blood pressure. Adjust dosage of antihypertensive drug as needed. ( 7 ) See additional clinically significant drug interactions, in the DRUG INTERACTIONS section ( 7 ).

Contraindications

4 CONTRAINDICATIONS CONCERTA is contraindicated in patients: Known to be hypersensitive to methylphenidate or other components of CONCERTA. Hypersensitivity reactions, such as angioedema and anaphylactic reactions, have been reported in patients treated with CONCERTA. [see Adverse Reactions (6) ] . Receiving concomitant monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), and within 14 days following discontinuation of treatment with a MAO inhibitor because of the risk of a hypertensive crisis [see Drug Interactions (7) ] .

Known hypersensitivity to methylphenidate or other components of CONCERTA ( 4 ) Receiving concomitant monoamine oxidase inhibitors and within 14 days following discontinuation of treatment with a MAO inhibitor ( 4 )

Safety data

Reported adverse events (FAERS)

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Source: FDA Adverse Event Reporting System via openFDA

Liver injury (LiverTox)

LiverTox has no chapter for methylphenidate extended-release. Check the label's hepatic warnings.

Pregnancy and lactation

Pregnancy

8.1 Pregnancy Pregnancy Exposure Registry There is a pregnancy exposure registry that monitors pregnancy outcomes in women exposed to ADHD drugs, including CONCERTA, during pregnancy. Healthcare providers are encouraged to advise patients to register by calling the National Pregnancy Registry for ADHD Medications at 1-866-961-2388 or visiting https://womensmentalhealth.org/adhd-medications/ . Risk Summary Published studies and post-marketing reports on methylphenidate use during pregnancy have inconsistent findings about a drug-associated risk of major birth defects, miscarriage, or adverse maternal or fetal outcomes.

There are risks to the fetus associated with the use of central nervous system (CNS) stimulants during pregnancy ( see Clinical Considerations ) . No effects on morphological development were observed in embryo-fetal development studies with oral administration of methylphenidate to pregnant rats and rabbits throughout organogenesis at doses up to 4 and 16 times, respectively, the maximum recommended human dose (MRHD) of 72 mg/day given to adults on a mg/m 2 basis. However, spina bifida was observed in rabbits at a dose 54 times the MRHD given to adults. A slight decrease in body weight was observed in pregnant rats at the highest dose of 30 mg/kg/day (4 times the MRHD given to adults).

In a pre- and postnatal development study in which rats were treated with oral administration of methylphenidate throughout pregnancy and lactation, a decrease in pup body weight, alterations in sensory and neuromotor performance, and deficits in learning and memory were observed in both sexes at the highest dose (4 times the MRHD given to adults on a mg/m 2 basis) (see Data ) . The background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in those with ADHD is unknown. All pregnancies have a background risk of birth defects, loss, or other adverse outcomes. In the U.S.

general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2% to 4% and 15% to 20%, respectively. Clinical Considerations Fetal/Neonatal Adverse Reactions: CNS stimulants, such as CONCERTA, can cause vasoconstriction and thereby decrease placental perfusion. No fetal and/or neonatal adverse reactions have been reported with the use of a therapeutic dosage of methylphenidate during pregnancy; however, premature delivery and low birth weight infants have been reported in amphetamine dependent mothers.

Data Animal Data: In embryo-fetal development studies conducted in rats and rabbits, methylphenidate was administered orally at…

For breastfeeding, also see LactMed (National Library of Medicine), which summarizes milk levels and infant effects.

Supply and cost

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Therapeutic equivalence (Orange Book)

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