50/50dosage

Administer orally once daily in the morning. Capsules may be swallowed whole, or opened and the entire contents sprinkled on applesauce. Should not be crushed, chewed, or divided.

Patients new to methylphenidate: Start at 20 mg daily, titrating the dose weekly in 10-mg increments. Doses above 60 mg daily are not recommended. For patients currently using methylphenidate hydrochloride tablets or methylphenidate hydrochloride extended-release tablets: Dosage is based on current dose regimen. If switching from other methylphenidate products, discontinue treatment and titrate with methylphenidate hydrochloride extended-release capsules.

2.1 Pretreatment

Screening Prior to initiating treatment with central nervous system (CNS) stimulants, including methylphenidate hydrochloride extended-release capsules, assess for the presence of cardiac disease (i.e., perform a careful history including family history of sudden death or ventricular arrhythmia, and physical examination). Assess the risk of abuse prior to prescribing, and monitor for signs of abuse and dependence while on therapy. Maintain careful prescription records, educate patients about abuse, monitor for signs of abuse and overdose, and periodically reevaluate the need for methylphenidate hydrochloride extended-release capsules use.

2.2 General

Dosing Information The recommended starting dose for methylphenidate hydrochloride extended-release capsules is 20 mg once daily. Increase dosage gradually, in increments of 10 mg weekly. Daily dosage above 60 mg is not recommended. When a lower initial dose is appropriate, patients may begin treatment with 10 mg. Administer methylphenidate hydrochloride extended-release capsules orally once daily in the morning. Methylphenidate hydrochloride extended-release capsules may be swallowed as whole capsules or may be administered by sprinkling the capsule contents on a small amount of applesauce (see specific instructions below). Methylphenidate hydrochloride extended-release capsules and/or their contents should not be crushed, chewed, or divided. The capsules may be carefully opened and the beads sprinkled over a spoonful of applesauce. The applesauce should not be warm because it could affect the modified release properties of this formulation. The mixture of drug and applesauce should be consumed immediately in its entirety. The drug and applesauce mixture should not be stored for future use. Pharmacological treatment of ADHD may be needed for extended periods. Periodically reevaluate the long-term use of methylphenidate hydrochloride tablets and methylphenidate hydrochloride extended-release tablets, and adjust dosage as needed.

2.3 Patients

Currently Using Methylphenidate Hydrochloride Tablets or Methylphenidate Hydrochloride Extended-Release Tablets The recommended dose of methylphenidate hydrochloride extended-release capsules for patients currently taking methylphenidate hydrochloride tablets twice daily or methylphenidate hydrochloride extended-release (SR) is provided below.

Table 1: Recommended Dose Conversion from Methylphenidate Hydrochloride Tablets or Methylphenidate Hydrochloride Extended-Release Tablets Previous Methylphenidate Hydrochloride Tablets or Methylphenidate Hydrochloride Extended-Release Tablets Dose Recommended Methylphenidate Hydrochloride Extended-Release Capsules Dose 5 mg methylphenidate hydrochloride tablets twice daily 10 mg once daily 10 mg methylphenidate hydrochloride tablets twice daily or 20 mg methylphenidate hydrochloride extended-release tablets 20 mg once daily 15 mg methylphenidate hydrochloride tablets twice daily 30 mg once daily 20 mg methylphenidate hydrochloride tablets twice daily or 40 mg methylphenidate hydrochloride extended-release tablets 40 mg once daily 30 mg methylphenidate hydrochloride tablets twice daily or 60 mg methylphenidate hydrochloride extended-release tablets 60 mg once daily

2.4 Switching from other

Methylphenidate Products If switching from other methylphenidate products, discontinue that treatment, and titrate with methylphenidate hydrochloride extended-release capsules using the titration schedule. Do not substitute for other methylphenidate products on a milligram-per-milligram basis, because different methylphenidate base compositions and differing pharmacokinetic profiles. Clinical judgment should be used when selecting the starting dose. Daily dosage above 60 mg is not recommended.

2.5 Dose Reduction and

Discontinuation If paradoxical worsening of symptoms or other adverse reactions occur, reduce the dosage, or, if necessary, discontinue methylphenidate hydrochloride extended-release capsules. If improvement is not observed after appropriate dosage adjustment over a one-month period, the drug should be discontinued.