Dexmethylphenidatedosage

Patients new to methylphenidate: Recommended starting dose is 5 mg once daily for pediatric patients and 10 mg once daily for adults with or without food in the morning.

Patients currently on methylphenidate: Focalin XR dosage is half (1/2) the current total daily dosage of methylphenidate.

Patients currently on Focalin (dexmethylphenidate) immediate-release tablets: Give the same daily dose of Focalin XR.

Titrate weekly in increments of 5 mg in pediatric patients and 10 mg in adult patients.

Maximum recommended daily dose: 30 mg in pediatric patients and 40 mg in adults.

Capsules may be swallowed whole or opened and the entire contents sprinkled on applesauce.

2.1 Pretreatment

Screening Prior to treating patients with Focalin XR, assess:

for the presence of cardiac disease (i.e., perform a careful history, family history of sudden death or ventricular arrhythmia, and physical exam).

the family history and clinically evaluate patients for motor or verbal tics or Tourette’s syndrome before initiating Focalin XR.

2.2 Recommended

Dosage Patients New to Methylphenidate The recommended starting dosage of Focalin XR for patients who are not currently taking dexmethylphenidate or racemic methylphenidate, or for patients who are on stimulants other than methylphenidate are:

Pediatric patients: Start with 5 mg orally once daily in the morning with or without food.

Adult patients: Start with 10 mg orally once daily in the morning with or without food. Patients Currently on Methylphenidate The recommended starting dose of Focalin XR for patients currently using methylphenidate is half (1/2) the total daily dose of racemic methylphenidate. Patients currently using Focalin (dexmethylphenidate) immediate-release tablets may be given the same daily dose of Focalin XR. Titration Schedule The dose may be titrated weekly in increments of 5 mg in pediatric patients and 10 mg in adult patients. The dose should be individualized according to the needs and response of the patient. Daily doses above 30 mg in pediatrics and 40 mg in adults have not been studied and are not recommended.

2.3 Administration

Instructions Focalin XR is administered orally and may be taken whole or the capsule may be opened and the entire contents sprinkled onto applesauce. If the patient is using the sprinkled administration method, the sprinkled applesauce should be consumed immediately; it should not be stored. Patients should take the applesauce with sprinkled beads in its entirety without chewing. The dose of a single capsule should not be divided. The contents of the entire capsule should be taken, and patients should not take anything less than one capsule per day.

2.4 Dosage Reduction and

Discontinuation If paradoxical aggravation of symptoms or other adverse reactions occur, reduce the dosage, or if necessary, discontinue Focalin XR. If improvement is not observed after appropriate dosage adjustment over a one-month period, the drug should be discontinued.