ADHD Medication & Treatment

Adhansia XR

Adhansia XR is an extended release methylphenidate medicine used to treat ADHD in children in adults. Learn about its dosages, side effects, and usage, along with how it differs from other stimulant medications like Concerta or Ritalin.
Generic name: methylphenidate hydrochloride

Update
Effective July 20, 2022, Adlon Therapeutics has discontinued the sale of Adhansia XR® (methylphenidate HCI) extended-release capsules.

What Is the ADHD Medication Adhansia XR?

Adhansia XR (methylphenidate hydrochloride) is a once-daily, extended release ADHD medication approved to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD or ADD) in patients six years and older. The medication is a central nervous system (CNS) stimulant, which may aid in increasing attention and decreasing impulsiveness and hyperactivity in people with ADHD.

According to the FDA, Adhansia XR is a controlled substance because it contains methylphenidate, which can be a target for people who abuse prescription medicines or street drugs. The stimulant has not been tested in children under six years of age.

How Does Adhansia XR Work to Treat ADHD Symptoms?

Adhansia XR capsules are made up of beads with immediate-release and controlled-released layers. The immediate-release layer carries about 20 percent of the methylphenidate dose, while the controlled-release layer contains the rest. The extended-release medication begins to act one hour after administration and lasts for approximately 16 hours post-dose.

Your healthcare provider may temporarily halt Adhansia XR treatment to check ADHD symptoms.

How Do You Use Adhansia XR to Treat ADHD?

Before starting or refilling an Adhansia XR prescription, read the medication guide included with your pills, as it may be updated with new information.

This guide should not replace a conversation with your doctor, who has a holistic view of your or your child’s medical history, other diagnoses, and other prescriptions. If you have questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist before you begin taking the medication.

What Dosage of Adhansia XR Is Used to Treat ADHD?

As with all medications, follow your Adhansia XR prescription instructions exactly. The capsule is taken orally in the morning, with or without food, and is available in six dosage strengths: 25 mg, 35 mg, 45 mg, 55 mg, 70 mg, and 85 mg. Purdue Pharmaceuticals L.P., the medication’s manufacturer, recommends 25 mg once daily as the starting dose for patients.

The capsule may be taken whole, or its contents may be sprinkled onto a tablespoon of applesauce or yogurt. The entire mixture should be consumed by swallowing, not chewing, within 10 minutes, and cannot be stored afterward.

Do not administer Adhansia XR later in the day in the event of a missed dose.

Avoid alcohol while taking Adhansia XR, as consuming alcohol may result in a more rapid release of the methylphenidate dose.

What Are the Side Effects of Adhansia XR?

The most common side effects of Adhansia XR include trouble sleeping, dry mouth, decreased appetite, and decreased weight.

Other serious side effects include circulation problems in fingers and toes, priapism, slowing of growth in children, and allergic-type reactions if consuming the 45 mg capsules. Adhansia XR can also cause heart-related problems, including increased blood pressure, sudden death, stroke, and heart attacks. Your healthcare provider should check you or your child’s blood pressure and heart rate regularly during treatment.

Adhansia XR can also cause mental (psychiatric) problems including new or worse behavior and thought problems, new or worse bipolar illness, and new psychotic or manic symptoms. Tell your healthcare provider about any mental problems you or your child have, or about a family history of suicide, bipolar illness, or depression.

The medication, as is the case with other methylphenidate-containing medicines, has a high chance for abuse and can cause physical and psychological dependence. Your healthcare provider should check you or your child for signs of abuse and dependence before and during treatment.

What Precautions Are Associated with Adhansia XR?

Store Adhansia XR at room temperature and in a secure place out of the reach of children. Do not use the medication for a condition for which it was not prescribed. Do not share your Adhansia XR prescription with anyone, even if they have the same symptoms. Sharing prescription medication is unlawful and can cause harm.

Do not take Adhansia XR if you are allergic to methylphenidate hydrochloride or any of the ingredients in the medication. You should not take Adhansia XR if you are taking, or have stopped taking within the past two weeks, a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) used to treat depression.

If you are thinking of having a child, discuss the use of Adhansia XR with your doctor. It is not known if the medication presents a potential risk of fetal harm. The National Pregnancy Registry for Psychosis has opened a registry for Adhansia XR to collect information about the health of females and babies exposed to the medication. Talk to your healthcare provider about registering.

Adhansia XR does pass into breast milk, so talk to your doctor about the best way to feed the baby during treatment if you are breastfeeding or plan to.

What Interactions Are Associated with Adhansia XR?

Discuss all other active medications with your doctor before taking Adhansia XR, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Especially tell your doctor if you or your child take an MAOI, as Adhansia XR can have a dangerous, possibly fatal interaction with it. Do not start any new medicine during treatments with Adhansia XR without consulting with your healthcare provider first.

The above is not a complete list of all possible drug interactions.