Methylphenidate Hydrochloride CD

METHYLPHENIDATE HYDROCHLORIDE CD- methylphenidate hydrochloride capsule, extended release
Lannett Company, Inc.

Once Daily

Rx Only

DESCRIPTION

Methylphenidate HCl Extended-Release Capsules CD is a central nervous system (CNS) stimulant. The extended-release capsules comprise both immediate-release (IR) and extended-release (ER) beads such that 30% of the dose is provided by the IR component and 70% of the dose is provided by the ER component. Methylphenidate HCl Extended-Release Capsules CD is available in six capsule strengths containing 10 mg (3 mg IR; 7 mg ER), 20 mg (6 mg IR; 14 mg ER), 30 mg (9 mg IR; 21 mg ER), 40 mg (12 mg IR; 28 mg ER), 50 mg (15 mg IR; 35 mg ER), or 60 mg (18 mg IR; 42 mg ER) of methylphenidate hydrochloride for oral administration.

Chemically, methylphenidate HCl is d,l (racemic)-threo -methyl α-phenyl-2-piperidineacetate hydrochloride. Its empirical formula is C₁₄ H₁₉ NO₂ •HCl. Its structural formula is:

Methylphenidate HCl USP is a white, odorless, crystalline powder. Its solutions are acid to litmus. It is freely soluble in water and in methanol, soluble in alcohol, and slightly soluble in chloroform and in acetone. Its molecular weight is 269.77.

Methylphenidate HCl Extended-Release Capsules CD also contains the following inert ingredients: Sugar spheres, povidone, hydroxypropylmethylcellulose and polyethylene glycol, ethylcellulose aqueous dispersion, dibutyl sebacate, gelatin, and titanium dioxide.

The individual capsules contain the following color agents:

10 mg capsules: FD&C Blue No. 2, FDA/E172 Yellow Iron Oxide
20 mg capsules: FD&C Blue No. 2
30 mg capsules: FD&C Blue No. 2, FDA/E172 Red Iron Oxide
40 mg capsules: FDA/E172 Yellow Iron Oxide50 mg capsules: FD&C Blue No. 2, FDA/E172 Red Iron Oxide

CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY

Pharmacodynamics

Methylphenidate HCl is a central nervous system (CNS) stimulant. The mode of therapeutic action in Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is not known. Methylphenidate is thought to block the reuptake of norepinephrine and dopamine into the presynaptic neuron and increase the release of these monoamines into the extraneuronal space. Methylphenidate is a racemic mixture comprised of the d- and l-threo enantiomers. The d-threo enantiomer is more pharmacologically active than the l-threo enantiomer.

Pharmacokinetics

The pharmacokinetics of the Methylphenidate HCl Extended-Release Capsules CD methylphenidate hydrochloride formulation have been studied in healthy adult volunteers and in children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).

Absorption And Distribution

Methylphenidate is readily absorbed. Methylphenidate HCl Extended-Release Capsules CD has a plasma/time concentration profile showing two phases of drug release with a sharp, initial slope similar to a methylphenidate immediate-release tablet, and a second rising portion approximately three hours later, followed by a gradual decline. (See Figure 1 below.)

Comparison Of Immediate Release (IR) And Methylphenidate HCl Extended-Release Capsules CD Formulations After Repeated Doses Of Methylphenidate HCl In Children With ADHD

Methylphenidate HCl Extended-Release Capsules CD was administered as repeated once-daily doses of 20 mg or 40 mg to children aged 7-12 years with ADHD for one week. After a dose of 20 mg, the mean (±SD) early C_max was 8.6 (±2.2) ng/mL, the later C_max was 10.9 (±3.9)¹ ng/mL and AUC_0-9h was 63.0 (±16.8) ng∙h/mL. The corresponding values after a 40 mg dose were 16.8 (±5.1) ng/mL, 15.1 (±5.8)¹ ng/mL and 120 (±39.6) ng∙h/mL, respectively. The early peak concentrations (median) were reached about 1.5 hours after dose intake, and the second peak concentrations (median) were reached about 4.5 hours after dose intake. The means for C_max and AUC following a dose of 20 mg were slightly lower than those seen with 10 mg of the immediate-release formulation, dosed at 0 and 4 hours.

FIGURE 1 Comparison of Immediate Release (IR) and Methylphenidate HCl Extended-Release Capsules CD Formulations After Repeated Doses of Methylphenidate HCl in Children with ADHD

(click image for full-size original)

Dose Proportionality

Following single oral doses of 10-60 mg methylphenidate free base as a solution given to ten healthy male volunteers, C_max and AUC increased proportionally with increasing doses. After the 60 mg dose, t_max was reached 1.5 hours post-dose, with a mean C_max of 31.8 ng/mL (range 24.7-40.9 ng/mL).

Following one week of repeated once-daily doses of 20 mg or 40 mg Methylphenidate HCl Extended-Release Capsules CD to children aged 7-12 years with ADHD, C_max and AUC were proportional to the administered dose.

Food Effects

In a study in adult volunteers to investigate the effects of a high-fat meal on the bioavailability of a dose of 40 mg, the presence of food delayed the early peak by approximately 1 hour (range -2 to 5 hours delay). The plasma levels rose rapidly following the food-induced delay in absorption. Overall, a high-fat meal increased the C_max of Methylphenidate HCl Extended-Release Capsules CD by about 30% and AUC by about 17%, on average (see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION).

After a single dose, the bioavailability (C_max and AUC) of methylphenidate in 26 healthy adults was unaffected by sprinkling the capsule contents on applesauce as compared to the intact capsule. This finding demonstrates that a 20 mg Methylphenidate HCl Extended-Release Capsules CD capsule, when opened and sprinkled on one tablespoon of applesauce, is bioequivalent to the intact capsule.

Metabolism And Excretion

In humans, methylphenidate is metabolized primarily via deesterification to alpha-phenyl-piperidine acetic acid (ritalinic acid). The metabolite has little or no pharmacologic activity.

In vitro studies showed that methylphenidate was not metabolized by cytochrome P450 isoenzymes, and did not inhibit cytochrome P450 isoenzymes at clinically observed plasma drug concentrations.

The mean terminal half-life (t_½ ) of methylphenidate following administration of Methylphenidate HCl Extended-Release Capsules CD (t_½ =6.8h) is longer than the mean terminal (t_½ ) following administration of methylphenidate hydrochloride immediate-release tablets (t_½ =2.9h) and methylphenidate hydrochloride sustained-release tablets (t_½ =3.4h) in healthy adult volunteers. This suggests that the elimination process observed for Methylphenidate HCl Extended-Release Capsules CD is controlled by the release rate of methylphenidate from the extended-release formulation, and that the drug absorption is the rate-limiting process.

Alcohol Effect

An in vitro study was conducted to explore the effect of alcohol on the release characteristics of methylphenidate from the Methylphenidate HCl Extended-Release Capsules CD 60 mg capsule dosage form. At an alcohol concentration of 40% there was an increase in the release rate of methylphenidate in the first hour, resulting in 84% of the methylphenidate being released. The results with the 60 mg capsule are considered to be representative of the other available capsule strengths. Patients should be advised to avoid alcohol while taking Methylphenidate HCl Extended-Release Capsules CD.

Special Populations

Gender

The pharmacokinetics of methylphenidate after a single dose of Methylphenidate HCl Extended-Release Capsules CD were similar between adult men and women.