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Methylphenidate Dosage

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Aug 8, 2024.

Applies to the following strengths: (50/50 release) 20 mg/24 hr; (50/50 release) 30 mg/24 hr; (50/50 release) 40 mg/24 hr; (50/50 release) 10 mg/24 hr; 5 mg; 10 mg; 20 mg; 20 mg/8 hr; (50/50 release) 60 mg/24 hr; (30/70 release) 50 mg/24 hr; (30/70 release) 60 mg/24 hr; (30/70 release) 10 mg/24 hr; (30/70 release) 20 mg/24 hr; (30/70 release) 30 mg/24 hr; (30/70 release) 40 mg/24 hr; 5 mg/5 mL; 18 mg/24 hr; 27 mg/24 hr; 36 mg/24 hr; 54 mg/24 hr; 10 mg/9 hr; 15 mg/9 hr; 20 mg/9 hr; 30 mg/9 hr; 10 mg/8 hr; 10 mg/5 mL; (40/60 release) 10 mg/24 hr; (40/60 release) 15 mg/24 hr; (40/60 release) 20 mg/24 hr; (40/60 release) 30 mg/24 hr; (40/60 release) 40 mg/24 hr; (40/60 release) 50 mg/24 hr; (40/60 release) 60 mg/24 hr; 63 mg/24 hr; 72 mg/24 hr; 45 mg/24 hr; 20 mg/24 hr; 30 mg/24 hr; 40 mg/24 hr; 25 mg/5 mL; 2.5 mg; 8.6 mg/24 hr; 17.3 mg/24 hr; 25.9 mg/24 hr; (evening dose) 20 mg/24 hr; (evening dose) 40 mg/24 hr; (evening dose) 60 mg/24 hr; (evening dose) 80 mg/24 hr; (evening dose) 100 mg/24 hr; (20/80 release) 25 mg/24 hr; (20/80 release) 35 mg/24 hr; (20/80 release) 45 mg/24 hr; (20/80 release) 55 mg/24 hr; (20/80 release) 70 mg/24 hr; (20/80 release) 85 mg/24 hr

Usual Adult Dose for Attention Deficit Disorder

IMMEDIATE-RELEASE (IR):
ORAL TABLETS, ORAL SOLUTION, CHEWABLE TABLETS:


EXTENDED-RELEASE (ER): 8-hour ER oral tablet (e.g., Ritalin SR):

Once daily ER tablet (with 12-hour duration of effect, e.g., Concerta):
Methylphenidate-naive:
Patients Currently Using IR Methylphenidate:
TITRATE in 18 mg increments weekly to achieve optimal response
Maximum dose: 72 mg/day

Once daily (40% IR/60% ER) oral capsule (e.g., Aptensio XR):
Initial Dose: 10 mg orally once a day
Maximum dose: 60 mg/day

Once daily (30% IR/70% ER) oral capsule (e.g., Metadate CD)
Initial Dose: 20 mg orally once a day
Maximum dose: 60 mg/day

Once daily (30% IR/70% ER) chewable tablet (e.g., QuilliChew ER)
Initial Dose: 20 mg orally once a day in the morning
Maximum dose: 60 mg/day

Once daily (20% IR/80% ER) oral capsule (e.g., Adhansia XR)
Initial dose: 25 mg orally once a day
Maximum dose: 100 mg/day (doses above 85 mg/day have been associated with increased adverse reactions)

Once daily (20% IR/80% ER) oral suspension (e.g., Quillivant XR)
Initial Dose: 20 mg orally once a day in the morning
Maximum Dose: 60 mg/day

Once daily evening capsule (e.g., Jornay PM)
Initial dose: 20 mg orally once a day at 8 PM; adjust timing between 6:30 PM and 9:30 PM to optimize tolerability and efficacy the next morning and throughout the following day
Maximum dose: 100 mg/day

Comments:

Use: For the treatment of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).

Usual Adult Dose for Narcolepsy

IMMEDIATE-RELEASE (IR):
ORAL TABLETS, ORAL SOLUTION, CHEWABLE TABLETS:
Average dose: 20 to 30 mg orally in 2 or 3 divided doses, preferably 30 to 45 minutes before meals
Maximum dose: 60 mg/day

EXTENDED-RELEASE (ER): 8-hour ER oral tablet (e.g., Ritalin SR):


Comments:

Use: Treatment of Narcolepsy

Usual Pediatric Dose for Attention Deficit Disorder

6 years or older:
IMMEDIATE-RELEASE (IR):
ORAL TABLETS, ORAL SOLUTION, CHEWABLE TABLETS:
Initial dose: 5 mg orally twice a day (before breakfast and lunch)

Maximum dose: 60 mg/day

EXTENDED-RELEASE (ER): 8-hour ER oral tablet (e.g., Ritalin SR):

Once daily ER tablet (with 12-hour duration of effect, e.g., Concerta):
Methylphenidate-naive:
Patients Currently Using IR Methylphenidate:
TITRATE in 18 mg increments weekly to achieve optimal response
Maintenance doses:
Maximum doses: 54 mg/day (6 to 12 years old); 72 mg/day (13 years or older)

Once daily (50% IR/50% ER) oral capsule (e.g., Ritalin LA):
Age: 6 to 12 years of age (methylphenidate-naive):
Patients Currently Using Immediate-release (IR) or Sustained-release (SR) Methylphenidate:
TITRATE gradually in 10 mg increments weekly to optimal response
Maximum dose: 60 mg/day

Once daily (40% IR/60% ER) oral capsule (e.g., Aptensio XR):
Initial Dose: 10 mg orally once a day
Maximum dose: 60 mg/day

Once daily (30% IR/70% ER) oral capsule (e.g., Metadate CD)
Initial Dose: 20 mg orally once a day
Maximum dose: 60 mg/day

Once daily (30% IR/70% ER) chewable tablet (e.g., QuilliChew ER)
Initial Dose: 20 mg orally once a day in the morning
Maximum dose: 60 mg/day

Once daily (25% IR/75% ER) oral disintegrating tablet (e.g., Cotempla XR)
Initial dose: 17.3 mg orally once a day in the morning
Maximum dose: 51.8 mg/day

Once daily (20% IR/80% ER) oral capsule (e.g., Adhansia XR)
Initial dose: 25 mg orally once a day
Maximum dose: 85 mg/day (doses above 70 mg/day have been associated with increased adverse reactions)

Once daily (20% IR/80% ER) oral suspension (e.g., Quillivant XR)
Initial Dose: 20 mg orally once a day in the morning
Maximum Dose: 60 mg/day

Once daily evening capsule (e.g., Jornay PM)
Initial dose: 20 mg orally once a day at 8 PM; adjust timing between 6:30 PM and 9:30 PM to optimize tolerability and efficacy the next morning and throughout the following day
Maximum dose: 100 mg/day

Transdermal patch, 9-hour extended release (e.g., Daytrana)
Week 1: Apply 10 mg patch to hip area once a day; remove 9 hours later
Week 2: Apply 15 mg patch to hip area once a day; remove 9 hours later
Week 3: Apply 20 mg patch to hip area once a day; remove 9 hours later
Week 4: Apply 30 mg patch to hip area once a day; remove 9 hours later

Comments:

Use: For the treatment of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).

Usual Pediatric Dose for Narcolepsy

6 years or older:
IMMEDIATE-RELEASE (IR):
ORAL TABLETS, ORAL SOLUTION, CHEWABLE TABLETS:
Initial dose: 5 mg orally twice a day (before breakfast and lunch)

Maximum dose: 60 mg/day

EXTENDED-RELEASE (ER): 8-hour ER oral tablet (e.g., Ritalin SR):

Use: Treatment of Narcolepsy

Renal Dose Adjustments

No adjustment recommended

Liver Dose Adjustments

No adjustment recommended

Dose Adjustments

Elderly:


Dose adjustment: Extended-release products should generally not be substituted on a mg-per-mg basis because products have differing pharmacokinetic profiles

Switching from Other Methylphenidate Products:

Precautions

US BOXED WARNING: ABUSE AND DEPENDENCE:


CONTRAINDICATIONS:
ADDITIONAL CONTRAINDICATIONS FOR DAYTRANA PATCH, METHYLIN:

Safety and efficacy have not been established in patients younger than 6 years

Consult WARNINGS section for additional precautions.

US Controlled Substance: Schedule II

Dialysis

Data not available.

Other Comments

Administration Advice:
Immediate-Release:


Once daily formulations: Administration times relative to meals and meal composition may need to be individually titrated; generally, take consistently with or without food


Reconstitution/preparation techniques:
TRANSDERMAL PATCH 9-hour extended release (Daytrana):

Storage Requirements:

General:

Monitoring:
Pre-Treatment Screening:
During Therapy:

Patient Advice:

Frequently asked questions

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.