Methylphenidate Drug Information

Methylphenidate hydrochloride extended-release capsules are indicated for the treatment of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), in pediatric patients 6 to 12 years of age . Methylphenidate hydrochloride extended-release capsules are a central nervous system (CNS) stimulant indicated for the treatment of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in pediatric patients 6 to 12 years of age.

Clinical Trials Experience

Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice. The clinical program for methylphenidate hydrochloride extended-release capsules consisted of 6 studies: 2 controlled clinical studies conducted in children with ADHD aged 6 to 12 years and 4 clinical pharmacology studies conducted in healthy adult volunteers. These studies included a total of 256 subjects; 195 children with ADHD and 61 healthy adult volunteers.

The subjects received methylphenidate hydrochloride extended-release capsules in doses of 10 to 40 mg per day. Safety of methylphenidate hydrochloride extended-release capsules was assessed by evaluating frequency and nature of adverse events, routine laboratory tests, vital signs, and body weight. A placebo-controlled, double-blind, parallel-group study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy and safety of methylphenidate hydrochloride extended-release capsules in children with ADHD aged 6 to 12 years.

All subjects received methylphenidate hydrochloride extended-release capsules for up to 4 weeks, and had their dose optimally adjusted, prior to entering the double-blind phase of the trial. In the 2-week double-blind treatment phase of this study, patients received either placebo or methylphenidate hydrochloride extended-release capsules at their individually-titrated dose (range 10 mg to 40 mg). Adverse reactions with an incidence greater than 5% during the initial 4-week single-blind methylphenidate hydrochloride extended-release capsule titration period of this study were headache, insomnia, upper abdominal pain, appetite decreased, and anorexia. Adverse reactions with an incidence greater than 2% among methylphenidate hydrochloride extended-release capsule-treated subjects, during the 2-week double-blind phase of the clinical study, are shown in Table 2. Table 2: Adverse Reactions in Greater Than 2% Methylphenidate Hydrochloride Extended-Release Capsule-Treated Subjects in the 2-Week Double-Blind Phase Preferred Term Methylphenidate Hydrochloride Extended-Release Capsules N = 65 N (%) Placebo N = 71 N (%) Anorexia 2 0 Insomnia 2 0 Adverse Events Associated with Discontinuation of Treatment In the 2-week double-blind treatment phase of a placebo-controlled parallel-group study in children with ADHD, one methylphenidate hydrochloride extended-release capsule-treated subject (1/65, 1.5%) discontinued due to an adverse event (depressed mood). In the single-blind titration period of this study, subjects received methylphenidate hydrochloride extended-release capsules for up to 4 weeks.

During this period a total of 6 subjects (6/161, 3.7%) discontinued due to adverse events. The adverse events leading to discontinuation were anger (2 patients), hypomania, anxiety, depressed mood, fatigue, migraine and lethargy.

Postmarketing Experience

The following adverse reactions have been identified during the post approval use of methylphenidate products. Because these reactions were reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to estimate their frequency reliably or to establish a causal relationship to drug exposure. Adverse Reactions Reported with Methylphenidate Hydrochloride Tablets, Methylphenidate Hydrochloride Extended-Release Tablets, and Methylphenidate Hydrochloride Extended-Release Capsules Infections and Infestations: nasopharyngitis Blood and the Lymphatic System Disorders: leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, anemia Immune System Disorders: hypersensitivity reactions, including angioedema and anaphylaxis Metabolism and Nutrition Disorders: decreased appetite, reduced weight gain, and suppression of growth during prolonged use in children Psychiatric Disorders: insomnia, anxiety, restlessness, agitation, psychosis (sometimes with visual and tactile hallucinations), depressed mood Nervous System Disorders: headache, dizziness, tremor, dyskinesia including choreoathetoid movements, drowsiness, convulsions, cerebrovascular disorders (including vasculitis, cerebral hemorrhages and cerebrovascular accidents), serotonin syndrome in combination with serotonergic drugs Ey e Disorders: blurred vision, difficulties in visual accommodation Cardiac Disorders: tachycardia, palpitations, increased blood pressure, arrhythmias, angina pectoris Respiratory, Thoracic and Mediastinal Disorders: cough Gastrointestinal Disorders: dry mouth, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, dyspepsia Hepatobiliary Disorders: abnormal liver function, ranging from transaminase elevation to severe hepatic injury Skin and Subcutaneous Tissue Disorders: hyperhidrosis, pruritus, urticaria, exfoliative dermatitis, scalp hair loss, erythema multiforme rash, thrombocytopenic purpura Musculoskeletal and Connective Tissue Disorders: arthralgia, muscle cramps, rhabdomyolysis Investigations: weight loss (adult ADHD patients) Adverse Reactions Reported with Other Methylphenidate-Containing Products The list below shows adverse reactions not listed with methylphenidate hydrochloride tablets, methylphenidate hydrochloride extended-release tablets, or methylphenidate hydrochloride extended-release capsules formulations that have been reported with other methylphenidate-containing products.

Blood and Lymphatic Disorders : pancytopenia Immune System Disorders: hypersensitivity reactions such as auricular swelling, bullous conditions, eruptions, exanthemas Psychiatric Disorders: affect lability, mania, disorientation, libido changes Nervous System disorders: migraine Ey e Disorders: diplopia, mydriasis Cardiac Disorders: sudden cardiac death, myocardial infarction, bradycardia, extrasystole Vascular Disorders: peripheral coldness, Raynaud's phenomenon Respiratory, Thoracic and Mediastinal Disorders: pharyngolaryngeal pain, dyspnea Gastrointestinal Disorders: diarrhea, constipation Skin and Subcutaneous Tissue Disorders: angioneurotic edema, erythema, fixed drug eruption Musculoskeletal, Connective Tissue and Bone Disorders: myalgia, muscle twitching Renal and Urinary Disorders: hematuria Reproductive System and Breast Disorders: gynecomastia Genera l Disorders: fatigue, hyperpyrexia Urogenital Disorders: priapism

Clinically Important Interactions with Methylphenidate Hydrochloride Extended-Release Capsules Table 3 presents clinically

important drug interactions with methylphenidate hydrochloride extended-release capsules. Table 3: Drugs Having Clinically Important Drug Interactions with Methylphenidate Hydrochloride Extended-Release Capsules Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOI) Clinical Impact Concomitant use of MAOIs and CNS stimulants, including methylphenidate hydrochloride extended-release capsules, can cause hypertensive crisis. Potential outcomes include death, stroke, myocardial infarction, aortic dissection, ophthalmological complications, eclampsia, pulmonary edema, and renal failure . Intervention Concomitant use of methylphenidate hydrochloride extended-release capsules with MAOIs or within 14 days after discontinuing MAOI treatment is contraindicated.

Examples selegiline, tranylcypromine, isocarboxazid, phenelzine, linezolid, methylene blue Antihypertensive Drugs Clinical Impact Methylphenidate hydrochloride extended-release capsules may decrease the effectiveness of drugs used to treat hypertension . Intervention Monitor blood pressure and adjust the dosage of the antihypertensive drug as needed. Examples Potassium-sparing and thiazide diuretics, calcium channel blockers, ACE inhibitors, ARBs, beta blockers, centrally acting alpha-2 receptor agonists. Halogenated Anesthetics Clinical Impact Concomitant use of halogenated anesthetics and methylphenidate hydrochloride extended-release capsules may increase the risk of sudden blood pressure and heart rate increase during surgery.

Intervention Avoid use of methylphenidate hydrochloride extended-release capsules in patients being treated with anesthetics on the day of surgery. Examples halothane, isoflurane, enflurane, desflurane, sevoflurane

Pregnancy Risk Summary Published studies and postmarketing reports on methylphenidate use during pregnancy have not identified a drug-associated risk of major birth defects, miscarriage or adverse maternal or fetal outcomes. There may be risks to the fetus associated with the use of CNS stimulants use during pregnancy (see Clinical Considerations). No effects on morphological development were observed in embryo-fetal development studies with oral administration of methylphenidate to pregnant rats and rabbits during organogenesis at doses up to 10 and 15 times, respectively, the maximum recommended human dose (MRHD) of 60 mg/day given to adolescents on a mg/m 2 basis. However, spina bifida was observed in rabbits at a dose 52 times the MRHD given to adolescents.

A decrease in pup body weight was observed in a pre- and post-natal development study with oral administration of methylphenidate to rats throughout pregnancy and lactation at doses 6 times the MRHD given to adolescents (see Data). The estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated population is unknown. All pregnancies have a background risk of birth defect, loss, or other adverse outcomes. In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2% to 4% and 15% to 20%, respectively.

Clinical Considerations Fetal/Neonatal Adverse Reactions CNS stimulants such as methylphenidate hydrochloride extended-release capsules, can cause vasoconstriction and thereby decrease placental perfusion. No fetal and/or neonatal adverse reactions have been reported with the use of therapeutic doses of methylphenidate during pregnancy; however, premature delivery and low birth weight infants have been reported in amphetamine-dependent mothers. Data Animal Data In embryo-fetal development studies conducted in rats and rabbits, methylphenidate was administered orally at doses of up to 75 and 200 mg/kg/day, respectively, during the period of organogenesis.

Malformations (increased incidence of fetal spina bifida) were observed in rabbits at the highest dose, which is approximately 52 times the MRHD of 60 mg/day given to adolescents on a mg/m 2 basis. The no effect level for embryo-fetal development in rabbits was 60 mg/kg/day (15 times the MRHD given to adolescents on a mg/m 2 basis). There was no evidence of morphological development effects in rats, although increased incidences of fetal skeletal variations were seen at the highest dose level (10 times the MRHD of 60 mg/day given to adolescents on a mg/m 2 basis), which was also maternally toxic. The no effect level for embryo-fetal development in rats was 25 mg/kg/day (3 times the MRHD on a mg/m 2 basis). When methylphenidate was administered to rats throughout pregnancy and lactation at doses of up to 45 mg/kg/day, offspring body weight gain was decreased at the highest dose (6 times the MRHD of 60 mg/day given to adolescents on a mg/m 2 basis), but no other effects on postnatal development were observed.

The no effect level for pre- and postnatal development in rats was 15 mg/kg/day (~2 times the MRHD given to adolescents on a mg/m 2 basis).

Pediatric Use The safety and effectiveness of methylphenidate hydrochloride extended-release capsules for the treatment of ADHD have been established in pediatric patients 6 to 12 years. The safety and effectiveness of methylphenidate hydrochloride extended-release capsules in pediatric patients less than 6 years have not been established. The long- term efficacy of methylphenidate in pediatric patients has not been established.

Long-Term Suppression of Growth Growth should be monitored during treatment with stimulants, including methylphenidate hydrochloride extended-release capsules. Pediatric patients who are not growing or gaining weight as expected may need to have their treatment interrupted . Juvenile Animal Toxicity Data Rats treated with methylphenidate early in the postnatal period through sexual maturation demonstrated a decrease in spontaneous locomotor activity in adulthood. A deficit in acquisition of a specific learning task was observed in females only.

The doses at which these findings were observed are at least 4 times the MRHD of 60 mg/day given to children on a mg/m 2 basis. In a study conducted in young rats, methylphenidate was administered orally at doses of up to 100 mg/kg/day for 9 weeks, starting early in the postnatal period (postnatal Day 7) and continuing through sexual maturity (postnatal Week 10). When these animals were tested as adults (postnatal Weeks 13 to 14), decreased spontaneous locomotor activity was observed in males and females previously treated with 50 mg/kg/day (approximately 4 times the MRHD of 60 mg/day given to children on a mg/m 2 basis) or greater, and a deficit in the acquisition of a specific learning task was seen in females exposed to the highest dose (8 times the MRHD given to children on a mg/m 2 basis). The no effect level for juvenile neurobehavioral development in rats was 5 mg/kg/day (approximately 0.5 times the MRHD given to children on a mg/m 2 basis). The clinical significance of the long-term behavioral effects observed in rats is unknown.

Hypersensitivity to methylphenidate or other components of methylphenidate hydrochloride extended-release capsules. Hypersensitivity reactions such as angioedema and anaphylactic reactions have been reported in patients treated with methylphenidate. Concomitant treatment with monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), or within 14 days following discontinuation of treatment with an MAOI, because of the risk of hypertensive crises.

Known hypersensitivity to methylphenidate or product components. Concurrent treatment with a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI), or use of an MAOI within the preceding 14 days.

Human Experience Signs and symptoms of acute overdosage, resulting principally from overstimulation of the central nervous system and from excessive sympathomimetic effects, may include the following: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, restlessness, anxiety, agitation, tremors, hyperreflexia, muscle twitching, convulsions (which may be followed by coma), euphoria, confusion, hallucinations, delirium, sweating, flushing, headache, hyperpyrexia, tachycardia, palpitations, cardiac arrhythmias, hypertension, hypotension, tachypnea, mydriasis, dryness of mucous membranes, and rhabdomyolysis. Overdose Management Consult with a Certified Poison Control Center (1-800-222-1222) for the latest recommendations.