Dosage & Administration
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Quillivant XR Prescribing Information
QUILLIVANT XR has a high potential for abuse and misuse, which can lead to the development of a substance use disorder, including addiction. Misuse and abuse of CNS stimulants, including QUILLIVANT XR, can result in overdose and death [see Overdosage ( 10 )], and this risk is increased with higher doses or unapproved methods of administration, such as snorting or injection.
Before prescribing QUILLIVANT XR, assess each patient’s risk for abuse, misuse, and addiction. Educate patients and their families about these risks, proper storage of the drug, and proper disposal of any unused drug. Throughout QUILLIVANT XR treatment, reassess each patient’s risk of abuse, misuse, and addiction and frequently monitor for signs and symptoms of abuse, misuse, and addiction [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1), Drug Abuse and Dependence (9.2)].QUILLIVANT XR is indicated for the treatment of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) [see Clinical Studies ( 14 )].
Pretreatment Screening
Prior to treating patients with QUILLIVANT 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) [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2)].
- the family history and clinically evaluate patients for motor or verbal tics or Tourette’s syndrome before initiating QUILLIVANT XR [see Warnings and Precautions (5.10)].
Recommended Dosage
Before administering the dose, VIGOROUSLY SHAKE the bottle of QUILLIVANT XR for at least 10 seconds, to ensure that the proper dose is administered.The recommended starting dose of QUILLIVANT XR for patients 6 years and above is 20 mg once daily in the morning. The dose may be titrated weekly in increments of 10 mg to 20 mg. Daily doses above 60 mg have not been studied and are not recommended. As with any CNS stimulant, during titration of QUILLIVANT XR, the prescribed dose should be adjusted, if necessary, until a well‑tolerated, therapeutic dose is achieved.
Patients should be advised to avoid alcohol while taking QUILLIVANT XR [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)].
Administration Instructions
QUILLIVANT XR should be orally administered once daily in the morning with or without food [see Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 )].
Switching from other Methylphenidate Products
If switching from other methylphenidate products, discontinue that treatment, and titrate with QUILLIVANT XR using the above titration schedule.
Do not substitute for other methylphenidate products on a milligram-per-milligram basis, because of different methylphenidate base compositions and differing pharmacokinetic profiles [see Description ( 11 ), Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 )].
Dose Reduction and Discontinuation
If paradoxical aggravation of symptoms or other adverse effects occur, reduce dosage, or, if necessary, discontinue the drug. If improvement is not observed after appropriate dosage adjustment over a one-month period, the drug should be discontinued.Reconstitution Instructions for the Pharmacist
QUILLIVANT XR is supplied as a powder for oral suspension which must be reconstituted with water prior to dispensing. Preparation instructions: Tap bottle until powder flows freely. Remove bottle cap, and add specified amount of water to the bottle (see Table 1 below). Fully insert bottle adapter into neck of bottle [see Instructions for Use, Figures F and G]. Replace bottle cap. Shake with vigorous back and forth motion for at least 10 seconds to prepare suspension.
| Amount of drug in bottle | Amount of water to add to bottle | Final reconstituted volume (yield) |
| 300 mg | 53 mL | 60 mL |
| 600 mg | 105 mL | 120 mL |
| 750 mg | 131 mL | 150 mL |
| 900 mg | 158 mL | 180 mL |
Store reconstituted QUILLIVANT XR at 25ºC (77ºF); excursions permitted from 15º to 30ºC (59º to 86ºF). Dispense in original packaging (bottle in carton) with bottle adapter inserted and with enclosed oral dosing dispenser. QUILLIVANT XR is stable for up to 4 months after reconstitution.
Extended-release oral suspension (after reconstitution with water): 25 mg per 5 mL (5 mg per mL).
Pregnancy
Pregnancy Exposure Registry
There is a pregnancy exposure registry that monitors pregnancy outcomes in women exposed to ADHD medications during pregnancy. Healthcare providers are encouraged to register patients by calling the National Pregnancy Registry for Psychostimulants at 1-866-961-2388 or visiting online at https://womensmentalhealth.org/clinical-and-research-programs/pregnancyregistry/othermedications/.
Risk Summary
There are limited published studies and small case series that report on the use of methylphenidate in pregnant women; however, the data are insufficient to inform any drug-associated risks. There are clinical considerations [see Clinical Considerations]. No teratogenic effects were observed in embryo-fetal development studies with oral administration of methylphenidate to pregnant rats and rabbits during organogenesis at doses 2 and 11 times, respectively, the maximum recommended human dose (MRHD). However, spina bifida was observed in rabbits at a dose 40 times the MRHD [see Data].
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 stimulant medications, such as QUILLIVANT XR, 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 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. Teratogenic effects (increased incidence of fetal spina bifida) were observed in rabbits at the highest dose, which is approximately 40 times the maximum recommended human dose (MRHD) on a mg/m2 basis. The no effect level for embryo-fetal development in rabbits was 60 mg/kg/day (11 times the MRHD on a mg/m2 basis). There was no evidence of specific teratogenic activity in rats, although increased incidences of fetal skeletal variations were seen at the highest dose level (7 times the MRHD on a mg/m2 basis), which was also maternally toxic. The no effect level for embryo-fetal development in rats was 25 mg/kg/day (2 times the MRHD on a mg/m2 basis).
Lactation
Risk Summary
Limited published literature reports that methylphenidate is present in human milk, which resulted in infant doses of 0.16% to 0.7% of the maternal weight-adjusted dosage and a milk/plasma ratio ranging between 1.1 and 2.7. There are no reports of adverse effects on the breastfed infant and no effects on milk production. Long-term neurodevelopmental effects on infants from CNS stimulant exposure are unknown. The developmental and health benefits of breastfeeding should be considered along with the mother’s clinical need for QUILLIVANT XR and any potential adverse effects on the breastfed infant from QUILLIVANT XR or from the underlying maternal condition.
Clinical Considerations
Monitor breastfeeding infants for adverse reactions, such as agitation, insomnia, anorexia, and reduced weight gain.
Pediatric Use
The safety and effectiveness of QUILLIVANT XR have been established in pediatric patients ages 6 to 17 years. Use of QUILLIVANT XR in pediatric patients 6 to 12 years of age is supported by one adequate and well-controlled study [see Clinical Studies (14)]. Use in 12 to 17 year old’s is supported by the adequate and well-controlled studies of QUILLIVANT XR in younger pediatric patients and additional pharmacokinetic data in adolescents, along with safety information from other methylphenidate‑containing products. The safety and effectiveness of QUILLIVANT XR 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 CNS stimulants, including QUILLIVANT XR. Children who are not growing or gaining weight as expected may need to have their treatment interrupted [see Warnings and Precautions (5.7)].
Juvenile Animal 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 6 times the maximum recommended human dose (MRHD) on a mg/m2 basis.
In the 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 6 times the maximum recommended human dose [MRHD] on a mg/m2 basis) or greater, and a deficit in the acquisition of a specific learning task was observed in females exposed to the highest dose (12 times the MRHD on a mg/m2 basis). The no effect level for juvenile neurobehavioral development in rats was 5 mg/kg/day (half the MRHD on a mg/m2 basis). The clinical significance of the long-term behavioral effects observed in rats is unknown.
Geriatric Use
QUILLIVANT XR has not been studied in patients over the age of 65 years.
Hypersensitivity to Methylphenidate or other Components of QUILLIVANT XR
QUILLIVANT XR is contraindicated in patients known to be hypersensitive to methylphenidate, or other components of QUILLIVANT XR. Hypersensitivity reactions such as angioedema and anaphylactic reactions have been reported in patients treated with other methylphenidate products [see Adverse Reactions ( 6.2 )].
Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors
QUILLIVANT XR is contraindicated during treatment with monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), and also within 14 days following discontinuation of treatment with a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI), because of the risk of hypertensive crisis [see Drug Interactions ( 7.1 )].