Methylphenidate Extended Release (Concerta)
Osmotic-release methylphenidate tablet with an initial overcoat dose followed by controlled ascending delivery. The tablet must be swallowed whole.
Projected serum levels — 36 mg, once daily
Maintenance schedule: 36 mg once daily (oral).
Modeled steady state after ~1 days: peak ≈ 4.6 mg, trough ≈ 0.37 mg body load. Population-based estimate over 15 days for a 36 mg dose at a 70 kg reference body mass — the interactive app scales curves to your doses, timing, and body mass.
Key facts
- Category
- Stimulant
- Route modeled
- Oral
- Model confidence
- inferred
- Half-life
- 3.6 h
- Common dose
- 36 mg
- Suggested maximum
- 72 mg/day
- Reference dose range
- 18–72 mg (single dose)
- Suggested cadence
- once daily
- Validated against
- 36 mg oral — Cmax 0.009 mg/L at 6.5 h
Research behind this entry
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Methylphenidate for children and adolescents with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
Cochrane review of 185 RCTs found methylphenidate improves teacher-rated ADHD symptoms and general behavior in children, though evidence quality was low due to risk of bias.
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Comparative efficacy and tolerability of medications for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder in children, adolescents, and adults: a systematic review and network meta-analysis
Landmark network meta-analysis of 133 RCTs found methylphenidate was the preferred first-choice pharmacotherapy for ADHD in children/adolescents (best efficacy-tolerability balance); amphetamines preferred in adults.
2 published studies referenced in the app, each with a plain-language summary.