ADHD Medicine that Makes Mornings Easier

Mornings have always been a struggle for us, but it looks like there's a new formulation of methylphenidate that might take effect faster in the mornings. I know that would be great around our house. Mornings are a definite struggle.

Yet another new formulation of long-acting methylphenidate may ease the stress of getting children with ADHD ready for school in the morning, researchers reported here.

“This new method of delivering the drug shows promise in reducing the time and effort in getting an ADHD child or adolescent ready in the morning,” Arnold told MedPage Today. “Presently, the only other approach that parents can use to get effective blood serum levels of methylphenidate (MPH) by the morning rising time is to wake their children at 4 a.m. for a dose and then returning to sleep – for both the parent and child.”

Arnold noted that the formulation relies on DELEXIS technology for controlled release of the drug, which is to be taken once-daily in the evening to control symptoms throughout the day. The medication is coated with two layers of polymer that only permits release of the drug once it has reached the colon. Thus, blood serum levels of methylphenidate do not begin to increase until 8 hours after the medication is consumed.

HLD200 is currently under review by the FDA as a treatment for ADHD, with a decision date expected by July 30 of this year.