Description
Advantages
Cotempla is an Extended-Release form of methylphenidate, lasting 8-9 hours. In addition, it comes as a grape flavored Orally Dissolving Tablet for children who have trouble swallowing a pill.
Disadvantages
Expensive and not usually covered by insurance.
Excerpt from the book: ADHD Medications: Does It Work and Is It Save? Available on Amazon
Cotempla XR–ODT has two unique characteristics. First, Cotempla is another extended-release methylphenidate, lasting about 8–9 hours. In order to extend the release of methylphenidate over 8–9 hours, it uses a unique microparticle delivery technology, similar to the technology that Quillivant XR Liquid uses. Some 30 percent of the particles are immedi- ate release and 70 percent are extended release.The combination of these particles allows Cotempla XR ODT to last 8–9 hours.
The second unique characteristic is that Cotempla is a grape- flavored orally dissolving tablet. Many young children, when given a pill, hold the pill in their mouths but refuse to swallow it. Cotempla dissolves in a few minutes and can be followed with a glass of water so that the child does not spit out the orally dissolved solution. This is the only methylphenidate preparation available as an orally dissolving tablet. Notice that Cotempla is available in three unusual dosages, 8.6mg,
17.3mg, and 25.9mg. Why is that?
When methylphenidate is outside the body, it is hooked to a salt, hydrochloride. The hydrochloride salt does little, except that it keeps the charge on the molecule neutral. Before methylphenidate can have an effect in the brain, the hydrochloride is removed. The hydrochloride does not change the effectiveness or side-effect profile of a medication. When Cotempla XR-ODT is absorbed into the brain, methyl- phenidate is not hooked to hydrochloride. As a result, 10 mg of meth- ylphenidate hydrochloride is equivalent to 8.6 mg of methylphenidate
(MPH). And that is why Cotempla has such odd dosing options.
10 mg of MPH-HCl is equal to 8.6 mg of Cotempla XR-ODT. 20 mg of MPH-HCl is equal to 17.3 mg of Cotempla XR-ODT. 30 mg of MPH-HCl is equal to 25.9 mg of Cotempla XR-ODT.
So, if a child is receiving 10 mg of Metadate CD or 10 mg of Ritalin LA, and needs to switch to Cotempla, he should start on 8.6mg Cotempla XR-ODT.
