Description
Advantages
Multiple dosages allowing for easier titration. Capsule can be opened and sprinkled on applesauce or pudding. Good for a younger child. Less expensive than Concerta.
Disadvantages
Brand name is no longer available, but an identical generic, made by a subsidiary of the company that
produced Metadate CD. Shorter lasting than Concerta, but may be a good choice for a younger child.
Excerpt from the book: ADHD Medications: Does It Work and Is It Save? Available on Amazon
Metadate CD is an extended-release methylphenidate medication that lasts about 8–9 hours after an oral dose. Metadate CD uses the same medication release mechanism as does Ritalin LA, a mixture of two types of coated beads, one that is immediate release and the other that is extended release. The immediate-release beads function just like plain methylpheni- date or Ritalin, taking about 20–30 minutes to take affect and lasting about 3–4 hours. The extended-release beads are coated to delay the onset for about 3–4 hours and last another four hours. The combination of the two beads results in a medication that begins to take effect in 20–30 minutes and lasts for 8–9 hours after an oral dose. In this way, Metadate CD is very simi- lar to Ritalin LA. The only difference is that the bead mixture in Ritalin LA is 50 percent immediate release and 50 percent extended release, whereas Metadate CD is 30 percent immediate release and 70 percent extended release. Because Metadate CD has relatively more extended-release beads, it has a slightly longer effect (8–9 hours) than Ritalin LA (7–8 hours).
One advantage of Metadate is that unlike some other extended- release medications such as Concerta, this capsule can be opened and sprinkled on a spoonful of pudding or ice cream or applesauce. However, the small beads must be swallowed without chewing (if they are chewed, all of the medication will be released too early and would cause the child to get more medication than intended).
Brand name Metadate CD was discontinued by its manufacturer in April 2017. However, multiple generics are available, and if a physician writes a prescription for Metadate CD, it will be filled with a generic. UCB, the com- pany that originally produced Metadate CD, sold Metadate CD to Lannett Pharmaceutical Co. as an authorized generic. Although Lannett sells the medication as a generic, it is actually identical to brand-name Metadate CD.
Metadate CD is no longer available as brand name, so ask your physician to write the prescription as follows:
Metadate CD 10mg (generic from Lannett only NDC = 00527-4579-37)
For most pharmacies, the above prescription without the NDC is usually effective, and most physicians are not used to using the NDC code. However, with so many different methylphenidate generics,6 to be sure of getting Metadate CD brand (now generic) it is best to specify the NDC code. The NDC code is different for each strength:
10mg: 00527-4579-37
20mg: 00527-4580-37
30mg: 00527-4581-37
40mg: 00527-4582-37
50mg: 00527-4583-37
60mg: 00527-4584-37
