Methylphenidate (Equasym XL®)

Following a full submission.

Methylphenidate modified release (Equasym XL®) is accepted for restricted use within NHS Scotland for the treatment of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) as part of a comprehensive treatment programme, when remedial measures alone prove insufficient.

Like other modified release methylphenidate formulations, it should be considered second line and used only in exceptional circumstances where the supervising clinician has clear evidence that administration of a midday dose is problematic or inappropriate. As for other methylphenidate preparations, initiation of treatment should be by a specialist in childhood behaviour disorders. The pharmacokinetic profile of Equasym XL® differs from that of other modified release formulations of methylphenidate.

Equasym XL ® would be suitable for patients who do not require therapy in the evening or could have been managed on morning and lunchtime immediate release methylphenidate.