“The good news is that there has never been a better time to have ADHD,” I said last night to a client consulting with me about her new diagnosis. Yes, I sought to boost her optimism about making the life changes she desired. But it’s the truth. Never has there been such a huge number of ADHD-related published studies, of evidence-based strategies, of support sources, and of medications.
Case in point: I mentioned to her a new medication I learned about at the CHADD conference exhibit hall: Quillivant XR. It is based on the oldest, most well-studied medical treatment for ADHD: the stimulant called methlyphenidate. (Other methylphenidate medications include Ritalin, Concerta, and the Daytrana patch.)
With the recent introduction of Quillivant XR, we now have a liquid, extended-release formulation designed to last 12 hours (as always, your mileage may vary, given your unique neurochemistry). Basically, it comes as a powder that your pharmacist will mix for you into a liquid. You will be given 1 bottle (containing the liquid), 1 oral dosing dispenser, and 1 bottle adapter. The question-and-answer page on this product is here.
One obvious appeal for this liquid stimulant option is for children who have a hard time swallowing pills or capsules. But a liquid also enables more precise and individualized dosing – for children, teens, or adults. After all, sometimes a person’s ideal dose lies somewhere between the available dosage strengths of the pills or capsules. This isn’t the first liquid-stimulant formulation, but it’s the most sophisticated in its extended-release profile.
It’s always interesting to look at a medication’s profile–that is, the pattern the medication follows from the time it’s taken to the time it wears off. Below is the profile for Quillivant XR, compared to an immediate-release (IR) methylphenidate liquid solution.
Note that the Quillivant avoids the “roller coaster” ups and downs that are so common with the IR products. The other extended-release methylphenidate options, such as Concerta, also show more sustained and smooth profiles. So do some amphetamine-class stimulants such as Vyvanse. (In the future, I’ll share with you more medication profiles.) You can read more details about Quillivant XR here.
I have heard no first-hand reports about Quillavant XR. If you’ve tried it, please share your experiences. (Please note that I accept no funding from pharmaceutical manufacturers. My advocacy is entirely self-funded.)
Tags: new ADHD medication, quillavant; liquid ADHD medication; daytrana; concerta
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This could have changed our family life completely. I do not know why we can put a man on the moon but it took drug companies into the 21st century to develop delivery systems for life saving medications.
Never mind; it is good to hear that the rising generation of children with ADHD will have another medication available in case its specific properties are needed.
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That’s true, Betsy. I was watching one of Chris Dendy’s videos of a Teen ADHD Panel. It can’t have been made that long ago — maybe the early 1990s?
Yet, I was cringing as I heard the kids describe the meds they were taking — Dexedrine, Adderall, Ritalin, all in IR. They were still receiving benefit, for the most part, but knowing what we know how about the “rollercoaster” deliveries of those Rx…..eek.
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There are many, many children who can’t swallow pills or capsules. That is what ruled our days for years. She wanted to take the medicine, it was obvious to her it helped, she was religious about it, but how?? I can’t begin to tell you the methods, rituals, sneak-ups, distractors we had to develop. I’d like to just forget about it all, really.
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Yes, you should probably do that.
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my grandson is very picky with taste. Is this flavored?
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Hi Elaine,
Apparently, it uses banana flavor.Ironically, taking the medication might help your grandson better tolerate flavors and textures.
g
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iv been on quillivant for 3 months (45-50mg) a day or so, and tasts like bananahs, but the side effects are really bad everything from seeing thing to ,realizing your not even breathing anymore or your holding ur breathe, never hungery , havnt aten in two days nd i feel as if i could go thee rest of my life with out eating easily ,but of course you have to eat to live ,
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Michel,
Please talk to your doctor. This might not the right medication for you, or might be the wrong dosage.
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My son who is non-verbal (Phelan-McDermid Syndrome) just started this medication. He used to be on pills, but has become increasingly difficult to get him to take pill even when crushed up and dissolved in juice.
So far, I have seen no obvious side effects. Unfortunately he cannot tell me if he is uncomfortable, but if you watch his behaviors, you can pretty much tell when he is uncomfortable.
I will try to get back to provide progress updates.
If anyone has seen any bad effects hopefully I will see the posts and know what to look for.
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Thanks for your comment, Philip. I hope it works well for your son.
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Has anyone noticed since it lasts 12 hours that it makes falling asleep a problem? Just curious before I consider switching meds.
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I have been taken quillivant xr about 4 weeks now my dose is 40 mg and I am 39 year’s old. it seems okay yet I haven’t tried a lot of other meds for add. adderall makes me feel anxious like crawling out of my skin.. and I am bipolar as well. the big thing for me is heart burn.. wow bad.
and @ times I think I might be depressed not sure if it’s this med I’m keeping a log anyone else with depression from this med?
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