Quillivant XR (methylphenidate) is a brand-name drug that’s prescribed for ADHD in adults and some children. Quillivant XR comes as a powder that’s mixed with water and is typically taken once per day.
Quillivant XR is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adults and children ages 6 years and older. “XR” stands for extended release, which means the medication is slowly released into your body over time.
Quillivant XR belongs to a drug class called central nervous system stimulants. It’s not available in a generic version.
Keep reading for specific information about the dosage of Quillivant XR, including its strength and how to take the medication. For a comprehensive look at Quillivant XR, see this article.
Note: This article describes typical dosages for Quillivant XR provided by the drug’s manufacturer. When taking Quillivant XR, always follow the dosage prescribed by your doctor.
If you have thoughts of suicide during Quillivant XR treatment, call 911 or your local emergency number. In the United States, you can also call the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988 or text HOME to the Crisis Textline at 741741. You can also refer to this article for ways to seek support. Misuse and abuse of CNS stimulants, including Quillivant XR, can also lead to suicidal thoughts or behaviors.
Below is information about Quillivant XR’s form, strength, and dosage.
Quillivant XR form
Quillivant XR comes as a powder that your pharmacist will mix with water to form a liquid suspension.
Quillivant XR strength
Quillivant XR comes in one strength of 5 milligrams per milliliter (mg/mL).
Typical dosages
Typically, your doctor will start by prescribing you a low dosage. Then they’ll adjust it over time to reach the amount that’s right for you. Your doctor will ultimately prescribe the smallest dosage that provides the desired effect.
The following information describes dosages that are commonly prescribed or recommended. However, be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. Your doctor will determine the best dosage to fit your needs.
Dosage for ADHD
Doctors may prescribe Quillivant XR to treat ADHD.
If your doctor prescribes Quillivant XR for ADHD, your starting dose will likely be 20 mg. Typically, you’ll take this once per day. After 1 week, your doctor may recommend increasing your dosage to 20 mg or 30 mg taken once per day.
If this dosage isn’t working for you, your doctor may recommend another dosage increase — up to 40 mg or 50 mg taken once per day. The maximum dosage of Quillivant XR that’s recommended is 60 mg once per day.
For more information about your specific dosage, talk with your doctor.
Children’s dosage
Quillivant XR is approved to treat ADHD in children ages 6 years and older.
The dosage for children is the same as the dosage for adults. If your child’s doctor prescribes Quillivant XR for ADHD, their starting dose will likely be 20 mg. Typically, they’ll take this once per day. After 1 week, their doctor may recommend increasing their dosage to 20 mg or 30 mg taken once per day.
If this dosage isn’t working for them, their doctor may recommend another dosage increase — up to 40 mg or 50 mg taken once per day. The maximum dosage of Quillivant XR that’s recommended is 60 mg once per day.
Talk with your child’s doctor if you have questions about their dosage.
How to take Quillivant XR
Quillivant XR comes as a powder that your pharmacist will mix with water to make an oral suspension. The medication comes with a syringe to measure your dose. You may take your dose with or without food.
Shake the bottle well before measuring the dose with the oral syringe.
You should take Quillivant XR first thing upon waking. This helps maintain a steady level of the drug in your body so it can work effectively. It also helps lower your risk of trouble sleeping, which can happen if you take Quillivant XR later in the day.
If you have questions about how to use Quillivant XR, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. There are also step-by-step instructions from the manufacturer.
Long-term treatment
Quillivant XR is meant to be taken as a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that Quillivant XR is safe and effective for you, you’ll likely take it long term.
Before you start taking Quillivant XR, your doctor will discuss your treatment plan with you.
ACCESSIBLE DRUG LABELS AND CONTAINERSSome pharmacies offer labels with large print, braille, or a code you scan with a smartphone to convert text to speech. If your local pharmacy doesn’t have these options, your doctor or pharmacist might be able to recommend a pharmacy that does.
If you’re having trouble opening medication bottles, ask your pharmacist about tools that can make it easier to open bottles. They may also be able to dispense Quillivant XR with a lid that’s easier for you to open.
It’s important that you do not take more Quillivant XR than your doctor prescribes. For some medications, taking more than the recommended amount may lead to harmful effects or overdose.
Effects of an overdose
Overdose effects of Quillivant XR can include:
- increased heart rate
- high or low blood pressure
- heart attack
- tightening of the arteries
- aortic dissection
- takotsubo cardiomyopathy (broken heart syndrome)
- sudden death
- confusion
- agitation
- hallucinations (experiencing things that aren’t real)
- serotonin syndrome
- seizures
- stroke
- coma
- extremely high body temperature
- rhabdomyolysis
If you take more than the recommended amount of Quillivant XR
Call your doctor right away if you believe you’ve taken too much Quillivant XR. Another option is to call America’s Poison Centers at 800-222-1222 or use its online tool. If you have severe symptoms, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number, or go to the nearest emergency room.
Below are some frequently asked questions about Quillivant XR.
Is there a risk of misuse or addiction with Quillivant XR?
Quillivant XR has a
With misuse, a drug is taken or used in a way other than how it’s prescribed. With addiction, a drug is taken even though it’s causing harm.
Quillivant XR has a risk of misuse and addiction because it’s a central nervous system stimulant. The use of medications in this drug class may lead to severe heart problems, overdose, coma, and even death in rare cases.
Taking the drug more frequently than prescribed or at higher doses than prescribed increases the risk. To learn about Quillivant XR’s recommended dosages, see the “Quillivant XR dosage” section above.
Before prescribing Quillivant XR, your doctor will determine whether it’s safe for you to take. They may not prescribe Quillivant XR if you’ve ever had substance use disorder.
Talk with your doctor if you have questions about Quillivant XR and misuse.
Does stopping Quillivant XR cause withdrawal symptoms?
Treatment with Quillivant XR can cause dependence. With dependence, your body becomes used to a drug and needs it to function as usual. This means you may have withdrawal symptoms if you suddenly stop taking Quillivant XR after taking it regularly for some time. (Withdrawal symptoms are side effects that happen after you stop taking a drug your body has become dependent on.)
Symptoms of withdrawal after abruptly stopping Quillivant XR include:
- feeling extremely uneasy or dissatisfied
- depression
- fatigue
- sleeping too much or not enough
- increased appetite
- bad, vivid dreams
- racing or slowed thoughts or body movements
These symptoms can be very uncomfortable. However, they’re usually not life threatening.
You and your doctor will periodically reevaluate your need for Quillivant XR throughout your treatment. If a decision is made to stop your treatment, your doctor will slowly lower your dose over time. This is known as a dose taper. A dose taper helps reduce your risk of withdrawal symptoms when you stop treatment with Quillivant XR.
Tapering your Quillivant XR dose could last several weeks or even months. The exact time needed to taper your dose depends on your dose and how long you’ve taken it.
Do not stop taking Quillivant XR unless your doctor specifically tells you to do so. If you have questions about your treatment, talk with your doctor.
Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.