Methylphenidate News and Research

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Scientists reveal how psychostimulant drugs work to control hyperactivity

It has long been known that psychostimulant drugs have the paradoxical effect of reducing hyperactivity. [Psychostimulant drugs include methylphenidate - known by the trade names Ritalin, Concerta, and Methylin - and methamphetamine]. Since the mid-1950s, millions of children and adults have been prescribed stimulant medications to control attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

8 Feb 2012

Actavis commences distribution of Methylphenidate Hydrochloride Extended-Release Capsules

Actavis Group, an international generic pharmaceuticals company, today announced that it recently received approval from the US Food & Drug Administration to market Methylphenidate Hydrochloride Extended-Release Capsules (LA) CII, USP, 20mg, 30mg, and 40mg. Actavis has first-to-file exclusivity on the 20mg, 30mg, and 40mg strengths.

4 Jan 2012

Similar sounding drug names should come with warnings

There have been mix ups and medication errors with similar sounding names of drugs - eye drops called Durezol and salicylic acid-containing wart remedy Duresal for example.

1 Jan 2012

ADHD drugs not bad for the heart: Study

Drugs widely prescribed for attention disorders like Ritalin, Adderall and other drugs, did not increase the risk of serious heart problems in a major study published Monday. This could assure parents of children on these medications on heart-related safety of the medicines.

12 Dec 2011

ADHD drugs don’t raise risk for heart attacks or stroke: Study

Drugs known as stimulants, that are used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder do not increase the risk of heart attacks, strokes or sudden death, U.S. researchers said on Monday. This study finding should reassure millions of parents whose children take the drugs.

2 Nov 2011

Watson third quarter net income increases 31% to $138.7 million

Watson Pharmaceuticals, Inc. today reported net revenue of $1.1 billion for the third quarter ended September 30, 2011, an increase of 23 percent when compared to $882.4 million in the third quarter 2010. On a non-GAAP basis, net income for the third quarter 2011 increased 31 percent to $138.7 million or $1.09 per diluted share, compared to $105.9 million or $0.85 per diluted share in the third quarter 2010.

1 Nov 2011

Parent behavior training can effectively treat ADHD in young children

Formal training in parenting strategies is a low-risk, effective method for improving behavior in preschool-age children at risk for developing attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), while there is less evidence supporting the use of medications for children younger than 6 years old, according to a new report from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ).

27 Oct 2011

Specific dopamine system gene variants linked to ADHD medication response in children

Children with certain dopamine system gene variants have an improved response to methylphenidate - the most commonly prescribed medication for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder - in a finding that could help eliminate the guesswork from prescribing effective medications for children with ADHD.

22 Oct 2011

Watson confirms patent challenge of generic Daytrana

Watson Pharmaceuticals, Inc. today confirmed that its subsidiary, Watson Laboratories, Inc., filed an Abbreviated New Drug Application (ANDA) with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) seeking approval to market Methylphenidate Transdermal System, 10 mg/9 hrs, 15 mg/9 hrs, 20 mg/9 hrs, and 30 mg/9 hrs.

15 Oct 2011

Noven claims patent infringement over Daytrana, files lawsuit against Watson

Noven Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced today that it has filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court of New Jersey against Watson Pharmaceuticals for infringement of certain Noven patents by Watson.

14 Oct 2011

Stimulant prescription use for ADHD has increased steadily from 1996-2008

The prescribed use of stimulant medications to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) rose slowly but steadily from 1996 to 2008, according to a study conducted by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ). The study was published online ahead of print September 28, 2011, in the American Journal of Psychiatry.

28 Sep 2011

Methylphenidate drug may induce arousal from general anesthesia

Administration of the commonly used stimulant drug methylphenidate (Ritalin) was able to speed recovery from general anesthesia in an animal study conducted at Massachusetts General Hospital.

22 Sep 2011

Kremers Urban reaches settlement agreement with ALZA over Concerta patent litigation

Kremers Urban Pharmaceuticals Inc. is pleased to announce that it has reached a settlement dismissing all pending litigation arising from its Abbreviated New Drug Application (ANDA) to market an extended release methylphenidate hydrochloride product, for which Concerta is the reference listed drug product. The ANDA is currently under review with FDA.

14 Sep 2011

Amphetamines can control ADHD symptoms in adults

Giving amphetamines to adults with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) can help them control their symptoms, but the side effects mean that some people do not manage to take them for very long.

27 Jul 2011

Watson second quarter net revenue increases 24% to $1.1 billion

Watson Pharmaceuticals, Inc. today reported net revenue of $1.1 billion for the second quarter ended June 30, 2011, an increase of 24 percent when compared to $875.3 million in the second quarter 2010.

26 Jul 2011

Alza files patent infringement suit against Impax in connection with Concerta

Impax Laboratories, Inc. today confirms that Alza Corporation has filed suit for patent infringement against Impax in the United States District Court for the District of Delaware in connection with Concerta extended-release 18, 27 and 36 mg tablets.

7 May 2011

Watson introduces generic version of Concerta

Watson Pharmaceuticals, Inc. today confirmed that its subsidiary, Watson Laboratories, Inc., has launched an authorized generic version of Concerta as part of an exclusive agreement with Ortho-McNeil-Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

2 May 2011

Brain's reward/motivation circuits linked to compulsive overeating

A brain imaging study at the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Brookhaven National Laboratory reveals a subtle difference between ordinary obese subjects and those who compulsively overeat, or binge: In binge eaters but not ordinary obese subjects, the mere sight or smell of favorite foods triggers a spike in dopamine - a brain chemical linked to reward and motivation.

1 Mar 2011

Boys get greater rush and more energy from caffeine than girls

Results of a double-blind, placebo-controlled, dose-response study of the response of youth to caffeine found that, in general, boys get a greater rush and more energy from caffeine than girls.

18 Feb 2011

Ritalin may help improve brain function in children with iron deficiency

Ritalin may help improve brain function in adolescent rats that were iron deficient during infancy, according to a team of Penn State neuroscientists. This may have implications for iron-deficient human infants as well.

3 Feb 2011