Quillivant is available in pharmacies, however, there continue to be some manufacturing problems. The Quillivant that is available may not dissolve properly and has the potential to be less effective than properly manufactured Quillivant.
These medications are popular among younger patients due to their ease of administration. Quillivant additionally is one of the most easy ADHD medications to titrate due to its being available as a liquid and so it is not easily replaced.
For those patients who are using Quillivant because of being unable to swallow pills, there are a number of other long acting medications which could be used. Focalin XR (capsules can be sprinkled on food, and drug (dexamethylphenidate, same class as methylphenidate) is available as a generic) Quillichew (chewable tablet, also methylphendiate) and Cotempla-XR-ODT (orally dissolving tablet, also methylphenidate) are the most similar to Quillivant.
For those patients who are on Quillivant due to difficulty coming to a correct dosage of methylphenidate, the issue becomes more difficult. Focalin XR can be titrated, but not very exactly. It's smallest pill size is 5mg and could potentially be split it to half that amount by opening the capsule and dividing up the beads. Any more division would probably make the dosing fairly imprecise. Quillichew 20mg and 30mg are scored for easier division and titration. Cotempla-XR is not made to be divided. These patients may find that staying with Quillivant, despite the manufacturing issues, may be the only workable alternative.
Patients switching medications should consult their doctor about appropriate dosing. In addition, they should plan on frequent follow up just as when they were first starting their first medication.
For those patients who are using Quillivant because of being unable to swallow pills, there are a number of other long acting medications which could be used. Focalin XR (capsules can be sprinkled on food, and drug (dexamethylphenidate, same class as methylphenidate) is available as a generic) Quillichew (chewable tablet, also methylphendiate) and Cotempla-XR-ODT (orally dissolving tablet, also methylphenidate) are the most similar to Quillivant.
For those patients who are on Quillivant due to difficulty coming to a correct dosage of methylphenidate, the issue becomes more difficult. Focalin XR can be titrated, but not very exactly. It's smallest pill size is 5mg and could potentially be split it to half that amount by opening the capsule and dividing up the beads. Any more division would probably make the dosing fairly imprecise. Quillichew 20mg and 30mg are scored for easier division and titration. Cotempla-XR is not made to be divided. These patients may find that staying with Quillivant, despite the manufacturing issues, may be the only workable alternative.
Patients switching medications should consult their doctor about appropriate dosing. In addition, they should plan on frequent follow up just as when they were first starting their first medication.
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