TheraRadar
Data updated: May 26, 2026

METHYLPHENIDATE

CNS Approved 2020-06-19

METHYLPHENIDATE is indicated for the treatment of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.

Source: FDA Label • Viatris • Central Nervous System Stimulant

How METHYLPHENIDATE Works

Methylphenidate is a central nervous system (CNS) stimulant. The exact mechanism of therapeutic action in the treatment of ADHD has not been fully established.

Source: FDA Label
2
Indications
--
Phase 3 Trials
5
Years on Market

Details

Status
Prescription
First Approved
2020-06-19
PDUFA Date
2026-05-31 (5d)
Routes
TRANSDERMAL, ORAL
Dosage Forms
FILM, EXTENDED RELEASE, TABLET, ORALLY DISINTEGRATING, EXTENDED RELEASE

Companies

Active Ingredient: METHYLPHENIDATE

METHYLPHENIDATE Approval History

2021
2022
2023
2024
2025
2026
Original
New Indication
New Form
Label Update
11 FDA actions from 2020 to 2024
Aug 2024 SUPPL
Label · Labeling
Mar 2022 ORIGINAL
Update
Jun 2020 ORIGINAL
Update

What METHYLPHENIDATE Treats

1 indications

METHYLPHENIDATE is approved for 1 conditions since its original approval in 2020. These indications span multiple therapeutic areas including oncology, immunology, and more.

  • Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
Source: FDA Label

METHYLPHENIDATE Boxed Warning

ABUSE, MISUSE, AND ADDICTION Methylphenidate transdermal system has a high potential for abuse and misuse, which can lead to the development of substance use disorder, including addiction. Misuse and abuse of CNS stimulants, including methylphenidate transdermal system, can result in overdose and death [see Overdosage (10) ] , and this risk is increased with higher doses or unapproved methods of administration, such as snorting or injection. Before prescribing methylphenidate transdermal system,...

METHYLPHENIDATE Competitive Set

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Filters applied: drops same-active-ingredient (505(b)(2) reformulations), route-mismatch (topical vs systemic), and cross-therapeutic-area matches in same-indication rings.

Drugs Similar to METHYLPHENIDATE

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Clinical Trial Registry

78 trials
Trial Sponsor ID Phase Status Title
NCT07314333 405-201-00198 Ph 1 completed A Trial to Assess How Centanafadine Interacts With Stimulants in the Body
NCT03772834 2018-0559 NCI-2018-02527, 2018-0559 Ph 2, Ph 3 active not recruiting Methylphenidate and Exercise in Reducing Cancer-Related Fatigue in Patients With Prostate Cancer
NCT04419272 NURD-003-22S CX002474 Ph 4 recruiting Methylphenidate for the Treatment of Epilepsy-related Cognitive Deficits
NCT03525873 2017-0913 NCI-2018-00698, 2017-0913 Ph 3 active not recruiting A Study of Cancer Related Fatigue in Patients With Metastatic Cancer Receiving Anti-PD1 Immunotherapy
NCT01410942 2011-0389 RSG-11-170-01-PCSM, NCI-2011-02764 Ph 2 active not recruiting Multimodal Therapy for the Treatment of Fatigue in Patients With Prostate Cancer Receiving Radiotherapy With Androgen Deprivation Therapy
NCT07301632 EASEPain EASE Pain P-006 Ph 2 recruiting Ecstasy to Alleviate SEvere Chronic Neuropathic Pain Trial
NCT03652740 results posted IRB00165287 R01DA003890 Ph 1 completed Effects of Commonly Used Medications on Mood and Choice
NCT05776056 IMPACT MHBP-006-22S CX002546 Ph 4 recruiting Methylphenidate for the Treatment of PTSD With Associated Neurocognitive Complaints
NCT03280251 PACTE-1 2015_81 2016-005131-32 Ph 2 completed Methylphenidate and Cognitive Training in Elderly
NCT06081179 2A-SC-1 Ph 1 completed Does Serotonin System Stimulation Increase Pro-social Behavior? - A Comparative Pharmacological Neuroscientific Study in Healthy Humans
NCT05474846 2022-0180 NCI-2022-06045 Ph 2, Ph 3 recruiting Combination Therapy for Treatment of Sleep Disturbance in Patients With Advanced Cancer
NCT03814356 STIMPACT results posted 140675 DP2HD101400 Ph 1 active not recruiting Stimulant Therapy Targeted to Individualized Connectivity Maps to Promote ReACTivation of Consciousness
NCT04781972 IRB00276357 Ph 4 recruiting Multimodal Brain Imaging of the Neural Effects of Methylphenidate in Patients With ADHD
NCT06355414 IRB00385932 R33AT012317 Ph 1 recruiting Psilocybin in Chronic Low Back Pain and Depression
NCT06580041 24-41815 Ph 4 enrolling by invitation Precision Care for Major Depressive Disorder
NCT04885257 results posted MHBP-011-20F IK2CX002104 Ph 1, Ph 2 completed Methylphenidate for Ptsd and Stroke Veterans
NCT04421248 AMPAIII CHMC IRB 2020-0297 Ph 4 recruiting Biomarker Validation in Motor System Physiology in Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
NCT03575403 BED[IN]:36 results posted 44796 R01AA026255 Ph 1 completed Behavioral Effects of Drugs: Inpatient (36) (Alcohol, Duloxetine, and Methylphenidate)
NCT05133804 LH9/2019 Ph 2 recruiting Efficacy of Reboxetine and Methylphenidate Treatment on Attentional, Sensory and Emotional Dysregulation in Adults With PTSD
NCT05285683 STUDY00006948 Ph 2 recruiting The Role of Brain Dopamine in Chronic Pain
NCT05957055 LAMAinDiab LAMA/2021/1 2022-001906-24, 2021/ABM/02/00006/P/03 Ph 2 recruiting Lisdexamphetamine Vs Methylphenidate for Pediatric Patients with ADHD and Type 1 Diabetes
NCT00792662 0470-08-FB Ph 4 withdrawn Improving Function, Quality of Life, Glycemia in Diabetics With Dementia
NCT03781752 GCO 17-0281 1R01HD093612-01A1 Ph 4 recruiting Carboxylesterase 1 Genetic Variation and Methylphenidate in ADHD
NCT03781765 MPH-ATX GCO 17-0423 1R21DA045218-01A1 Ph 4 recruiting Stimulant vs. Non-stimulant Treatments and Reward Processing in Drug-naive Youth at SUD Risk
NCT04273880 H13-00286 5R01DA037285-05 Ph 1 recruiting Differences by Sex and Genotype in the Effects of Stress on Executive Functions
NCT05669924 STU00213557 Ph 2 completed Neural Correlates of Acute Pain Dynamics
NCT06077669 IRB00408678 Ph 4 withdrawn Multimodal Brain Imaging of Methylphenidate in Children and Adolescents With ADHD
NCT00754208 results posted 0380-08-FB Ph 4 completed Long Acting Stimulant Treatment of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in Young Children
NCT02346201 ADMET2 results posted ADMET2 R01AG046543 Ph 3 completed Apathy in Dementia Methylphenidate Trial 2
NCT02477280 2015-03-10/11 2014-001488-11 Ph 4 completed Effects of Expectation, Medication and Placebo on Objective and Self-rated Performance
NCT02153944 results posted 140114 14-M-0114 Ph 4 completed Cognitive vs. Emotional Psychopharmacological Manipulations of Fear vs. Anxiety
NCT02502799 results posted DA034731 Ph 3 terminated Intervention for Teens With ADHD and Substance Use
NCT01978431 1001006250 R25MH071584 Ph 1 completed Impulsivity and Stimulant Administration
NCT04178993 results posted BED(IN):40 R01DA047391 Ph 1 completed Behavioral Effects of Drugs (Inpatient): 40 [Methamphetamine, Methylphenidate, Duloxetine]
NCT05669170 MAV-PD CX002673-01 Ph 2 not yet recruiting Methylphenidate for Apathy in Veterans With Parkinson's Disease
NCT03481959 METHACAN P140313 Ph 3 terminated Effectiveness of Methylphenidate Late Formula to Reduce Cannabis Use in Young Cannabis-Related Patients and Attention Deficit Disorder Hyperactivity
NCT02700685 Pycno 2015-14 Ph 3 completed Effect of Pycnogenol® on ADHD
NCT04349917 results posted 16-0112 R00MH102349 Ph 4 completed Large-scale Brain Organization During Cognitive Control in ADHD
NCT03185065 TRIUMPHANT-MS results posted IRB00119702 Ph 3 completed Treatment of Fatigue With Methylphenidate, Modafinil and Amantadine in Multiple Sclerosis
NCT02807870 466859/2014-7 Ph 4 completed Early Interventions in Children With Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
NCT02039908 results posted MH099030 Ph 4 completed Examining Tolerance to CNS Stimulants in ADHD
NCT01933217 results posted 1K23HD074683-01A1 Ph 4 completed Methylphenidate for Attention Problems After Pediatric TBI
NCT02063945 SHEBA-13-0564-DG-CTIL Ph 4 terminated Methylphenidate vs. Risperidone for the Treatment of Children and Adolescents With ADHD and Disruptive Disorders
NCT02225106 DAPET-TBI results posted 140169 14-N-0169 Ph 2 completed Dopamine Receptor Imaging to Predict Response to Stimulant Therapy in Chronic TBI
NCT02051452 results posted 2013P001114 Ph 1, Ph 2 completed Reversal of General Anesthesia With Methylphenidate
NCT01164956 results posted 10-146 Ph 1 terminated Methylphenidate for Cancer-Related Fatigue
NCT02227056 loe130007ctil Ph 2 completed Effect of Methylphenidate on Ecologic Function in Paediatric Acquired Brain Injury Population
NCT02148783 402693-1 HJF grant Ph 2 terminated Dopamine Receptor Imaging to Predict Response to Stimulant Therapy in Chronic TBI
NCT02675400 Fathers Too Ph 4 completed Treatments for Fathers With ADHD and Their At-Risk Children (Fathers Too)
NCT02473185 2015-03-10/53 2014-005045-53 Ph 4 completed Effects of Expectation, Medication and Placebo on Objective and Self-rated Performance During the QbTest

Showing 50 of 78 trials

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Active Pipeline

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Key Completed Trials

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Completed studies with published results, ranked by significance

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Trial Timeline

Full development history with FDA approval milestones

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Understanding FDA Approval Types
Count Type What it means
- ORIG Original approval - drug first enters market
- SUPPL - Efficacy New indication (new disease/condition approved)
- SUPPL - Labeling Label text changes (warnings, dosing updates)
- SUPPL - Manufacturing Production changes (new facility)
- SUPPL - Chemistry Formulation changes (new dosage strength)

Green lines in the timeline show ORIG and Efficacy approvals - the clinically meaningful milestones.

METHYLPHENIDATE FDA Label Details

Indications & Usage

METHYLPHENIDATE is indicated for the treatment of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.

⚠️ BOXED WARNING

WARNING: ABUSE, MISUSE, AND ADDICTION Methylphenidate transdermal system has a high potential for abuse and misuse, which can lead to the development of substance use disorder, including addiction. Misuse and abuse of CNS stimulants, including methylphenidate transdermal system, can result in overdo...

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Data Sources

Data sourced from official FDA and NIH databases. Click links to verify on original sources.