Concerta vs. Jornay PM

See how Concerta and Jornay PM compare on approved uses, dosing, side effects, and cost.

Key Takeaways

  • Both Concerta and Jornay PM are extended-release methylphenidate stimulants for ADHD, but they're taken at opposite times of day.

  • Concerta is taken each morning for daytime coverage, while Jornay PM is taken in the evening so it starts working by the time a patient wakes up.

  • Jornay PM reports a much higher rate of insomnia (up to 41%) than Concerta (up to 5%), which matters for patients who already struggle with sleep.

Concerta vs. Jornay PM Drug Summary

Concerta

Concerta is a CNS stimulant, an extended-release form of methylphenidate, used to treat ADHD in patients ages 6 to 65. It's taken once daily in the morning as a tablet that must be swallowed whole, using an osmotic delivery system that releases medication over about 12 hours.

Jornay PM

Jornay PM is also an extended-release methylphenidate, but it's taken once daily in the evening instead of the morning. Its delayed-release capsule holds off releasing medication until the next morning, so ADHD symptoms are already under control when a patient wakes up.

Concerta vs. Jornay PM Side Effects

Concerta

Most common
Headache (up to 5%)
Insomnia (up to 5%)
Decreased appetite (up to 5%)
Nausea (up to 5%)

Jornay PM

Most common
Headache (up to 19%)
Insomnia (up to 41%)
Decreased appetite (up to 27%)
Nausea or vomiting (up to 9%)

Concerta vs. Jornay PM Dosage

Concerta

Dosage
Dosage Table
STAGE DOSE WHEN
Starting dose 18 mg once daily At the start
Maximum dose 72 mg once daily If needed
Dose changes 4 increases As tolerated

Jornay PM

Dosage
Dosage Table
STAGE DOSE WHEN
Starting dose 20 mg once daily At the start
Maximum dose 100 mg once daily If needed
Dose changes 4 increases As tolerated

Concerta vs. Jornay PM Indications

Concerta

Concerta is FDA-approved to treat ADHD in patients ages 6 to 65. It's also used off-label for narcolepsy, though it does not carry FDA approval for that use.

  • ADHD in patients ages 6 to 65 (FDA-approved)

  • Off-label use for narcolepsy

  • Not approved for children under 6

  • Not approved for adults over 65

Jornay PM

Jornay PM is FDA-approved to treat ADHD in patients ages 6 and older, with no upper age limit specified on the label. It is not approved for narcolepsy or for children younger than 6.

  • ADHD in patients ages 6 and up (FDA-approved)

  • Not approved for narcolepsy

  • Not approved for children under 6

  • No off-label uses noted on the label

Concerta vs. Jornay PM Pros and Cons

Concerta

Concerta has over two decades of clinical use and is approved for a wider age range than Jornay PM, from young children to older adults. As an older stimulant, it's also available in generic form, which can make it more accessible for some patients.

Pros

  • Approved for ages 6 to 65, a wider range than Jornay PM

  • Available in generic form, unlike Jornay PM

  • Long track record since FDA approval in 2000

  • Once-daily morning dosing fits a traditional routine

Cons

  • Tablet must be swallowed whole and can't be crushed or split

  • Effects wear off by evening, with no built-in next-day coverage

  • Not approved for use in adults over 65

Jornay PM

Jornay PM is the only methylphenidate designed for evening dosing, using delayed-release technology to control symptoms right as a patient wakes up. This can help with tough morning routines, but it also comes with a notably higher rate of reported insomnia than Concerta.

Pros

  • Evening dosing controls symptoms from the moment of waking

  • Designed for tough morning routines and early symptom control

  • No maximum age limit specified in FDA labeling

  • Delayed-release bead technology unique among methylphenidate products

Cons

  • Reported insomnia occurs in up to 41% of patients

  • Not approved for narcolepsy, unlike Concerta

  • No generic version currently available

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