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
Jornay PM
Concerta vs. Jornay PM Dosage
Concerta
Jornay PM
| 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 |
| 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
| 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
| 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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