QuilliChew ER: Dosage, Side Effects, and ADHD Treatment
QuilliChew ER is a medication prescribed for the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). It comes as an extended‑release chewable tablet that releases the medicine in your body throughout the day.
The active ingredient in Quillichew ER is a drug called methylphenidate hydrochloride, which is a central nervous system (CNS) stimulant.
Note: QuilliChew ER is a Schedule II controlled substance that has a high potential for abuse and misuse, which can lead to development of a substance use disorder, including addiction. For this reason, it has a boxed warning.
A boxed warning is the strongest warning required by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). It alerts doctors and patients about drug effects that may be dangerous.
For more details about Quillichew ER’s boxed warning and other risks associated with this medication, talk with your doctor.
QuilliChew ER is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of ADHD in adults and children ages 6 years and older.
Prescribing QuilliChew ER includes careful assessment of the patient’s psychiatric history, risk for stimulant abuse and cardiac disease, and other contraindications. Also, risks should be reassessed frequently during treatment.
The recommended dosage of QuilliChew ER for treatment of ADHD is the same for adults and for children ages 6 years and older.
The following dosage information is provided by the drug manufacturer. Doctors may modify these dosage recommendations based on individual patient needs.
If adverse reactions or worsening of ADHD symptoms occur during treatment, your doctor may reduce your (or your child’s) QuilliChew ER dosage or discontinue treatment and recommend a different medication.
Doctors may also choose to discontinue ADHD treatment with QuilliChew ER if significant symptoms remain longer than 4 weeks following appropriate dose adjustment(s).
Chew the tablet and swallow. QuilliChew ER may be taken with or without food.
If you or your child miss a dose of QuilliChew ER, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about when and how to resume taking it. Never “double up” doses of QuilliChew ER (take two doses at once to make up for a missed dose). Doing so could potentially lead to overdose symptoms.
Based on accumulated data from medications containing methylphenidate (the active ingredient in QuilliChew ER), the most common adverse reactions in clinical trials of these drugs included:
These side effects occurred in at least 5% of participants in clinical studies and at least twice the rate of the same side effects experienced by those taking a placebo medication.
This list does not include all reported side effects of methylphenidate medications like QuilliChew ER. For more details, see QuilliChew ER’s prescribing information.
Do not take QuilliChew ER if you have a known allergy to methylphenidate or any component of the medication. Serious reported reactions with other methylphenidate products include angioedema and anaphylaxis.
Also, do not take QuilliChew ER if you are taking a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) or have taken an MAOI medication within the preceding 14 days. Doing so could possibly cause a very serious high blood pressure condition called a hypertensive crisis.
For more information about precautions and risks with QuilliChew ER, talk with your doctor.
For more information about potential interactions between QuilliChew ER and medications you are currently taking, talk with your doctor.
It is not known whether it is safe to take QuilliChew ER during a pregnancy or if the drug has the potential to cause harm to an unborn baby.
It is also not known whether taking QuilliChew ER while breastfeeding poses any risks to the breastfed child. As a safety precaution, however, the drug’s prescribing information recommends that breastfed infants be monitored for adverse reactions such as agitation, insomnia, lack of desire for food, and reduced weight gain if the breastfeeding mother is taking QuilliChew ER.
As with all medications, the cost of QuilliChew ER can vary. What you will pay for QuilliChew ER may depend on several things, including your ADHD treatment plan and the pharmacy you choose.
No. It is intended for morning dosing because stimulants can cause insomnia and other adverse effects. Dosing later in the day is not recommended.
No. It is intended for morning dosing because stimulants can cause insomnia and other adverse effects. Dosing later in the day is not recommended.
The 20 mg and 30 mg tablets are scored (they have a linear groove that bisects the surface of the pill) and can be halved to achieve 10 mg or 15 mg doses. The 40 mg tablet is not scored and should not be split.
The 20 mg and 30 mg tablets are scored (they have a linear groove that bisects the surface of the pill) and can be halved to achieve 10 mg or 15 mg doses. The 40 mg tablet is not scored and should not be split.
No. Different formulations of methylphenidate have different release profiles and active ingredient compositions. Do not substitute QuilliChew ER with Ritalin or other medications that contain methylphenidate.
No. Different formulations of methylphenidate have different release profiles and active ingredient compositions. Do not substitute QuilliChew ER with Ritalin or other medications that contain methylphenidate.
Misuse and abuse, especially by higher doses or using QuilliChew ER in non‑prescribed ways, such as crushing the tablet and snorting or injecting it, can lead to overdose and death.
Recognize the signs and symptoms of stimulant overdose (e.g., agitation, hallucinations, tachycardia, hyperthermia, seizures) and seek emergency care if they occur.
Do not take more QuilliChew ER than your doctor recommends. Doing so may lead to unwanted side effects or overdose.
If you think you’ve taken too much QuilliChew ER, call your doctor. You can also call America’s Poison Centers at 800-222-1222 or use its online tool. However, if your symptoms are severe, call 911 or your local emergency number or go to the nearest emergency room right away.
Misuse and abuse, especially by higher doses or using QuilliChew ER in non‑prescribed ways, such as crushing the tablet and snorting or injecting it, can lead to overdose and death.
For additional in-depth information about many of the topics discussed in this article, see the latest official QuilliChew ER prescribing information.
QuilliChew ER is a prescription, extended-release chewable tablet used to treat ADHD in adults and children ages 6 years and older. Because it contains the stimulant methylphenidate, it carries an FDA boxed warning due to a high risk for addiction, misuse, and potential overdose. The typical starting dose of QuilliChew ER is 20 mg per day, taken in the morning with or without food. Dosage may be adjusted by a doctor to optimize ADHD symptom relief.
While taking QuilliChew ER, it is important to monitor for side effects like decreased appetite, insomnia, and increased heart rate, as well as more serious problems involving heart health or mental health changes. To ensure safety, QuilliChew ER should never be shared, doubled up after a missed dose, or mixed with certain other medications like MAOIs.
Disclaimer: While Medical News Today strives for factual, comprehensive, and current information, this article is not a substitute for a licensed healthcare professional’s expertise. Always consult a doctor before taking or discontinuing any medication. Drug information is subject to change and may not cover all uses, directions, precautions, warnings, interactions, reactions, or adverse effects. The lack of a warning does not guarantee a drug’s safety, effectiveness, or appropriateness for all patients or specific uses. Learn more about our approach to content integrity.