Methylphenidate CD is an extended-release capsule form of methylphenidate, a stimulant medication used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The “CD” stands for “controlled delivery,” referring to the capsule’s two-phase release system that provides medication throughout the day from a single morning dose. It’s sold under the brand name Metadate CD and is FDA-approved for children and adolescents ages 6 to 15.
How the Controlled Delivery System Works
Each Metadate CD capsule contains two types of tiny beads. About 30% of the beads dissolve right away, releasing an immediate dose of methylphenidate within the first hour or so. The remaining 70% are coated to resist dissolving until later, releasing the rest of the medication hours afterward. This 30/70 split is designed to mimic what you’d get from taking two separate doses of short-acting methylphenidate, one in the morning and one around midday, without actually needing a second pill.
The result is a treatment effect that covers both morning and afternoon from a single dose taken before or with breakfast. Clinical trials confirmed that Metadate CD outperformed placebo during both time periods.
Available Strengths
Metadate CD comes in six capsule strengths. The immediate-release (IR) and extended-release (ER) portions break down as follows:
- 10 mg: 3 mg immediate, 7 mg extended
- 20 mg: 6 mg immediate, 14 mg extended
- 30 mg: 9 mg immediate, 21 mg extended
- 40 mg: 12 mg immediate, 28 mg extended
- 50 mg: 15 mg immediate, 35 mg extended
- 60 mg: 18 mg immediate, 42 mg extended
Regardless of the total dose, that 30/70 ratio stays consistent across all strengths.
How to Take It
The capsules can be swallowed whole with water or another liquid. For people who have trouble swallowing pills, the capsule can be opened and the contents sprinkled onto about a tablespoon of applesauce, then swallowed immediately. The key rule: do not crush or chew the beads. Chewing would break the extended-release coating and dump the full dose at once, which defeats the purpose and increases the risk of side effects. Follow the applesauce mixture with a drink of water, and don’t save the mixture for later.
How It Compares to Other Extended-Release Options
Methylphenidate CD is one of several long-acting methylphenidate formulations on the market, and the differences come down to how they release medication over time. Concerta uses an osmotic pump system that pushes the drug out gradually. Ritalin LA splits the dose 50/50 between immediate and delayed beads, compared to Metadate CD’s 30/70 split. All of these formulations offer once-daily dosing and maintain symptom control through the school day, but their peak levels and how quickly those peaks rise and fall differ from one another.
The practical takeaway: the 30/70 design of Metadate CD delivers a slightly smaller initial burst and a larger sustained release compared to a 50/50 formulation like Ritalin LA. This can matter if someone needs stronger coverage in the afternoon or experiences too intense a peak in the first hour with other formulations.
Common Side Effects
The side effect profile for methylphenidate CD is the same as for other methylphenidate products. The most frequently reported issues include loss of appetite and weight loss, trouble falling or staying asleep, stomach pain or nausea, headache, nervousness or irritability, and dry mouth. Many of these are dose-related, meaning they tend to improve if the dose is lowered.
Less common but more serious reactions include fast or irregular heartbeat, chest pain, shortness of breath, and mood changes such as new or worsening depression, agitation, or hallucinations. Circulation problems in the fingers and toes, signaled by numbness, color changes, or unusual cold sensitivity, are another possibility that warrants prompt medical attention. Motor or verbal tics can also emerge or worsen.
Growth Monitoring in Children
The FDA’s most recent label update in September 2025 reinforced warnings about growth suppression in pediatric patients. Stimulant medications as a class are associated with weight loss and slower growth in height. Children and adolescents taking Metadate CD should have their height and weight tracked regularly. If a child isn’t growing or gaining weight as expected, a treatment break may be considered to let growth catch up. The medication is not approved or recommended for children under 6.
Habit-Forming Potential
Methylphenidate is a Schedule II controlled substance, which means it carries a recognized risk for dependence. Taking more than prescribed, taking it more frequently, or using it in ways other than directed (such as crushing the beads to snort them) significantly increases the risk of misuse and overdose. When taken as prescribed at therapeutic doses, the risk is considerably lower, but it’s still classified as a medication with abuse potential.