Dose Proportionality and Steady-State Pharmacokinetics of Serdexmethylphenidate/Dexmethylphenidate, a Novel Prodrug Combination to Treat Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

OBJECTIVE: The study was designed to determine (1) the pharmacokinetic (PK) profile of dexmethylphenidate (d-MPH) after oral administration of three dosage strengths of a new treatment containing d-MPH and a novel prodrug, serdexmethylphenidate (SDX); (2) the dose proportionality of the different SDX/d-MPH dosages; and (3) the steady-state PK profile of d-MPH and SDX after multiple dosing of SDX/d-MPH. METHODS: Twenty-three healthy volunteers (aged 18–55 years) under fasted conditions received in a crossover design SDX/d-MPH 26.1/5.2 mg (Treatment A), 39.2/7.8 mg (Treatment B), and 52.3/10.4 mg (Treatment C) for a total d-MPH hydrochloride equivalent dose of 20, 30, and 40 mg, respectively. After a 96-hour washout period, all participants received four consecutive daily doses of SDX/d-MPH 52.3/10.4 mg. Blood samples were collected for measurement of plasma d-MPH and SDX and for PK analysis. RESULTS: Administration of all three doses of SDX/d-MPH resulted in a rapid rise and slow decline in the plasma concentration of d-MPH. For Treatments A, B, and C, mean (± standard deviation) maximum concentrations (C(max)) were 7.1 ± 2.1, 9.8 ± 2.8, and 13.8 ± 3.8 ng/mL, and overall exposures (AUC(0−last)) were 97.2 ± 28.8, 142.5 ± 41.2, and 199.8 ± 57.2 h*ng/mL, respectively. Dose-normalized C(max), AUC(0–last), and AUC(0–inf) for d-MPH were similar when comparing the high and low doses versus the middle dose. Power model regression analysis revealed that C(max) and AUC(0–inf) proportionally increased with an increase in SDX/d-MPH dose. In the multiple-dose study, d-MPH reached steady state before the third dose, and SDX after the first dose. CONCLUSION: The PK profile of SDX/d-MPH is characterized by a rapid rise and a gradual decline in d-MPH concentration, with proportional C(max) and AUC(0–inf) across doses. The PK attributes of SDX/d-MPH may optimize symptom control from early morning to early evening, while the demonstrated dose proportionality may facilitate initial dose titration and ongoing dose adjustment.