Jornay PM (methylphenidate) is a prescription drug that’s used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The drug comes as an oral capsule. It’s taken once daily in the evening.

Doctors prescribe Jornay PM to adults and some children for treatment of ADHD. Its active ingredient is methylphenidate. (An active ingredient is what makes a drug work.)

Jornay PM belongs to a group of drugs called stimulants. This article describes the dosages of Jornay PM, as well as its strengths and how to take it. To learn more about Jornay PM, see this in-depth article.

This section describes the usual dosages of Jornay PM. Keep reading to learn more.

What is Jornay PM’s form?

Jornay PM comes as an oral capsule that’s both delayed release and extended release.

  • Delayed release. After you take Jornay PM, the drug isn’t released into your body until it’s passed through the stomach (about 10 hours later).
  • Extended release. Jornay PM is released into your body over a long period of time. This allows the drug to work for most of the day.

What strengths does Jornay PM come in?

Jornay PM comes in five strengths:

  • 20 milligrams (mg)
  • 40 mg
  • 60 mg
  • 80 mg
  • 100 mg

What are the usual dosages of Jornay PM in adults?

Your doctor will likely start you on a low dosage and adjust it over time to reach the right amount for you. They’ll ultimately prescribe the smallest dosage that provides the desired effect.

The information below describes dosages that are commonly used or recommended. But be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. They’ll determine the best dosage to fit your needs.

Dosage for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

The usual starting dosage of Jornay PM for adults with ADHD is 20 mg, taken once daily in the evening.

Your doctor may increase your dose every week by 20 mg until you reach the dose that works for you. The maximum dosage of Jornay PM is 100 mg per evening.

What’s the dosage of Jornay PM for children?

Jornay PM is used to help treat ADHD in children ages 6 years and older.

The usual starting dosage of Jornay PM for children with ADHD is 20 mg, taken once daily in the evening.

Your child’s doctor may increase the dose every week by 20 mg until reaching the dose that works for your child. The maximum dosage of Jornay PM for children is 100 mg per evening.

For more information about Jornay PM’s dosage for children, talk with your child’s doctor.

Is Jornay PM used long term?

Yes, Jornay PM is usually used as a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that it’s safe and effective for your condition, you’ll likely take it long term.

The dosage of Jornay PM you’re prescribed may depend on:

  • how your body responds to the medication
  • whether you experience any side effects

You may swallow Jornay PM capsules whole. Or, if you prefer, you can open the Jornay PM capsule and sprinkle the pellets within onto a small amount of applesauce. Without chewing, swallow the applesauce and pellet mixture. You may want to drink a glass of water when you’re finished to make sure you swallow any pellets that may still be in your mouth.

When you first begin taking Jornay PM, your doctor will recommend that you take the drug in the evening between 6:30 PM and 9:30 PM. You’ll test different times within this range until you find the time that allows the drug to be active when it’s most helpful to you the following day. Once you determine the best time to take Jornay PM, try to take it at the same time every evening.

You can take Jornay with or without food. But it’s important to be consistent and either always take it with food or always take it without food. This is because food can affect how long it takes before Jornay PM begins to work.

For information on the expiration, storage, and disposal of Jornay PM, see this article or talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Accessible drug containers and labels

Some pharmacies provide medication labels that:

  • have large print
  • use braille
  • feature a code you can scan with a smartphone to change the text to audio

Your doctor or pharmacist may be able to recommend pharmacies that offer these accessibility features if your current pharmacy doesn’t.

Let your pharmacist know if you have trouble opening medication bottles. They may have tips to help, or they may be able to supply Jornay PM in an easy-open container.

If you miss a dose of Jornay PM, take it as soon as you remember the same evening. But if you only remember in the morning, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at its usual time. If you’re not sure whether you should take a missed dose, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

If you need help remembering to take your dose of Jornay PM on time, try using a medication reminder. This can include setting an alarm or downloading a reminder app on your phone.

Jornay PM has a boxed warning about the risk of misuse and dependence. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Jornay PM is a Schedule II controlled substance. A controlled substance is a drug the government regulates due to risks of misuse or dependence. With misuse, a drug is taken in a way other than how it was prescribed. Examples of misuse include using the drug more often or at higher doses than recommended by your doctor.

If you’ve taken a high dosage of Jornay PM for a long time, or if you’ve misused Jornay PM, you can develop dependence on the drug. With dependence, your body relies on the drug to function as usual.

If you’ve become dependent on Jornay PM and you suddenly lower your dose or stop taking it, you may experience withdrawal symptoms. Examples of withdrawal symptoms from Jornay PM include:

If you and your doctor decide to stop your Jornay PM treatment, your doctor will lower your dosage slowly over time. This can help reduce your risk of withdrawal symptoms.

If you have questions about the risk of dependence while taking Jornay PM or the potential for withdrawal symptoms if you stop taking it, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Jornay PM is a central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) stimulant. Do not take more Jornay PM than your doctor prescribes, as this can lead to harmful effects.

Symptoms of overdose

An overdose of Jornay PM causes excessive stimulation (activation) of your brain and spinal cord. Symptoms can include:

What to do in case you take too much Jornay PM

Call your doctor right away if you think you’ve takentoo much Jornay PM. You can also call 800-222-1222 to reach America’s Poison Centers or use its online resource. But if you have severe symptoms, immediately call 911 (or your local emergency number) or go to the nearest emergency room.

Below are answers to some commonly asked questions about Jornay PM’s dosage.

How long does it take for Jornay PM to start working?

Jornay PM starts working after your first dose. You’ll likely notice its effects as soon as the following day. It’s possible to experience some mild side effects while your body is adjusting to the drug. These often go away within the first couple of weeks. See this article for more information about Jornay PM’s side effects.

During your treatment, your doctor will continue to assess how well the drug is working for you. If you have questions about side effects or what to expect from your Jornay PM treatment, talk with your doctor.

Is Jornay PM’s dosage similar to the dosages of Concerta?

Jornay PM and Concerta share certain similarities. Jornay PM comes as a capsule that you’ll take once daily in the evening. Concerta comes as a tablet that you’ll take once daily in the morning.

Both drugs contain the active ingredient methylphenidate. (An active ingredient is what makes a drug work.) But the strength in milligrams and dosing guidelines for each drug differ. You can see the dosage details for Concerta in this article.

To learn more about how these drugs compare, talk with your doctor.

The sections above describe the usual dosages provided by the manufacturer. If your doctor recommends Jornay PM for you, they’ll prescribe the dosage that’s right for you.

Remember, you should not change your dosage of Jornay PM without your doctor’s recommendation. Only take Jornay PM exactly as prescribed. Talk with your doctor if you have questions or concerns about your current dosage.

Here are some examples of questions you may want to ask your doctor:

  • Will you adjust my child’s dosage of Jornay PM as they grow?
  • If I have side effects after starting on the 20 milligram (mg) capsule, can I take half a capsule of sprinkles each night instead?
  • How will I know if my dosage of Jornay PM is working for me?

To learn more about Jornay PM, see these articles:

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Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.