MedlinePlus Drug Information: Methylphenidate

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Methylphenidate

(meth il fen' i date)

Brand name(s): Concerta; Metadate CD; Metadate ER; Methylin; Methylin ER; Ritalin; Ritalin-SR

Contents of this page:
Why is this medication prescribed? How should this medicine be used? Other uses for this medicine What special precautions should I follow? What should I do if I forget a dose?	What side effects can this medication cause? What storage conditions are needed for this medicine? In case of emergency/overdose What other information should I know?

IMPORTANT WARNING:

Methylphenidate can be habit-forming. Do not take a larger dose, take it more often, or for longer than your doctor tells you to. Tell your doctor if you have ever abused or been dependent on alcohol or drugs.

Why is this medication prescribed?

Methylphenidate is used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Methylphenidate (Ritalin, Ritalin-SR) is also used to treat narcolepsy (uncontrolled desire for, or attacks of, sleep). Methylphenidate is in a class of medications called central nervous system (CNS) stimulants. It works by changing the amounts of certain natural substances in the brain.

How should this medicine be used?

Methylphenidate comes as a tablet, an extended- or sustained-release (long-acting) tablet, and an extended-release capsule to take by mouth. The regular tablet and the extended-release tablet (Metadate ER, Methylin ER, Ritalin-SR) are usually taken two or three times a day, preferably 30-45 minutes before meals. The last dose of the day should be taken at least several hours before bedtime because the drug can cause sleeplessness. The extended-release tablet (Concerta) usually is taken once a day, in the morning, with or without food. The extended-release capsule usually is taken once a day, in the morning, before breakfast.

Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take methylphenidate exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.

Swallow the extended-release tablets and capsules whole; do not split, chew, or crush them.

Your doctor may start you on a low dose of methylphenidate and gradually increase your dose.

Continue to take methylphenidate even if you feel well. Do not stop taking methylphenidate without talking to your doctor, especially if you have taken large doses for a long time. Your doctor probably will decrease your dose gradually. This drug must be taken regularly for a few weeks before its full effect is felt.

Other uses for this medicine

Methylphenidate also is used sometimes to treat depression in elderly patients and in patients who have cancer, brain injury, or human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or have had a stroke. Talk to your doctor about the possible risks of using this drug for your condition.

This medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

What special precautions should I follow?

Before taking methylphenidate,

tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to methylphenidate or any other drugs.
tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications you are taking, especially MAO inhibitors such as phenelzine (Nardil) or tranylcypromine (Parnate), even if you stopped taking them in the last 2 weeks; anticoagulants (blood thinners) such as warfarin (Coumadin); medications for depression such as amitriptyline (Elavil), impramine (Tofranil), and desipramine (Norpramin); guanethidine (Ismelin); medications for epilepsy such as phenobarbital, phenytoin (Dilantin), and primidone(Mysoline); and vitamins.
tell your doctor if you have or have ever had severe anxiety, tension, or agitation; glaucoma; motor tics or spasms; a history or family history of Tourette's syndrome; seizures; high blood pressure; or mental illness.
tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking methylphenidate, call your doctor.
if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking methylphenidate.
you should know that this drug may make you drowsy. Do not drive a car or operate machinery until you know how this drug affects you.
remember that alcohol can add to the drowsiness caused by this drug.

What should I do if I forget a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember it and take any remaining doses for that day at evenly spaced intervals, but do not take a dose at or near bedtime. However, if you remember a missed dose when it is almost time for your next scheduled dose, skip the missed dose. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.

What side effects can this medication cause?

Although side effects from methylphenidate are not common, they can occur. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

nervousness
difficulty falling alseep or staying asleep
dizziness
drowsiness
upset stomach
vomiting
headache
loss of appetite

If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately:

seizures or convulsions
blurred vision
agitation
skin rash
heart palpitations or irregular heartbeat
fever
sore throat
unusual bleeding or bruising

What storage conditions are needed for this medicine?

Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature, away from light and excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). Throw away any medication that is outdated or no longer needed. Talk to your pharmacist about the proper disposal of your medication.

In case of emergency/overdose

In case of overdose, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call local emergency services at 911.

What other information should I know?

Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor will order certain lab tests to check your response to methylphenidate.

Do not let anyone else take your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription.

Last Revised - 01/01/2003

American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. Disclaimer