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Methylphenidate
What is it? Overview Usage Side Effects and Warnings
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Methylphenidate Overview

Written by FoundHealth, Molly Hartle.

(meth il FEN i date)

U.S. Brand Names

Concerta®; Daytrana™; Metadate CD®; Metadate® ER; Methylin®; Methylin® ER; Ritalin LA®; Ritalin-SR®; Ritalin®

Canadian Brand Names

Apo-Methylphenidate®; Apo-Methylphenidate® SR; Biphentin®; Concerta®; Novo-Methylphenidate ER-C; PHL-Methylphenidate; PMS-Methylphenidate; ratio-Methylphenidate; Ritalin®; Ritalin® SR; Sandoz-Methylphenidate SR

Mexican Brand Names

Concerta; Ritalin; Tradea

Pharmacologic Category

Central Nervous System Stimulant

What key warnings should I know about before taking this medicine?

• This medicine may be habit-forming; avoid long-term use. Tell healthcare provider if you have a history of drug or alcohol abuse. May cause serious heart-related side effects. Tell healthcare provider if you have any heart disease.

• This medicine does not mix well with many medicines. Serious reactions may occur. Check all medicines with healthcare provider.

• Please read the medication guide.

Reasons not to take this medicine

• If you have an allergy to methylphenidate or any other part of this medicine.

• Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat; or any other symptoms involved.

• If you have any of the following conditions: Drug abuse, fast heartbeat, glaucoma, heart disease, nervous condition, structural abnormalities of the heart, tics, or Tourette's syndrome.

• If you have small bowel disease, short gut syndrome, peritonitis, cystic fibrosis, chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction, or Meckel's diverticulum, talk with healthcare provider. You should not take Concerta®.

• If you have chest pain, overactive thyroid gland, recent heart attack, uncontrolled high blood pressure, or weakened heart, talk with healthcare provider. You should not take Metadate®.

• If you have taken isocarboxazid, phenelzine, or tranylcypromine in the last 14 days. Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (eg, isocarboxazid, phenelzine, and tranylcypromine) must be stopped 14 days before this medicine is started. Taking the two together could cause dangerously high blood pressure.

How does it work?

• Methylphenidate stimulates the brain in adults to increase alertness.

• It has a stabilizing effect in attention deficit disorder.

• It increases chemicals in the brain.

How is it best taken?

Oral:

• To gain the most benefit, do not miss doses.

• Take tablet early in the day to avoid sleep problems. Take at least 6 hours before bedtime.

• Take tablet and long-acting products 30-45 minutes before meals.

• Long-acting products: Swallow whole. Do not chew, break, or crush.

• Take Concerta® once daily in the morning. Take with or without food. Take with water, milk, or juice.

• Take Ritalin® LA with or without food. Take with food if it causes an upset stomach.

• Metadate® CD and Ritalin® LA: You may sprinkle contents of capsule on soft food or liquid. Do not chew.

• Methylin® chewable tablet: Take with a glass of water or other liquid.

• Metadate® CD: Take before breakfast.

• Metadate® ER: Take before breakfast and lunch.

Skin patch:

• Follow directions given by healthcare provider or read the package insert.

• Do not use patches that are damaged or cut.

• Wash hands before and after use.

• You can bathe, shower, or swim after applying.

• Apply patch to clean, dry, healthy skin on the hip area. Do not apply patch to the waistline.

• Apply patch in the morning and remove 9 hours later or as directed by healthcare provider.

• Move patch site with each patch.

• If the patch falls off, replace with a new one to a different area on the same hip.

What do I do if I miss a dose? (does not apply to patients in the hospital)

• Use a missed dose as soon as possible. Do not take this medicine after 6 PM.

• If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your regular schedule.

• Do not use a double dose or extra doses.

• Do not change dose or stop medicine. Talk with healthcare provider.

What should I monitor?

• Change in condition being treated. Is it better, worse, or about the same?

• Check blood pressure and heart rate regularly. Talk with healthcare provider.

• Follow up with healthcare provider.

How should I store this medicine?

• Store at room temperature.

• Protect from light.

• Protect capsules and tablets from moisture. Do not store in a bathroom or kitchen.

• Keep patches in protective pouch. Use within 2 months of opening tray.

• After you remove a skin patch, be sure to fold the sticky sides of the patch together.

• Throw away unused patches when they are no longer needed by flushing down toilet or sink. Remove them from pouch, remove liner, and fold in half.

General statements

• If you have a life-threatening allergy, wear allergy identification at all times.

• Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's medicine.

• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.

• Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, natural products, supplements, vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider (doctor, nurse, nurse practitioner, pharmacist, physician assistant).

• Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or in Canada to Health Canada's Canada Vigilance Program at 1-866-234-2345.

• Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine, including over-the-counter, natural products, or vitamins.

Created: 2006-10-13 14:12:21.0

Modified: 2010-03-25 12:07:29.0

Lexi-PALS TM © (1977)-(2007) Lexi-Comp, Inc. All rights reserved.

 
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