Methylphenidate (By Mouth)

Methylphenidate (meth-il-FEN-i-date)

Treats attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and narcolepsy (sudden attacks of uncontrollable sleepiness).

Brand Name(s):

Concerta, Methylin, Metadate CD, Ritalin LA, Ritalin, Methylin ER, Metadate ER, Ritalin-SR
There may be other brand names for this medicine.

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:

You should not use this medicine if you have had an allergic reaction to methylphenidate, if you have problems with severe anxiety, tension, or agitation, if you have Tourette's syndrome, muscle tics, or glaucoma, or if you have taken an MAO inhibitor (Eldepryl®, Marplan®, Nardil®, Parnate®) within the past 14 days. This medicine should not be given to a child under 6 years of age unless your doctor tells you otherwise.

How to Use This Medicine:

Tablet, Long Acting Capsule, Long Acting Tablet

• Your doctor will tell you how much of this medicine to take and how often. Do not take more medicine or take it more often than your doctor tells you to.
• You may take this medicine with or without food. Because methylphenidate can cause a loss of appetite, it is best to take the medicine after eating or just before a meal, unless your doctor tells you differently.
• The extended-release form of this medicine is taken once daily, usually just before the morning meal. Swallow the capsule or tablet whole. Do not break, chew, or crush it. If you cannot swallow the extended-release capsule whole, open it and sprinkle the medicine into a tablespoon of applesauce. Swallow this mixture right away and then drink some water.
• Always take this medicine with a full glass of liquid (water, milk, or juice).

If a dose is missed:

• If you miss a dose or forget to take your medicine, take it as soon as you can. Take the rest of your doses for that day at evenly spaced times. Allow the same number of hours to pass between taking each dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

How to Store and Dispose of This Medicine:

• Store the medicine at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Ask your pharmacist, doctor, or health caregiver about the best way to dispose of any outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.
• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and never share your medicine with anyone.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid:

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

• Make sure your doctor knows if you are also using clonidine (Catapres®, Clorpres®, Combipres®), blood thinners (Coumadin®, warfarin), medicine for depression (such as amitriptyline, imipramine, trazodone, Norpramin®, Vivactil®, Celexa®, Effexor®, Luvox®, Paxil®, Prozac®, Serzone®, Zoloft®), medicine for seizures (such as Dilantin®, Luminal®, Mysoline®).

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

• Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have epilepsy, a history of seizures, stomach problems, heart disease, high blood pressure, depression or mental illness, or drug or alcohol problems.
• This medicine may be habit-forming. If you feel that the medicine is not working as well, do not take more than your prescribed dose. Call your doctor for instructions.
• This medicine may make you dizzy or drowsy. Avoid driving, using machines, or doing anything else that could be dangerous if you are not alert.
• Methylphenidate may slow down growth in children. This can cause a child not to gain weight or height normally. Talk with your doctor if you think this is a problem.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine:

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

• Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in face or hands, swelling or tingling in the mouth or throat, tightness in chest, trouble breathing
• Fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeat
• Mood or mental changes, unusual behavior
• Trouble seeing, blurred vision
• Uncontrollable muscle movements or twitching
• Vomiting, agitation, confusion, sweating, fever, tremors

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

• Feeling restless or nervous
• Nausea, loss of appetite, stomach pain
• Runny or stuffy nose, cough, sore throat
• Trouble sleeping
• Weight loss

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor.