Methylphenidate
What is Methylphenidate?
It works by changing the amounts of certain natural substances in the brain. This is a prescription medicine used to treat the symptoms of attention deficit disorder (ADD), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and narcolepsy.
It is a central nervous system stimulant.
It is not known if this drug is safe and effective in children younger than 6 years of age.
What are the possible side effects?
This drug may cause serious side effects including:
- chest pain,
- trouble breathing,
- lightheadedness,
- hallucinations,
- new behavioral problems,
- aggression,
- hostility,
- paranoia
- numbness,
- pain,
- cold feeling,
- unexplained wounds,
- skin color changes in your hands or feet (pale, red or blue), and
- painful erection or an erection lasting over 4 hours
Get medical help right away, if you have any of the symptoms listed above.
The most common side effects of this drug include:
- excessive sweating,
- mood changes,
- nervousness or irritability,
- sleep problems (insomnia),
- fast heart rate,
- pounding heartbeat or fluttering in your chest,
- increased blood pressure,
- loss of appetite,
- weight loss,
- dry mouth,
- nausea,
- stomach pain, and
- headache
Get medical help right away, if you have any of the symptoms listed above.
These are not all the possible side effects of Methylphenidate. For more information, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
How to use Methylphenidate:
Methylphenidate comes as an immediate-release tablet, a chewable tablet, a solution (liquid), a long-acting (extended-release) suspension (liquid), an intermediate-acting (extended-release) tablet, a long-acting (extended-release) capsule, a long-acting (extended-release) tablet, a long-acting (extended-release) chewable tablet, and a long-acting (extended-release) orally disintegrating tablet (tablet that dissolves quickly in the mouth). The long-acting tablet, orally disintegrating tablets, and capsules supply some medication right away and release the remaining amount as a steady dose of medication over a longer time. All of these forms of methylphenidate are taken by mouth.
The regular tablets, chewable tablets (Methylin), and solution (Methylin) are usually taken two to three times a day by adults and twice a day by children, preferably 35 to 40 minutes before meals. Adults who are taking three doses should take the last dose before 6:00 pm, so that the medication will not cause difficulty in falling asleep or staying asleep.
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.
What should I do if I forget a dose?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember it. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about how late in the day you should take a missed dose of your medication so that it will not cause difficulty in falling asleep or staying asleep. However, if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. If you are taking the long-acting capsule (Jornay PM), take the missed dose as soon as you remember it that night. However, if it is already the next morning, skip the missed dose of the long-acting capsule (Jornay PM) and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.
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