Pronunciation: METH-il-FEN-i-date
Generic Name: Methylphenidate
Brand Name: Examples include Methylin ER and Ritalin SR
Use Methylphenidate Controlled-Release Tablets with caution if you have a history of emotional problems, or alcohol or substance abuse. Abuse of Methylphenidate Controlled-Release Tablets may cause it to not work as well. Abuse may also lead to addiction and severe mental changes. Do not suddenly stop using Methylphenidate Controlled-Release Tablets. Depression and other mental problems may occur. Your doctor should slowly lower your dose over a period of time if you need to stop using it.
Methylphenidate Controlled-Release Tablets are used for:
Treating attention deficit disorder (ADD). It is also used to treat uncontrollable periods of daytime sleep (narcolepsy). It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.
Methylphenidate Controlled-Release Tablets are a central nervous system stimulant. Exactly how it works is not known.
Do NOT use Methylphenidate Controlled-Release Tablets if:
- you are allergic to any ingredient in Methylphenidate Controlled-Release Tablets
- you have severe anxiety, agitation, or tension
- you have glaucoma
- you have motor tics (involuntary movements), Tourette syndrome, or a family history of Tourette syndrome
- you have serious heart problems (eg, heart defect, irregular heartbeat)
- you are taking a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) (eg, phenelzine) or have taken an MAOI within the past 14 days
Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.
Before using Methylphenidate Controlled-Release Tablets:
Some medical conditions may interact with Methylphenidate Controlled-Release Tablets. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:
- if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
- if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
- if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
- if you have a history of high blood pressure, heart problems (eg, heart failure, fast or irregular heartbeat), a recent heart attack, or if a family member has a history of irregular heartbeat or sudden death
- if you have a history of seizures or abnormal electroencephalograms (EEGs)
- if you have a history of overactive thyroid, chronic fatigue, cystic fibrosis, or stomach or bowel problems (eg, blockage, inflammation, narrowing)
- if you have a history of mood or mental problems (eg, agitation, anxiety, bipolar disorder, depression, psychosis, tension), abnormal thoughts, hallucinations, suicidal thoughts or attempts, or alcohol or other substance abuse or dependence, or if a family member has a history of any of these problems
Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Methylphenidate Controlled-Release Tablets. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:
- MAOIs (eg, phenelzine) because severe high blood pressure may occur
- Clonidine because serious side effects may occur
- Anticoagulants (eg, warfarin), certain anticonvulsants (eg, phenobarbital, phenytoin, primidone), phenylbutazone, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) (eg, fluoxetine), or tricyclic antidepressants (eg, imipramine) because the risk of their side effects may be increased by Methylphenidate Controlled-Release Tablets
- Medicines for high blood pressure (eg, guanethidine, metoprolol) because their effectiveness may be decreased by Methylphenidate Controlled-Release Tablets
This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Methylphenidate Controlled-Release Tablets may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.
How to use Methylphenidate Controlled-Release Tablets:
Use Methylphenidate Controlled-Release Tablets as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.
- Methylphenidate Controlled-Release Tablets comes with an extra patient information sheet called a Medication Guide. Read it carefully. Read it again each time you get Methylphenidate Controlled-Release Tablets refilled.
- Take Methylphenidate Controlled-Release Tablets by mouth in the morning with or without food.
- Swallow Methylphenidate Controlled-Release Tablets whole. Do not break, crush, or chew before swallowing.
- If you miss a dose of Methylphenidate Controlled-Release Tablets, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.
Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Methylphenidate Controlled-Release Tablets.
Important safety information:
- Methylphenidate Controlled-Release Tablets may cause dizziness or drowsiness. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Methylphenidate Controlled-Release Tablets with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.
- Do NOT take more than the recommended dose without checking with your doctor.
- If your symptoms do not get better within 1 month or if they get worse, check with your doctor.
- Serious effects, including heart attack, stroke, and sudden death, have occurred with the use of stimulant medicines in patients with heart defects or other serious heart problems. If you have a heart defect or another serious problem, talk with your doctor about other therapies to treat your condition.
- Tell your doctor or dentist that you take Methylphenidate Controlled-Release Tablets before you receive any medical or dental care, emergency care, or surgery.
- Lab tests, including blood pressure, heart function, complete blood cell counts, and platelet counts, may be performed while you use Methylphenidate Controlled-Release Tablets. These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.
- Methylphenidate Controlled-Release Tablets may affect growth rate and weight gain in CHILDREN and teenagers in some cases. They may need regular growth and weight checks while they take Methylphenidate Controlled-Release Tablets.
- Caution is advised when using Methylphenidate Controlled-Release Tablets in CHILDREN; they may be more sensitive to its effects, especially loss of appetite, stomach pain, weight loss, trouble sleeping, and fast heartbeat.
- Methylphenidate Controlled-Release Tablets should not be used in CHILDREN younger than 6 years old; safety and effectiveness in these children have not been confirmed.
- PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Methylphenidate Controlled-Release Tablets while you are pregnant. It is not known if Methylphenidate Controlled-Release Tablets are found in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you use Methylphenidate Controlled-Release Tablets, check with your doctor. Discuss any possible risks to your baby.
When used for long periods of time or at high doses, Methylphenidate Controlled-Release Tablets may not work as well and may require higher doses to obtain the same effect as when originally taken. This is known as TOLERANCE. Talk with your doctor if Methylphenidate Controlled-Release Tablets stops working well. Do not take more than prescribed.
Some people who use Methylphenidate Controlled-Release Tablets for a long time may develop a need to continue taking it. People who take high doses are also at risk. This is known as DEPENDENCE or addiction. Do not suddenly stop taking Methylphenidate Controlled-Release Tablets. If you do, you may have WITHDRAWAL symptoms. These may include depression or other mental problems. If you need to stop Methylphenidate Controlled-Release Tablets, your doctor will lower your dose over time.
Possible side effects of Methylphenidate Controlled-Release Tablets:
All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:
Dizziness; drowsiness; headache; loss of appetite; nausea; nervousness; stomach pain; trouble sleeping.
Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:
Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue; joint pain; purple or brownish red spots on the skin); behavior changes (eg, aggression, hostility, restlessness); blurred vision or other vision problems; chest pain; confusion; dark urine; fainting; fast or irregular heartbeat; fever, chills, or sore throat; hallucinations; mental or mood changes (eg, agitation, anxiety, depression, irritability, panic attacks, persistent crying, unusual sadness); one-sided weakness; seizures; severe or persistent dizziness or headache; shortness of breath; slurred speech; suicidal thoughts or attempts; tremor; uncontrolled speech or muscle movements; yellowing of the eyes or skin.
This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.
See also: Methylphenidate side effects (in more detail)
If OVERDOSE is suspected:
Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center, or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include confusion; dilated pupils; fast or irregular heartbeat; fever; flushing; hallucinations; loss of consciousness; muscle twitching; seizures; severe or persistent headache; tremors; unusual sweating; vomiting.
Proper storage of Methylphenidate Controlled-Release Tablets:
Store Methylphenidate Controlled-Release Tablets at 77 degrees F (25 degrees C). Brief storage at temperatures between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C) is permitted. Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Methylphenidate Controlled-Release Tablets out of the reach of children and away from pets.
General information:
- If you have any questions about Methylphenidate Controlled-Release Tablets, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
- Methylphenidate Controlled-Release Tablets are to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
- If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.
- Check with your pharmacist about how to dispose of unused medicine.
This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Methylphenidate Controlled-Release Tablets. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
More Methylphenidate resources
- Methylphenidate Side Effects (in more detail)
- Methylphenidate Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
- Drug Images
- Methylphenidate Drug Interactions
- Methylphenidate Support Group
- 242 Reviews for Methylphenidate - Add your own review/rating
Compare Methylphenidate with other medications
- ADHD
- Depression
- Fatigue
- Narcolepsy
- Obesity
- Severe Mood Dysregulation
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