Methylphenidate



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







Methylphenidate

(meth il FEN i date)

U.S. Brand Names
Concerta®; Daytrana™; Metadate® CD; Metadate® ER; Methylin®; Methylin® ER; Ritalin®; Ritalin® LA; Ritalin-SR®
Canadian Brand Names
Apo-Methylphenidate® SR; Concerta®; PMS-Methylphenidate; Riphenidate; Ritalin®; Ritalin® SR
Mexican Brand Names
Ritalin®
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.
Reasons not to take this medicine
  • Do not give this medicine to a child with both attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder and Tourette's syndrome or tics.
  • 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 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 any of the following conditions: Drug abuse, glaucoma, heart disease, high blood pressure, nervous condition, overactive thyroid gland, or structural abnormalities of the heart.
  • 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.
  • If you are breast-feeding.
What is this medicine used for?
  • This medicine is used to treat attention deficit disorder with hyperactivity. It may take 3 weeks to see the full effect.
  • This medicine is used to treat depression.
  • This medicine is used to treat narcolepsy.
How does it work?
  • Methylphenidate stimulates the brain in adults to increase alertness.
  • It has a stabilizing effect in children with attention deficit disorder.
How is it best taken?
  • Oral:
  • Take tablet early in the day to avoid sleep problems.
  • Take tablet and long-acting products 30-45 minutes before meals.
  • Take Concerta® once daily in the morning. Take with or without food. Take with water, milk, or juice.
  • Long-acting products: Swallow whole. Do not chew, break, or crush.
  • Take Ritalin® LA with or without food. Take with food if it causes an upset stomach.
  • Ritalin® LA: You may sprinkle contents of capsule on soft food or liquid.
  • Skin patch:
  • Follow directions given by healthcare provider or read 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 are the precautions when taking this medicine?
  • All forms:
  • This medicine may be habit-forming with long-term use.
  • If you have seizures, talk with healthcare provider.
  • Check medicines with healthcare provider. This medicine may not mix well with other medicines.
  • If you are taking this medicine and have high blood pressure, talk with healthcare provider before using over-the-counter products that may increase blood pressure. These include cough or cold remedies, diet pills, stimulants, ibuprofen or like products, and certain natural products or supplements.
  • Limit caffeine (for example, tea, coffee, cola) and chocolate intake. Use with this medicine may cause nervousness, shakiness, and fast heartbeat.
  • Tell healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan on getting pregnant.
  • Skin patch:
  • May contain conducting metal. Remove patch before MRI.
  • Avoid use of heat sources (such as sunlamps, tanning beds, heating pads, electric blankets, heat lamps, saunas, hot tubs, heated waterbeds). Avoid long, hot baths or sunbathing. Your temperature may rise and cause too much medicine to be released at once.
What are some possible side effects of this medicine?
  • Tablet shell of Concerta™ in the stool.
  • Feeling dizzy. Rise slowly over several minutes from sitting or lying position. Be careful climbing.
  • High blood pressure.
  • Nervous and excitable.
  • Not hungry.
  • Inability to sleep.
  • Skin irritation.
What should I monitor?
  • Change in condition being treated. Is it better, worse, or about the same?
  • Check blood pressure and heart rate regularly if you have heart disease.
  • Follow up with healthcare provider.
Reasons to call healthcare provider immediately
  • If you suspect an overdose, call your local poison control center immediately or dial 911.
  • Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing; chest tightness; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits; or swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.
  • Chest pain or pressure, fast heartbeat, or passing out.
  • Very nervous and excitable.
  • Severe skin irritation.
  • Severe headache.
  • Any rash.
  • No improvement in condition or feeling worse.
How should I store this medicine?
  • Store at room temperature.
  • Protect from heat.
  • 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. 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).
  • Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine, including over-the-counter, natural products, or vitamins.
Brand Names: