Summary: Ritalin / Methyl
Phenidate is a PRESCRIPTION ONLY drug for helping patients with a number of
mental disorders like hyper-activity, attention-deficit disorders, autism, etc. It
is included here only for guidance about what to tell
your doctor, and NOT FOR SELF MEDICATION
RITALIN (Methylphenidate): PATIENT / USER
GUIDANCE
METHYL PHENIDATE is available as Ritalin brand, in tablet strengths of 5 mg,
10 mg, 20 mg, and slow release forms containing 20 mg.
Description
Methylphenidate (meth-ill-FEN-i-date) belongs to the group of medicines
called central stimulants. It is used to treat Attention-Deficit
Hyperactivity Disorder
(ADHD).
Methylphenidate works by increasing attention and decreasing restlessness in
children and adults who are overactive, cannot concentrate for very long or are
easily distracted, and are impulsive. This medicine is used as part of a total
treatment program that also includes social, educational, and psychological
treatment.
Methylphenidate is also used in the treatment of narcolepsy (uncontrollable
desire for sleep or sudden attacks of deep sleep).
This medicine is available only with a doctor's prescription. Prescriptions
cannot be refilled. A new written prescription must be obtained from your doctor
each time you or your child needs this medicine.
Methylphenidate is available in the following dosage
forms:
Oral
Tablets
Extended-release tablets
Proper Use of This Medicine
Take this medicine only as directed by your doctor. Do not take more of
it, do not take it more often, and do not take it for a longer time than
your doctor ordered. If too much is taken, it may become habit-forming.
Take this medicine with or after meals or a snack.
To help prevent trouble in sleeping, take the last dose of the
short-acting tablets before 6 p.m., unless otherwise directed by your
doctor.
If you think this medicine is not working properly after you have taken it
for several weeks, do not increase the dose. Instead, check with your
doctor.
If you are taking the long-acting form of this medicine:
These tablets are to be swallowed whole. Do not break, crush, or chew
before swallowing.
Dosing
The dose of methylphenidate will be different for different patients. Follow
your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information
includes only the average doses of methylphenidate. If your dose is different,
do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.
The number of tablets that you take depends on the strength of the medicine.
Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and
the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which
you are using methylphenidate.
For attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder:
For short-acting oral dosage form (tablets):
Adults and teenagers—5 to 20 milligrams (mg) two or
three times a day, taken with or after meals.
Children 6 years of age and over—To start, 5 mg two
times a day, taken with or after breakfast and lunch. Your doctor may
increase the dose if needed by 5 to 10 mg a week until symptoms improve or a
maximum dose is reached.
Children up to 6 years of age—The dose must be
determined by the doctor.
For long-acting oral dosage form (extended-release tablets):
Adults and teenagers—20 mg one to three times a day,
spaced eight hours apart.
Children 6 years of age and over—20 mg one to three
times a day, spaced eight hours apart.
Children up to 6 years of age—The dose must be
determined by the doctor.
For narcolepsy:
For short-acting oral dosage form (tablets):
Adults and teenagers—5 to 20 mg two or three times a
day, taken with or after meals.
For long-acting oral dosage form (extended-release tablets):
Adults and teenagers—20 mg one to three times a day,
spaced eight hours apart.
Missed dose—If you miss a dose of this medicine, take
it as soon as possible. Then take any remaining doses for that day at
regularly spaced intervals. Do not double doses.
Storage—To store this medicine:
Keep out of the reach of children.
Store away from heat and direct light.
Do not store in the bathroom, near the kitchen sink, or in other damp
places. Heat or moisture may cause the medicine to break down.
Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed. Be sure that
any discarded medicine is out of the reach of children.
Side Effects of This Medicine
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects.
Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need
medical attention.
Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side
effects occur:
More common
Fast heartbeat; increased blood pressure
Less common
Black, tarry stools; blood in urine or stools; chest pain; fever; joint
pain; pinpoint red spots on skin; skin rash or hives; uncontrolled movements
of the body; unusual bleeding or bruising
Rare
Blurred vision or any change in vision; uncontrolled vocal outbursts and
tics (uncontrolled and repeated body movements)
With long-term use or at high doses
Mood or mental changes; weight loss
Symptoms of overdose
Agitation; confusion (severe); convulsions (seizures); dryness of mouth or
mucous membranes; false sense of well-being; fast, pounding, or irregular
heartbeat; fever; headache (severe); increased blood pressure; increased
sweating; large pupils; muscle twitching; overactive reflexes; seeing, hearing,
or feeling things that are not there; trembling or tremors; vomiting
Other side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention.
These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the
medicine. However, check with your doctor if any of the following side effects
continue or are bothersome:
More common
Loss of appetite; nervousness; trouble in sleeping
After you stop using this medicine, your body may need time to adjust. The
length of time this takes depends on the amount of medicine you were using and
how long you used it. During this period of time check with your doctor if you
notice any of the following side effects:
Mental depression (severe); unusual behavior; unusual tiredness or
weakness
Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some patients. If
you notice any other effects, check with your doctor
Acknowledgement: This
text is based upon the matter given in USP DI® and is only meant as
a guide, with no commercial interest.
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