What is Methylphenidate? Uses, warnings & side effects

How to take Methylphenidate

• Follow the doctor’s instructions.

• Please read the Medication Guide that comes with this drug.

Immediate-release methylphenidate

• Take immediate-release methylphenidate two to three times daily unless instructed otherwise by the prescriber.

  • Children may be prescribed only two doses daily.

• Take doses 30 to 45 minutes before eating a meal. 

• Store immediate-release methylphenidate products at room temperature, protected from light and moisture.

Tablets

• Swallow tablets whole with a drink of water.

Chewable tablets

• Completely chew methylphenidate chewable tablets.

  • Drink at least eight ounces of water or other liquid to prevent choking.

Oral solution

• Use a calibrated oral syringe to measure oral solution doses.

  • Ask the pharmacist for one if a calibrated oral syringe is not provided with the medicine.

Extended-release methylphenidate

• Take one dose daily in the morning.

  • Jornay PM doses are taken in the evening between 6:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.

• Doses can be taken with or without food.

  • Take Aptensio XR, Cotempla XR-ODT, and Jornay PM doses the same way each time.

• Store extended-release methylphenidate in a closed container at room temperature protected from light and moisture.

Tablets or capsules

• Swallow the tablet or capsule whole with water or other liquid. Do not crush or chew the tablet or capsule.

  • If swallowing a capsule is difficult, it can be opened, sprinkled on applesauce, and taken that way.

  • Take the mixture within 10 minutes of preparing it.

  • Do not chew.

  • Take a drink of water when finished.

Chewable tablets

• Completely chew methylphenidate chewable tablets and swallow.

  • The 10 and 15 mg tablets are scored to be divided into two smaller doses.

  • Drink at least eight ounces of water or other liquid to prevent choking.

Orally disintegrating tablets

• Do not remove orally disintegrating tablets from the blister pack until ready to administer a dose.

  • Use dry hands to open the blister pack.

  • Do not push the tablet through the back of the blister pack. Peel it back, instead.

  • Place the tablet on the tongue.

  • Allow it to completely dissolve. Do not crush or chew.

  • Swallow.

Oral suspension

• Vigorously shake the oral suspension before measuring a dose.

  • Use a calibrated oral syringe to measure doses.

  • If a calibrated oral syringe is not provided with the medicine, ask the pharmacist for one.

Transdermal methylphenidate patches

• Methylphenidate patches are worn for one day (nine hours).

• Use only one patch daily.

• Do not cut or trim the patch.

• Place the patch on the hip area two hours before the effects are needed.

  • Avoid the waistline.

  • Do not touch the adhesive side.

  • Once attached, hold in place for at least 30 seconds to ensure adhesion.

  • Do not use bandages, tape, or adhesive to secure the patch to the skin.

  • Always switch hips when applying the next patch.

• Remove the patch nine hours after placement.

  • Peel off slowly.

  • Dispose of the patch by folding the adhesive side together, flushing it down the toilet, or throwing it away in a lidded container.

• Store unused patches in their unopened pouches at room temperature.

  • Do not freeze or refrigerate the patches.

What to do if you miss a dose of Methylphenidate

• Taking a missed dose depends on the format.

Immediate-release methylphenidate

• Take a missed dose of immediate-release methylphenidate when remembered. 

  • If it’s almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose.

  • Always take doses 30 to 45 minutes before a meal, including missed doses.

  • Avoid taking methylphenidate IR after 6:00 p.m.

Extended-release methylphenidate

• Take a missed methylphenidate ER (extended release) dose if it’s still morning.

  • Avoid taking a missed dose in the afternoon.

  • If it’s too late in the day, skip the missed dose and take the next dose in the morning.

• Take a missed Jornay PM dose if it’s still evening.

  • Do not take the missed dose in the morning.

  • If it’s the next day, skip the missed dose and take the next dose in the evening.

Transdermal methylphenidate patches

• If a patch is forgotten, apply the patch when remembered.

  • Remove the patch at its normal removal time.

  • If a patch falls off, replace it with a new patch in a different spot on the hip and remove it at its normal time.

Methylphenidate contraindications - Who shouldn't take Methylphenidate?

• This medicine is not right for everyone. 

• Do not use it if you have had an allergic reaction to methylphenidate.

Methylphenidate warnings

• Tell other healthcare professionals providing treatment that you or your child is taking methylphenidate.

  • This drug may need to be stopped before certain types of surgery.

• Keep all appointments with the prescriber.

  • Refills are not automatic. Each month’s refill needs a separate prescription.

  • The prescriber will need to check heart health, blood pressure, and other issues regularly.

  • The prescriber will need to regularly check a child’s height and weight. 

• Tell the prescriber if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or if you have:

  • Heart problems, including heart disease or a heart defect

  • High blood pressure

  • Circulation problems in the fingers or toes

  • Eye problems, including glaucoma, high eye pressure, or narrow angles

  • A personal or family history of psychiatric problems, including depression, bipolar disorder, or psychosis

  • Motor tics, Tourette syndrome, or a family history of Tourette syndrome

  • Anxiety

  • A history of drug abuse or addiction

• Methylphenidate can cause serious side effects, including:

  • Serious heart or blood vessel problems, including a heart attack or stroke

  • Circulation problems in the fingers and toes

  • High blood pressure

  • Increased eye pressure

  • Glaucoma

  • Prolonged and painful erections

  • Growth suppression in children

• Methylphenidate can worsen or bring on mental health problems such as anxiety, tics, mania, or psychosis.

• Methylphenidate can cause dizziness or blurry vision. Avoid driving or other risky activities until you know how this drug affects you.

• Methylphenidate can be habit-forming and lead to abuse. 

  • Do not use more than prescribed. 

  • Talk to the prescriber if the drug does not seem to be working.

• Methylphenidate is a federally controlled substance. Selling or giving this medicine to another person is hazardous and illegal.

  • Keep this medicine in a locked and secure location out of the reach of children and other people.

• For some extended-release formats, the tablet may appear in the stools.

  • This is normal and not a cause for worry.

• Quillichew XR chewable tablets contain aspartame. People with phenylketonuria may have a serious reaction to this product.

• When using methylphenidate transdermal patches, do not expose the patch to heat (heating pads, blow dryers, heated water beds).

  • Heat can speed up the skin’s absorption of the drug, increasing the risk of side effects.

Methylphenidate interactions & what to avoid when taking Methylphenidate

• Do not use methylphenidate if you are using or have used an MAO inhibitor (MAOI) within the past 14 days.

• Before starting methylphenidate, tell the prescriber about all your current drugs and supplements, particularly:

  • Other stimulants

  • Antidepressants

  • Blood pressure medications

  • Drugs that narrow blood vessels (vasopressors)

  • Coumarin blood thinners (e.g., warfarin)

  • The antipsychotic drug risperidone

• Avoid drinking alcohol. 

• Do not use topical drugs or products on a methylphenidate patch application site.

• Tell other healthcare providers about methylphenidate before they prescribe new medications or schedule medical procedures that require inhaled anesthetics.