Learn more about usage, cautions, and possible side effects .
Chemical Name: METHYLPHENIDATE (meth-ill-FEN-i-date)
This medicine is a central nervous system (CNS) stimulant used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). It may also be used to treat other conditions as determined by your doctor.
WARNING: Use this medicine with caution if you have a history of emotional problems or alcohol or substance abuse. Abuse of this medicine may cause it to not work as well. Abuse may also lead to addiction and severe mental changes. Do not suddenly stop using this medicine. Depression or other mental problems may occur. Your doctor should slowly lower your dose over a period of time if you need to stop using it. Some medicines or medical conditions may interact with this medicine. INFORM YOUR DOCTOR OR PHARMACIST of all prescription and over-the-counter medicine that you are taking. DO NOT TAKE THIS MEDICINE if you are also taking a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) (such as furazolidone, linezolid, moclobemide, phenelzine, procarbazine, selegiline, isocarboxazid, or tranylcypromine), or if you have taken an MAOI within the past 14 days. ADDITIONAL MONITORING OF YOUR DOSE OR CONDITION may be needed if you are taking anticoagulants (such as warfarin), certain anticonvulsants (such as phenobarbital, phenytoin, or primidone), clonidine, guanadrel, guanethidine, phenylbutazone, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (such as fluoxetine), tricyclic antidepressants (such as amitriptyline), pressor agents (such as norepinephrine), or medicine for high blood pressure. DO NOT START OR STOP any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval. Inform your doctor of any other medical conditions including a history of alcohol or other substance abuse, mental or mood problems (such as agitation, anxiety, tension, bipolar disorder, depression, psychosis, abnormal thoughts, hallucinations), suicidal thoughts or actions, heart problems (such as heart failure, fast or irregular heartbeat, recent heart attack), high blood pressure, seizures, abnormal electroencephalograms (EEGs), overactive thyroid, chronic fatigue, cystic fibrosis, stomach or bowel problems (such as blockage, inflammation, or narrowing), allergies, pregnancy, or breast-feeding. INFORM YOUR DOCTOR IF A MEMBER OF YOUR FAMILY has a history of irregular heartbeat, sudden death, mental or mood problems, suicidal thoughts or attempts, or alcohol or other substance abuse or dependence. USE OF THIS MEDICINE IS NOT RECOMMENDED if you have severe heart problems (such as heart defect or severe irregular heartbeat); severe anxiety, tension, or agitation; glaucoma; motor tics; or a personal or family history of Tourette's syndrome. Use of this medicine in children under age 6 is not recommended. Discuss with your doctor the risks and benefits of giving this medicine to your child. Contact your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions or concerns about using this medicine.
Follow the directions for using this medicine provided by your doctor. This medicine comes with a MEDICATION GUIDE approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Read it carefully each time you refill this medicine. Ask your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist any questions that you may have about this medicine. TAKE THIS MEDICINE by mouth in the morning. Talk with your doctor about how you should take this medicine in regard to food. SWALLOW WHOLE. Do not crush or chew before swallowing. If you cannot swallow this medicine whole, you may open the capsule and sprinkle the contents onto a spoonful of applesauce. Swallow immediately, followed by a glass of water. DO NOT use warm applesauce. Do not chew the applesauce mixture. Do not mix up a dose ahead of time for later use. IF YOU TAKE AN ANTACID, proton pump inhibitor (such as omeprazole), or certain types of other medicine for stomach acid (such as ranitidine), ask your doctor or pharmacist how to take them with this medicine. STORE THIS MEDICINE at room temperature at 77 degrees F (25 degrees C), away from heat, moisture, and light. Brief storage between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C) is permitted. IF YOU MISS A DOSE OF THIS MEDICINE, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.
DO NOT TAKE THIS MEDICINE if you are allergic to it or to any ingredient in this product. DO NOT EXCEED THE RECOMMENDED DOSE or take this medicine for longer than prescribed without checking with your doctor. Exceeding the recommended dose or taking this medicine for longer than prescribed may be habit-forming. If using this medicine for an extended period of time, DO NOT SUDDENLY STOP taking this medicine without your doctor's approval. When used for an extended period of time, this medicine may not work as well and may require different dosing. Talk with your doctor if this medicine stops working well. Laboratory and/or medical tests, including heart function, liver function, blood pressure, complete blood counts, and platelet counts may be performed to monitor your progress or to check for side effects. KEEP ALL DOCTOR AND LABORATORY APPOINTMENTS while you are using this medicine. BEFORE YOU HAVE ANY MEDICAL OR DENTAL TREATMENTS, EMERGENCY CARE, OR SURGERY, tell the doctor or dentist that you are using this medicine. 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 other serious heart problem, talk with your doctor about other therapies to treat your condition. This medicine may cause drowsiness or dizziness. DO NOT DRIVE, OPERATE MACHINERY, OR DO ANYTHING ELSE THAT COULD BE DANGEROUS until you know how you react to this medicine. Using this medicine alone, with other medicines, or with alcohol may lessen your ability to drive or to perform other potentially dangerous tasks. CHECK WITH YOUR DOCTOR before drinking alcohol while taking this medicine. BEFORE YOU BEGIN TAKING ANY NEW MEDICINE, either prescription or over-the-counter, check with your doctor or pharmacist. THIS MEDICINE MAY AFFECT growth rate and weight gain in children and teenagers. They may need regular growth and weight checks while taking this medicine. CAUTION IS ADVISED WHEN USING THIS MEDICINE IN CHILDREN because they may be more sensitive to the effects of the medicine especially loss of appetite, stomach pain, trouble sleeping and fast heartbeat. FOR WOMEN: IF YOU PLAN ON BECOMING PREGNANT, discuss with your doctor the benefits and risks of using this medicine during pregnancy. IT IS UNKNOWN IF THIS MEDICINE IS EXCRETED in breast-milk. IF YOU ARE OR WILL BE BREAST-FEEDING while you are taking this medicine, check with your doctor or pharmacist to discuss the risks to your baby.
SIDE EFFECTS that may occur while taking this medicine include dizziness, drowsiness, dry mouth, headache, increased sweating, loss of appetite, nausea, nervousness, stomach pain, trouble sleeping, and weight loss. If they continue or are bothersome, check with your doctor. CHECK WITH YOUR DOCTOR AS SOON AS POSSIBLE if you experience fever, chills, or persistent sore throat; or blurred vision or other vision changes. CONTACT YOUR DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY if you experience behavior changes (such as aggression or hostility), dark urine, fast or irregular heartbeat, chest pain or discomfort, confusion, fainting, hallucinations, seizures, mental or mood changes (such as abnormal thoughts, agitation, anxiety, depression, irritability, persistent crying, unresponsiveness, or unusual sadness), severe or persistent dizziness or headache, uncontrolled speech or muscle movements, suicidal thoughts or actions, or yellowing of the eyes or skin. AN ALLERGIC REACTION to this medicine is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include rash, itching, joint pain, purplish or brownish-red spots on the skin, swelling, dizziness, or trouble breathing. If you notice any other effects, contact your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist. This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your healthcare provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Drug interactions can result in unwanted side effects or prevent a medicine from doing its job. Use our drug interaction checker to find out if your medicines interact with each other. Check drug interactions
If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. Symptoms of overdose may include agitation, confusion, dilated pupils, fast or irregular heartbeat, fever, hallucinations, severe vomiting, twitching, tremors, flushing, unusual sweating, severe or persistent headache, seizures, and loss of consciousness.
If your symptoms do not improve within 1 month or if they become worse, check with your doctor. DO NOT SHARE THIS MEDICINE with others for whom it was not prescribed. DO NOT USE THIS MEDICINE for other health conditions. KEEP THIS MEDICINE out of the reach of children.
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