Methylphenidate: functions, dosage, side effects, how to use it

What Drug Methylphenidate?

What is Methylphenidate for?

Methylphenidate is a central nervous system stimulant drug. This medication affects chemicals in the brain and nerves that cause hyperactive impulses and control impulses. Doctors usually prescribe this drug for attention deficit disorder (ADD) therapy, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children and adults. This drug can also be used to treat the sleep disorder narcolepsy.

Since it is a strong drug, the use of this drug must be under close supervision by a doctor. If used inappropriately or not as directed by a doctor, this drug has a high potential to cause dangerous side effects, such as addiction.

Your doctor may also use Methylphenidate for purposes not listed in this medication guide. Please ask your doctor for more information.

How do I take Methylphenidate?

In order to get the maximum benefit, use this drug according to the doctor's orders or the usage rules listed on the drug packaging package. Do not use this medication too much, little, and for longer than recommended. To help you remember, take this medication at the same time each day.

Methylphenidate is a drug that is available in tablet and capsule form. Medicines in tablet form should be taken at least 30 to 45 minutes before meals. Meanwhile, in the form of an Extended-release (slow-acting) capsule, this drug can be taken before or after meals. Ask your doctor what kind of medicine you will take and when is the best time to take it.

Take the drug as a whole. It is not recommended that you crush, chew, or crush the drug as this can actually trigger dangerous side effects.

Make sure you are taking the medicine in the correct dosage prescribed by your doctor. Using an inappropriate dose of the drug can decrease the effectiveness of the drug and increase the potential for an overdose. If you miss a dose, take this medication as soon as you remember. If you remember just before the time of your next dose, do not take the double dose. Instead, continue with the usual dosing schedule.

In general, the dosage is adjusted to the medical condition and the patient's response to treatment. That is why, the dosage of medicine for each person can be different.

Do not stop taking your medication even if you think your condition is getting better. Stopping taking medication suddenly can trigger withdrawal symptoms, which are marked by depression, drastic mood swings, and suicidal thoughts.

Do not hesitate to see a doctor immediately if your condition does not improve or gets worse. The point is, get to the doctor immediately whenever you experience unusual symptoms.

How to store Methylphenidate?

This medication is best stored at room temperature. Keep away from direct light and damp places. Don't keep it in the bathroom. Don't freeze it.

Other brands of this drug may have different storage rules. Observe the storage instructions on the product package or ask your pharmacist. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.

Do not flush medicines down the toilet or down the drain unless instructed to do so. Discard this product when it has expired or when it is no longer needed.

Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company about how to safely dispose of your product.

Methylphenidate dosage

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor or pharmacist before starting treatment.

What is the dosage of Methylphenidate for adults?

The recommended dosage of the drug is 18 mg or 36 mg once a day.

The dosage for each person can be different. This is because the dosage is adjusted to the health condition and the patient's response to treatment. Please consult a doctor for more information.

In addition, it is also important to understand that this drug has a high potential for addiction. Especially in people who were previously addicted to drugs or alcohol. In order to avoid these risks, use the exact drug dosage as prescribed by your doctor.

Tell your doctor or pharmacist immediately if your condition does not improve or gets worse. Your doctor may give you other drugs that are more suitable and safer for your condition.

What is the dosage of Methylphenidate for children?

Dosage for children is based on their age and body weight. Doctors also consider the child's health condition and response to medications.

Therefore, the dosage of medicine for each child can be different. To find out the exact dosage, please consult directly to a doctor.

In what preparations is this drug available?

This drug is available in various forms. Starting from tablets, capsules, oral fluids, and so on.

Methylphenidate side effects

What side effects can be experienced due to Methylphenidate?

Just like drugs in general, this drug also has the potential to cause side effects from mild to severe. Some of the most common and frequently complained of side effects while using Methylphenidate are:

• Dizzy
• Mild headaches
• Nausea and vomiting
• Stomach ache
• Insomnia
• Decreased appetite
• Sweating a lot
• Mild skin rash
• A sensation of numbness, tingling, or coldness in the hands or feet
• Feelings of nervousness
• Weight loss
• Difficulty sleeping at night (insomnia)

In certain cases, this drug can also cause serious side effects that can be fatal. When this happens, usually the sufferer will experience a number of symptoms such as:

• Chest tightness
• Difficulty breathing
• Heavy kliyengan
• Feelings like you want to pass out
• Hallucinations
• Excessive anxiety or restlessness
• Unusual changes in behavior
• Fingers and toes discolored (either paler, reddish, or purplish blue)
• Seizures
• Uncontrolled muscle movements
• Visual disturbances
• Prolonged and painful erection of the penis

This medicine can also affect a child's growth. Therefore, do not hesitate to ask your child to see a doctor if your child's growth is slower than children his age when taking this drug.

Not everyone experiences the following side effects. There may be some side effects not listed above. If you have concerns about certain side effects, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Methylphenidate Drug Warnings and Cautions

What should be known before using Methylphenidate?

There are several things you need to know and do before using methylphenidate, namely:

• Tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to methylphenidate or any of the ingredients in this medication. Ask your doctor and pharmacist for the compiler list.
• Tell your doctor and pharmacist if you have recently been taking certain medications. Whether it's prescription drugs, non-prescription drugs, to herbal products. Especially if you are using drugs that are monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors.
• Tell your doctor and pharmacist if you have a history of neurological diseases, such as Tourette Syndrome, seizures, and epilepsy.
• Tell your doctor and pharmacist if you have a history of drug or alcohol addiction.
• Tell your doctor and pharmacist if you have or have a history of digestive disorders affecting the esophagus, stomach, or intestines.
• Tell your doctor and pharmacist if you have or are experiencing glaucoma, high blood pressure, thyroid disease, depression, and bipolar disorder.
• Tell your doctor and pharmacist if you have a history of heart disease, heart attack, stroke, or other heart problems.
• Tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are pregnant, planning for amil, or are breastfeeding.
• Tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are going to have surgery in the near future, including dental surgery.

Another thing to note

While using this medicine, you may experience impaired blood circulation which can cause tingling, pain, or discoloration in the fingers and toes. If these symptoms persist and get worse, consult a doctor immediately. In essence, see a doctor when you experience unusual or debilitating symptoms.

Methylphenidate is a drug that can cause addiction. Therefore, use this drug regularly with the right dosage according to what your doctor recommends. Do not attempt to reduce and increase the dose yourself without your doctor's permission.

In addition, it is important to understand that this medicine should not be used in children who are under 6 years of age. As parents, be careful when giving medicines to children. Always consult a doctor before you give any type of medicine to a child.

Finally, in addition to regularly taking this drug, people with ADHD also need to do counseling and other special therapies. Make sure to follow all the doctor's and therapist's advice.

Doctors can change the dose of the drug several times and keep taking the medication as they are recommended.

Is Methylphenidate safe for pregnant and lactating women?

There are no adequate studies regarding the risks of using this drug in pregnant or breastfeeding women. Always consult your doctor to weigh the potential benefits and risks before using this medication.

This drug is included in the risk of pregnancy category C according to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the United States, or the equivalent of the Food and Drug Administration (BPOM) in Indonesia.

The following references the pregnancy risk categories according to the FDA:

• A = Not at risk
• B = No risk in several studies
• C = May be risky
• D = There is positive evidence of risk
• X = Contraindicated
• N = Unknown

This medicine passes into breast milk and can harm the baby. That is why you should not breastfeed while being treated with this medicine.

In principle, always consult your doctor or midwife before using any medicine, if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning a pregnancy. This is done to prevent various dangerous side effects that can be fatal.

Methylphenidate Drug Interactions

What medicines may interact with Methylphenidate?

Drug interactions can change the performance of your medications or increase the risk of serious side effects. Not all possible drug interactions are listed in this article.

Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription / non-prescription drugs and herbal products) and consult your doctor or pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any medication without your doctor's approval

A number of drugs that have the potential to cause negative interactions with Methylphenidate are:

• Monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors, including isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam, Zelapar), and tranylcypromine (Parnate)
• Anticoagulants (blood thinners) such as warfarin
• Antidepressants such as clomipramine (Anafranil), desipramine (Norpramin), and imipramine (Tofranil)
• Cold or allergy medicine that contains decongestants
• Medication for high blood pressure
• Medicines for seizures such as phenobarbital, phenytoin (Dilantin), and primidone (Mysoline)
• Methyldopa (Aldomet)
• Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) such as citalopram (Celexa), escitalopram (Lexapro), fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem, at Symbyax), fluvoxamine (Luvox), paroxetine (Paxil), and sertraline (Zoloft)
• Venlafaxine (Effexor)
• Antacids

There may be other drugs that have not been mentioned above. Please consult a doctor for more information.

Can food or alcohol interact with Methylphenidate?

Certain drugs should not be used with meals or when eating certain foods because drug interactions can occur. Consuming alcohol or tobacco with certain drugs can also cause interactions to occur. Discuss your use of drugs with food, alcohol, or tobacco with your health care provider.

What health conditions may interact with Methylphenidate?

The presence of other health problems in your body may affect the use of this drug. Tell your doctor if you have other health problems, such as:

• Chronic anxiety disorder
• Chronic depression
• Glaucoma
• Motor tics (repetitive muscle movements)
• History of Tourette's syndrome
• Drug and alcohol abuse
• Angina pectoris (chest pain)
• Arrhythmias (heart rhythm problems)
• Fractus intolerance
• Glucose-galactose malabsorption
• Just had a heart attack
• Heart failure
• Hypertension (high blood pressure)
• Hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid)
• Bipolar disorder
• Blood vessel disorders (for example, Raynaud's disease)
• Coronary artery disease
• Stroke, history
• Cystic fibrosis
• Bowel obstruction
• Peritonitis
• Short bowel syndrome

There may be many other medical conditions that have not been mentioned above. Therefore, it is important to tell your doctor and pharmacist about all medical history you have. Including a history of illness that is owned by parents or closest family. This simple information can make it easier for your doctor to change the dose or even change to another drug that is safer and more suitable for your condition.

Methylphenidate overdose

What to do in an emergency or overdose?

In case of an emergency or overdose, contact the emergency medical services provider (119) or immediately to the nearest hospital emergency department.

When someone has an overdose, they will usually experience typical symptoms such as:

• Too low blood pressure (hypotension) which makes the head dizzy
• Hallucinations (seeing things or hearing voices that are not there)
• Fast and irregular heartbeat
• Slower than normal heart rate
• The face warms up or turns red
• Uncontrollable shaking of body parts
• Seizures
• Loss of consciousness or fainting

What should I do if I forget to take medicine or forget to take medicine?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, if you just remember when it's time for the next dose, just ignore the missed dose, and continue taking it as scheduled. Do not use this medication in double doses.

Hello Health Group does not provide medical consultation, diagnosis or treatment.