What is the most important information I should know about methylphenidate?

Do not use methylphenidate if you have used an MAO inhibitor such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), tranylcypromine (Parnate), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), or selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam) within the past 14 days. Serious, life-threatening side effects can occur if you use methylphenidate before the MAO inhibitor has cleared from your body. Do not use this medication if you are allergic to methylphenidate or if you have glaucoma, tics (muscle twitches) or Tourette's syndrome, depression, or severe anxiety, tension, or agitation (methylphenidate can make these symptoms worse). Methylphenidate may be habit-forming and should be used only by the person it was prescribed for. Keep track of how many pills have been used from each new bottle you receive. Methylphenidate is a drug of abuse and you should be aware if any person in the household is using this medicine improperly or without a prescription.

What is methylphenidate?

Methylphenidate is a central nervous system stimulant. It affects chemicals in the brain and nerves that contribute to hyperactivity and impulse control.

Methylphenidate is used to treat attention deficit disorder (ADD), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and narcolepsy.

Methylphenidate may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking methylphenidate?

Do not take methylphenidate if you have used an MAO inhibitor such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), tranylcypromine (Parnate), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), or selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam) within the past 14 days. Serious, life-threatening side effects can occur if you use methylphenidate before the MAO inhibitor has cleared from your body.

Do not use this medication if you are allergic to methylphenidate or if you have:

• glaucoma;

• a personal or family history of tics (muscle twitches) or Tourette's syndrome; or

• severe anxiety, tension, or agitation (methylphenidate can make these symptoms worse).

Some stimulants have caused sudden death in children and adolescents with serious heart problems or congenital heart defects.

Before using methylphenidate, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:

• a congenital heart defect;

• high blood pressure;

• heart failure, heart rhythm disorder, or recent heart attack;

• a personal or family history of mental illness, psychotic disorder, bipolar illness, depression, or suicide attempt;

• epilepsy or other seizure disorder; or

• a history of drug or alcohol addiction.

If you have any of these conditions, you may not be able to use methylphenidate, or you may need a dosage adjustment or special tests during treatment.

FDA pregnancy category C. This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. It is not known whether methylphenidate passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Long-term use of methylphenidate can slow a child's growth. Tell your doctor if the child using this medication is not growing or gaining weight properly.

Do not give methylphenidate to a child younger than 6 years old without the advice of a doctor.

How should I take methylphenidate?

Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

Take this medicine with a full glass (8 ounces) of water. Take this medication at least 30 minutes before a meal. The extended-release forms of methylphenidate (Ritalin-SR, Metadate ER, Metadate CD, Methylin ER, Concerta) can be taken with or without food. Do not crush, chew, break, or open an extended-release tablet or capsule. Swallow the pill whole. It is specially made to release medicine slowly in the body. Breaking or opening the pill would cause too much of the drug to be released at one time.

The chewable tablet form of methylphenidate must be chewed before you swallow it.

You may open the extended-release capsule and sprinkle the medicine into a spoonful of applesauce to make swallowing easier. Swallow this mixture right away without chewing. Do not save the mixture for later use. Discard the empty capsule.

To prevent sleep problems, take this medication early in the day, no later than 6:00 pm.

Store methylphenidate at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Methylphenidate may be habit-forming and should be used only by the person it was prescribed for. Keep track of how many pills have been used from each new bottle you receive. Methylphenidate is a drug of abuse and you should be aware if any person in the household is using this medicine improperly or without a prescription.