Methylphenidate belongs to the family of medications known as stimulants. It is used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and narcolepsy (uncontrollable need to sleep). It helps to increase attention and decrease restlessness in children and adults who have been diagnosed with ADHD.
Other measures (e.g., psychological, educational, and social therapies) are used along with methylphenidate as part of an overall treatment program for ADHD. This medication also helps to stimulate people with narcolepsy so that they do not fall asleep at inappropriate times.
This medication may be available under multiple brand names and/or in several different forms. Any specific brand name of this medication may not be available in all of the forms or approved for all of the conditions discussed here. As well, some forms of this medication may not be used for all of the conditions discussed here.
Your doctor may have suggested this medication for conditions other than those listed in these drug information articles. If you have not discussed this with your doctor or are not sure why you are taking this medication, speak to your doctor. Do not stop taking this medication without consulting your doctor.
Do not give this medication to anyone else, even if they have the same symptoms as you do. It can be harmful for people to take this medication if their doctor has not prescribed it.
The dose of methylphenidate needs to be individualized according to the needs of the person taking the medication. The dose is usually started low and increased gradually to the dose that works best for the person.
The usual starting dose for this medication is 5 mg to 10 mg, taken 2 or 3 times daily. Doses above 60 mg daily are not recommended. If symptoms worsen or if side effects occur, contact your doctor for further instruction. In many cases for children, the medication does not need to be continued after puberty.
Take methylphenidate with or shortly after a meal or snack.
If you are taking the sustained-release (SR) tablets, swallow the medication whole and do not crush or split the tablets.
Many things can affect the dose of medication that a person needs, such as body weight, other medical conditions, and other medications. If your doctor has recommended a dose different from the ones above, do not change the way that you are taking the medication without consulting your doctor.
It is important to take this medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor. If you miss a dose, take it as soon as possible and continue with your regular schedule. Avoid taking this medication late in the day, as it may cause difficulty sleeping. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one. If you are not sure what to do after missing a dose, contact your doctor or pharmacist for advice.
Store this medication at room temperature, protect it from light and moisture, and keep it out of the reach of children.
Do not dispose of medications in wastewater (e.g. down the sink or in the toilet) or in household garbage. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medications that are no longer needed or have expired.
Each round, peach, flat-faced, bevelled-edge tablet, engraved "APO" on one side and "MTP" over "5" on the other side, contains methylphenidate HCl 5 mg. Nonmedicinal ingredients: anhydrous lactose, magnesium stearate, and sunset yellow aluminum lake 40%.
Each pale green, round, flat-faced, bevelled-edge tablet, scored and identified "MET" over "10" on one side and "APO" on the other, contains methylphenidate HCl 10 mg. Nonmedicinal ingredients: anhydrous lactose, D&C Yellow No. 10 Aluminum Lake, FD&C Blue No. 1, and magnesium stearate.
Each pale yellow, round, flat-faced, bevelled-edge tablet, scored and identified "MET" over "20" on one side and "APO" on the other, contains methylphenidate HCl 20 mg. Nonmedicinal ingredients: anhydrous lactose, D&C Yellow No. 10 Aluminum Lake, and magnesium stearate.