Methylphenidate
About
Methylphenidate belongs to a group of medicines called 'central nervous system stimulant' used to improve wakefulness in adult patients with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) (overactive and short attention span) and narcolepsy (excessive and uncontrollable daytime sleepiness). ADHD is a chronic condition that mainly affects the child's behaviour, in which a child faces difficulty in paying attention or face hyperactivity (moving constantly), and impulsivity (rapid action). Narcolepsy is a medical condition in which a person faces excessive daytime sleepiness and face sleep attacks that make a person fall asleep suddenly in inappropriate situations.
Methylphenidate contains 'Methylphenidate' which is responsible for improving ADHD, and narcolepsy. It works by enhancing the amount of a chemical messenger known as 'dopamine' in the brain, which controls our body's sleep-wake cycle. It reduces the reuptake of dopamine into nerves. Dopamine is a chemical neurotransmitter that is used by nerves for communication purposes.
Take Methylphenidate as prescribed by your doctor. You are advised to take Methylphenidate for as long as your doctor has prescribed it for you depending on your medical condition. In some cases, you may experience certain common side effects such as headache, fast heartbeat, diarrhoea, back pain, feeling anxious, nausea, trouble sleeping, feeling nervous, dizziness, stuffy nose, and upset stomach. However, consult with your doctor if the symptoms continue for more than days or become severe, then immediately seek medical attention.
Methylphenidate is only a part of a treatment program, that involves psychological, educational, and social therapy. The use of Methylphenidate is not allowed in persons who are allergic to any of its constituent presents in it, so tell your doctor before taking this medicine. This medicine can affect children's growth and consult with your doctor if your child is not growing at a normal rate. A pregnant woman or thinking to be pregnant or breastfeeding or planning to be pregnant should consult with a doctor before taking this medicine. Tell your doctor if you had heart problems or high blood pressure or depression, low mood, anxiety, psychosis, before taking this medicine. A person should tell their doctor if they have glaucoma, a personal or family history of tics (muscle twitches), severe anxiety, tension, or agitation (stimulant medicine can make these symptoms worse) as this medicine can not be used in these conditions.
Uses of Methylphenidate
Medicinal Benefits
Methylphenidate belongs to the category of the stimulant indicated to improve wakefulness in persons who feel very sleepy due to Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and narcolepsy. It is suggested to children and young persons between 6-18 years of age. Methylphenidate is prescribed only after trying treatments that do not involve any type of medicine like behavioral therapy and counseling. Methylphenidate works by increasing the amount of a chemical known as dopamine in the brain by reducing the reabsorption of dopamine into nerves. Dopamine is a chemical neurotransmitter that is used by nerves to send signals for communication purposes. In this way, it helps a person to stay awake during the day, improves attention span, concentration and reduce impulsive behaviour.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Methylphenidate
- Headache
- Diarrhoea
- Uneven heartbeats
- Change in blood pressure
- Back pain
- Feeling anxious
- Nausea
- Trouble sleeping
- Feeling nervous
- Dizziness
- Stuffy nose
- Stomach upset
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
A person should tell their doctor if they have glaucoma, a personal or family history of tics (muscle twitches), severe anxiety, tension, or agitation (stimulant medicine can make these symptoms worse) as this medicine can not be used in these conditions. A person should tell their doctor straight away if they are feeling depressed, aggressive towards other people. Tell your doctor if your using Hormonal contraceptives like contraceptive pills as Methylphenidate can reduce their effectiveness and increase pregnancy chances. A pregnant or breastfeeding woman should not use Methylphenidate without asking the doctor. This is a habit-forming medicine, so do not change the dose or use it for a longer time without asking the doctor. If Methylphenidate is using for more than 12 months, your doctor may want to check your height, weight, appetite, heart function, and mental health. Tell your doctor if you are going for an operation as Methylphenidate can not be used on the same day of operation if an anaesthetic is used. There is the possibility of a sudden rise in blood pressure during operation. This medicine will give a positive result if checked for drug use, including testing in sport.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug interactions: Methylphenidate can interact with anti-depressant medications (bupropion, fluoxetine, escitalopram, sertraline).
Drug-Food interactions: A person taking Methylphenidate should avoid taking alcohol that increases this medicine's actions or side effects.
Drug-Disease interactions: To make sure Methylphenidate is safe or you, tell your doctor if you have agitation, cardiac disease, glaucoma, hypertension, liver disease, substance abuse, tics, hypertension, seizures disorders, bipolar disorders, psychiatric disorders, psychotic disorders, renal dysfunction, seizure disorders, hematologic toxicity, and GI narrowing.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeA person should avoid consuming alcohol while taking this medicine as alcohol can worsen the medication's side effects.
Pregnancy
cautionA woman who is pregnant should contact a doctor before taking Methylphenidate as safety and efficacy of Methylphenidate is still not established.
Breast Feeding
unsafeA breastfeeding woman should avoid taking Methylphenidate as it is suspected to pass into breast milk and can affect the baby. Consult a doctor before using Methylphenidate.
Driving
unsafeMethylphenidate may cause problems focusing or have blurred or double vision, blurred vision or dizziness, so a person should not attempt to drive or operate machinery while using Methylphenidate.
Liver
cautionMethylphenidate should only be given to patients dealing with liver disorders if strictly suggested by the doctor. Thus, one should tell their doctor if liver disease history as their doctor will reduce the dose.
Kidney
cautionMethylphenidate should only be given to patients dealing with kidney disorders if strictly suggested by the doctor. Thus, one should tell their doctor if kidney disease history as their doctor will reduce the dose.
Children
safe if prescribedThe use of Methylphenidate is approved in children and young persons of ages 6 to 18 years, as its safety and efficacy have not been established.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Avoid heavy meals that are high in carbohydrates, so include nutritious food in your diet.
- Try to make a regular bedtime and close your light to make the room dark which helps you sleep better.
- Try to avoid heavy meals before bed as it will reduce the chances of acidity, and the person can sleep well.
- Try to take strategic naps throughout the day, which will make you feel refreshed and productive.
- Try to avoid sitting for long periods of time, which increases the chance of sleepiness so stand up and go outside at regular intervals.
Special Advise
Certain diagnostic tests that can help diagnose ADHD and narcolepsy are the polysomnogram (PSG) and the multiple sleep latency tests (MSLT). Methylphenidate can affect your judgment and reaction time, so do not drive a motor vehicle, do hazardous tasks, or operate any heavy machinery after taking Methylphenidate. However, if still, your symptoms do not improve, then consult a doctor. Using CPAP can help you to cope with sleep apnoea problems (breathing trouble affecting sleep).
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
ADHD: Children and young persons dealing with medical conditions often find it hard to sit still and concentrate. It is a chronic condition that interferes with the functioning or development of the child. Children dealing with this disease often face difficulty sustaining focus (Inattention), constant movements or excessively fidgets, taps, or talks (Hyperactivity), and hasty actions which can be harmful, and occur at the moment without first thinking about them (Impulsivity). Narcolepsy: It is a medical condition of the nervous system that causes excessive sleepiness during the daytime and makes a person fall asleep in suddenly inappropriate situations (sleep attacks). A person dealing with this disease can face symptoms like falling asleep in mid of a conversation, sleep paralysis (feeling paralyzed during sleep), hypnogogic hallucinations (hallucinations before you fall asleep), and hypnopompic hallucinations (hallucinations occurring in the middle of the night).
FAQs
If a person consumes an overdose of Methylphenidate, they can get sick, restless, confused, agitated, anxious, disorientated, or excited. If you observe any such symptom, kindly report to your doctor as an overdose of this medicine could be fatal.
The use of Methylphenidate is approved in children and young persons of ages 6 to 18 years, as its safety and efficacy have not been established.
A person should tell their doctor if they have glaucoma, a personal or family history of tics (muscle twitches), severe anxiety, tension, or agitation (stimulant medicine can make these symptoms worse) as this medicine can not be used in these conditions.
Persons who have sleep disorders should be extra careful about driving or operating any machine that can be dangerous. Try not to change your daily habits until your doctor tells you to do so.
Methylphenidate is a habit-forming medicine, so never share this medicine with any person who is a history of drug abuse or addiction. Please do not increase the dose of Methylphenidate or use it for a long time to get more effects as it may cause drug with drawl symptoms. In case of stopping Methylphenidate, an individual should consult with their doctor.
It is advised never to take Methylphenidate if you have used any medicine related to MAO inhibitor in the last 14 days as it can cause serious drug interaction. Tell your doctor to befoe taking Methylphenidate.
