Metadate ER (Methylphenidate Hydrochloride Tablet) Drug Information: Description, User Reviews, Drug Side Effects, Interactions

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February 10, 2012

Metadate ER

Narcolepsy »

What is narcolepsy?

Narcolepsy is a chronic disease of the central nervous system. Excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) is the main symptom and is present in 100% of patients with narcolepsy. Other primary symptoms of narcolepsy include:

loss of muscle tone (cataplexy),
distorted perceptions (hypnagogic hallucinations), and
inability to move or talk (sleep paralysis).

Additional symptoms include disturbed nocturnal sleep and automatic behavior (patients carry out certain actions without conscious awareness). All of the symptoms of narcolepsy may be present in various combinations and degrees of severity.

Narcolepsy usually begins in teenagers or young adults and affects both sexes equally. The first symptom to appear is excessive daytime sleepiness, which may remain unrecognized for a long time in that it develops gradually over time. The other symptoms can follow excessive daytime sleepiness by months...

Read the Narcolepsy article »

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Metadate ER

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METADATE ER
(methylphenidate hydrochloride) Tablet Extended Release

DRUG DESCRIPTION

METADATE ER Tablets (methylphenidate hydrochloride extended-release tablets, USP) are a mild central nervous system (CNS) stimulant. METADATE ER (methylphenidate hydrochloride tablet) is available as extended-release tablets of 10 and 20 mg for oral administration.

Methylphenidate hydrochloride is methyl a-phenyl-2-piperidineacetate hydrochloride, and its structural formula is:

METADATE ER (methylphenidate hydrochloride) Structural Formula Illustration

Methylphenidate hydrochloride is a white, odorless, fine crystalline powder. Its solutions are acid to litmus. It is freely soluble in water and in methanol, soluble in alcohol, and slightly soluble in chloroform and in acetone. Its chemical formula is C₁₄H₁₉NO₂•HCl, and its molecular weight is 269.77.

Inactive Ingredients: Cetyl alcohol, ethylcellulose, anhydrous lactose and magnesium stearate.

What are the possible side effects of methylphenidate?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Stop taking methylphenidate and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

fast, pounding, or uneven heartbeats;
feeling like you might pass out;
fever, sore throat, and headache with a severe blistering, peeling, and red skin rash;
aggression, restlessness, hallucinations, unusual behavior, or motor tics...

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What are the precautions when taking methylphenidate hydrochloride tablet (Metadate ER)?

Before taking methylphenidate, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.

This medication should not be used if you have certain medical conditions. Before using this medicine, consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have: severe anxiety/tension, certain mental/mood conditions (e.g., agitation, psychosis), heart/blood vessel disease (e.g., irregular heartbeat/rhythm, coronary artery disease, angina, heart failure, cardiomyopathy), problems with heart structure (e.g., valve problems), history of heart attack or stroke, glaucoma, motor tics.

Before using this medication, tell your...

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Last reviewed on RxList: 5/26/2009
This monograph has been modified to include the generic and brand name in many instances.