MEDICATION GUIDE
METADATE® ER
(methylphenidate HCl extended-release tablets, USP) Tablets CII
Read the Medication Guide that comes with METADATE ER before
you or your child starts taking it and each time you get a refill. There may be
new information. This Medication Guide does not take the place of talking to
your doctor about your or your child's treatment with METADATE ER.
What is the most important information I should know
about METADATE ER?
The following have been reported with use of
methylphenidate HCl, USP and other stimulant medicines.
1. Heart-related problems:
- sudden death in patients who have heart problems or heart
defects
- stroke and heart attack in adults
- increased blood pressure and heart rate
Tell your doctor if you or your child have any heart
problems, heart defects, high blood pressure, or a family history of these problems.
Your doctor should check you or your child carefully for
heart problems before starting METADATE ER.
Your doctor should check your or your child's blood pressure
and heart rate regularly during treatment with METADATE ER.
Call your doctor right away if you or your child has any
signs of heart problems such as chest pain, shortness of breath, or fainting
while taking METADATE ER.
2. Mental (Psychiatric) problems:
All Patients
- new or worse behavior and thought problems
- new or worse bipolar illness
- new or worse aggressive behavior or hostility
Children and Teenagers
- new psychotic symptoms (such as hearing voices, believing
things that are not true, are suspicious) or new manic symptoms
Tell your doctor about any mental problems you or your child
have, or about a family history of suicide, bipolar illness, or depression. Call
your doctor right away if you or your child have any new or worsening mental
symptoms or problems while taking METADATE ER, especially seeing or hearing
things that are not real, believing things that are not real, or are
suspicious.
What Is METADATE ER?
METADATE ER is a central nervous system stimulant
prescription medicine. It is used for the treatment of Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity
Disorder (ADHD).
METADATE ER may help increase attention and decrease
impulsiveness and hyperactivity in patients with ADHD.
METADATE ER should be used as a part of a total treatment
program for ADHD that may include counseling or other therapies.
METADATE ER is a federally controlled substance (CII)
because it can be abused or lead to dependence. Keep METADATE ER in a safe
place to prevent misuse and abuse. Selling or giving away METADATE ER may harm
others, and is against the law.
Tell your doctor if you or your child have (or have a
family history of) ever abused or been dependent on alcohol, prescription medicines
or street drugs.
Who should not take METADATE ER?
METADATE ER should not be taken if you or your child:
- are very anxious, tense, or agitated
- have an eye problem called glaucoma
- have tics or Tourette's syndrome, or a family history of
Tourette's syndrome. Tics are hard to control repeated movements or sounds.
- have severe high blood pressure or a heart problem
- have hyperthyroidism
- are taking or have taken within the past 14 days an antidepression
medicine called a monoamine oxidase inhibitor or MAOI.
- are allergic to anything in METADATE ER. See the end of this
Medication Guide for a complete list of ingredients.
METADATE ER should not be used in children less than 6 years
old because it has not been studied in this age group. METADATE ER may not
be right for you or your child. Before starting METADATE ER tell your or your
child's doctor about all health conditions (or a family history of) including:
- heart problems, heart defects, high blood pressure
- mental problems including psychosis, mania, bipolar illness,
or depression
- tics or Tourette's syndrome
- seizures or have had an abnormal brain wave test (EEG)
Tell your doctor if you or your child is pregnant, planning
to become pregnant, or breastfeeding.
Can METADATE ER be taken with other medicines?
Tell your doctor about all of the medicines that you or
your child take including prescription and nonprescription medicines, vitamins,
and herbal supplements. METADATE ER and some medicines may interact with
each other and cause serious side effects. Sometimes the doses of other
medicines will need to be adjusted while taking METADATE ER.
Your doctor will decide whether METADATE ER can be taken
with other medicines.
Especially tell your doctor if you or your child takes:
- anti-depression medicines including MAOIs
- seizure medicines
- blood thinner medicines
- blood pressure medicines
- cold or allergy medicines that contain decongestants
Know the medicines that you or your child takes. Keep a list
of your medicines with you to show your doctor and pharmacist.
Do not start any new medicine while taking METADATE ER
without talking to your doctor first.
How should METADATE ER be taken?
- Take METADATE ER exactly as prescribed. Your doctor
may adjust the dose until it is right for you or your child.
- Take METADATE ER once a day. METADATE ER is an
extended release tablet. It releases medicine into your body throughout the
day.
- Do not chew or crush METADATE ER tablets. Swallow METADATE
ER tablets whole with water or other liquids. Tell your doctor if you or your
child cannot swallow METADATE ER whole. A different medicine may need to be
prescribed.
- From time to time, your doctor may stop METADATE ER
treatment for a while to check ADHD symptoms.
- Your doctor may do regular checks of the blood, heart, and
blood pressure while taking METADATE ER. Children should have their height and
weight checked often while taking METADATE ER. METADATE ER treatment may be
stopped if a problem is found during these check-ups.
- If you or your child takes too much METADATE ER or
overdoses, call your doctor or poison control center right away, or get
emergency treatment.
What are possible side effects of METADATE ER?
See “What is the most important information I should
know about METADATE ER?” for information on reported heart and mental
problems.
Other serious side effects include:
- slowing of growth (height and weight) in children
- seizures, mainly in patients with a history of seizures
- eyesight changes or blurred vision
Common side effects include:
Talk to your doctor if you or your child has side effects
that are bothersome or do not go away.
This is not a complete list of possible side effects. Ask
your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
How should I store METADATE ER?
- Store METADATE ER in a safe place at room temperature, 59 to
86° F (15 to 30° C). Protect from moisture.
- Keep METADATE ER and all medicines out of the reach of
children.
General information about METADATE ER
Medicines are sometimes prescribed for purposes other than
those listed in a Medication Guide. Do not use METADATE ER for a condition for
which it was not prescribed. Do not give METADATE ER to other people, even if they
have the same condition. It may harm them and it is against the law.
This Medication Guide summarizes the most important
information about METADATE ER. If you would like more information, talk with
your doctor. You can ask your doctor or pharmacist for information about
METADATE ER that was written for healthcare professionals. For more information
about METADATE ER call 1-866-822-0068.
What are the ingredients in METADATE ER?
Active Ingredient: methylphenidate HCl
Inactive Ingredients: cetyl alcohol, ethylcellulose,
anhydrous lactose and magnesium stearate.
This Medication Guide has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Last updated on RxList: 5/26/2009