Ritalin (Methylphenidate Hcl) Drug Information: Description, User Reviews, Drug Side Effects, Interactions

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February 8, 2012

Ritalin

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What are ADHD medications and how do they work?

ADHD medications are drugs used to treat some of the characteristic behaviors associated with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, including inattention, hyperactivity, and poor impulse control.

Drugs used to treat ADHD target chemicals in the brain known as neurotransmitters. One type of ADHD medication works by increasing levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine. Another type of ADHD drug increases the level of another neurotransmitter, norepinephrine.

ADHD drug treatment should begin only after a specific diagnosis of ADHD has been made. A clinical diagnosis requires that symptoms have persisted for at least six months. There is no blood test or radiological scan that can diagnose ADHD.

Most children with ADHD are diagnosed in preschool or early in elementary school. It's estimated that up to 7%-8% of school-age children in the United States have ADHD. In addition, it may be present ...

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Ritalin®
(methylphenidate hydrochloride) Tablets USP

Ritalin-SR®
(methylphenidate hydrochloride) USP Sustained-Release Tablets

DRUG DESCRIPTION

Ritalin hydrochloride, methylphenidate hydrochloride USP, is a mild central nervous system (CNS) stimulant, available as tablets of 5,10, and 20 mg for oral administration; Ritalin (methylphenidate hcl) -SR is available as sustained-release tablets of 20 mg for oral administration. Methylphenidate hydrochloride is methyl α-phenyl-2-piperidineacetate hydrochloride, and its structural formula is

Ritalin®
hydrochlondemethylphenidate hydrochloride tablets Structural Formula Illustration

Methylphenidate hydrochloride USP 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 molecular weight is 269.77.

Inactive Ingredients

Ritalin (methylphenidate hcl) tablets: D&C Yellow No. 10 (5-mg and 20-mg tablets), FD&C Green No. 3 (10-mg tablets), lactose, magnesium stearate, polyethylene glycol, starch (5-mg and 10-mg tablets), sucrose, talc, and tragacanth (20-mg tablets).

Ritalin (methylphenidate hcl) -SR tablets: Cellulose compounds, cetostearyl alcohol, lactose, magnesium stearate, mineral oil, povidone, titanium dioxide, and zein.

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 hcl (Ritalin)?

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: 1/31/2011
This monograph has been modified to include the generic and brand name in many instances.