Ritalin LA (Methylphenidate Hydrochloride Extended-Release Capsules) Drug Information: Medication Guide and Patient Information

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May 27, 2012

Ritalin LA

Adult ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) »

What Is Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)?

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most well-recognized childhood developmental problems. This condition is characterized by inattention, hyperactivity and impulsiveness. It is now known that these symptoms continue into adulthood for about 60% of children with ADHD. That translates into 4% of the US adult population, or 8 million adults. However, few adults are identified or treated for adult ADHD.

ADHD in Adults

Adults with ADHD may have difficulty following directions, remembering information, concentrating, organizing tasks or completing work within time limits. If these difficulties are not managed appropriately, they can cause associated behavioral, emotional, social, vocational and academic problems.

Adult ADHD Stats

ADHD afflicts approximately 3% to 5% of school-age children and an es...

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Ritalin LA

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PATIENT INFORMATION

RITALIN LA®
(methylphenidate hydrochloride) extended-release capsules

Read the Medication Guide that comes with RITALIN LA® (methylphenidate hydrochloride extended-release capsules) 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 RITALIN LA® (methylphenidate hydrochloride extended-release capsules) .

What is the most important information I should know about RITALIN LA®?

The following have been reported with use of methylphenidate hydrochloride 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 RITALIN LA® (methylphenidate hydrochloride extended-release capsules) .

Your doctor should check your or your child's blood pressure and heart rate regularly during treatment with RITALIN LA® (methylphenidate hydrochloride extended-release capsules) .

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 RITALIN LA® (methylphenidate hydrochloride extended-release capsules) .

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 RITALIN LA® (methylphenidate hydrochloride extended-release capsules) , especially seeing or hearing things that are not real, believing things that are not real, or are suspicious.

What Is RITALIN LA® (methylphenidate hydrochloride extended-release capsules) ?

RITALIN LA® (methylphenidate hydrochloride extended-release capsules) is a central nervous system stimulant prescription medicine. It is used for the treatment of Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). RITALIN LA® (methylphenidate hydrochloride extended-release capsules) may help increase attention and decrease impulsiveness and hyperactivity in patients with ADHD.

RITALIN LA® (methylphenidate hydrochloride extended-release capsules) should be used as a part of a total treatment program for ADHD that may include counseling or other therapies.

RITALIN LA® (methylphenidate hydrochloride extended-release capsules) is a federally controlled substance (CII) because it can be abused or lead to dependence. Keep RITALIN LA® (methylphenidate hydrochloride extended-release capsules) in a safe place to prevent misuse and abuse. Selling or giving away RITALIN LA® (methylphenidate hydrochloride extended-release capsules) 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 RITALIN LA® (methylphenidate hydrochloride extended-release capsules) ?

RITALIN LA® (methylphenidate hydrochloride extended-release capsules) 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.
are taking or have taken within the past 14 days an anti-depression medicine called a monoamine oxidase inhibitor or MAOI.
are allergic to anything in RITALIN LA® (methylphenidate hydrochloride extended-release capsules) . See the end of this Medication Guide for a complete list of ingredients.

RITALIN LA® (methylphenidate hydrochloride extended-release capsules) should not be used in children less than 6 years old because it has not been studied in this age group.

RITALIN LA® (methylphenidate hydrochloride extended-release capsules) may not be right for you or your child. Before starting RITALIN LA® (methylphenidate hydrochloride extended-release capsules) 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 breast-feeding. Can RITALIN LA® (methylphenidate hydrochloride extended-release capsules) 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. RITALIN LA® (methylphenidate hydrochloride extended-release capsules) 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 RITALIN LA® (methylphenidate hydrochloride extended-release capsules) .

Your doctor will decide whether RITALIN LA® (methylphenidate hydrochloride extended-release capsules) 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
stomach acid 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 RITALIN LA® (methylphenidate hydrochloride extended-release capsules) without talking to your doctor first.

How should RITALIN LA® (methylphenidate hydrochloride extended-release capsules) be taken?

Take RITALIN LA® (methylphenidate hydrochloride extended-release capsules) exactly as prescribed. Your doctor may adjust the dose until it is right for you or your child.
Take RITALIN LA® (methylphenidate hydrochloride extended-release capsules) once a day in the morning. RITALIN LA® (methylphenidate hydrochloride extended-release capsules) is an extended-release capsule. It releases medicine into your body throughout the day.
Swallow RITALIN LA® (methylphenidate hydrochloride extended-release capsules) capsules whole with water or other liquids. If you cannot swallow the capsule, open it and sprinkle the medicine over a spoonful of applesauce. Swallow the applesauce and medicine mixture without chewing. Follow with a drink of water or other liquid. Never chew or crush the capsule or the medicine inside the capsule.
From time to time, your doctor may stop RITALIN LA® (methylphenidate hydrochloride extended-release capsules) treatment for a while to check ADHD symptoms.
Your doctor may do regular checks of the blood, heart, and blood pressure while taking RITALIN LA® (methylphenidate hydrochloride extended-release capsules) . Children should have their height and weight checked often while taking RITALIN LA® (methylphenidate hydrochloride extended-release capsules) . RITALIN LA® (methylphenidate hydrochloride extended-release capsules) treatment may be stopped if a problem is found during these check-ups.
If you or your child takes too much RITALIN LA® (methylphenidate hydrochloride extended-release capsules) or overdoses, call your doctor or poison control center right away, or get emergency treatment.

What are possible side effects of RITALIN LA® (methylphenidate hydrochloride extended-release capsules) ?

See "What is the most important information I should know about RITALIN LA®" 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:

headache
stomach ache
decreased appetite
trouble sleeping

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 RITALIN LA® (methylphenidate hydrochloride extended-release capsules) ?

Store RITALIN LA® (methylphenidate hydrochloride extended-release capsules) in a safe place at room temperature, 59 to 86° F (15 to 30° C).
Keep RITALIN LA® (methylphenidate hydrochloride extended-release capsules) and all medicines out of the reach of children.

General information about RITALIN LA® (methylphenidate hydrochloride extended-release capsules)

Medicines are sometimes prescribed for purposes other than those listed in a Medication Guide. Do not use RITALIN LA® (methylphenidate hydrochloride extended-release capsules) for a condition for which it was not prescribed. Do not give RITALIN LA® (methylphenidate hydrochloride extended-release capsules) 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 RITALIN LA® (methylphenidate hydrochloride extended-release capsules) . If you would like more information, talk with your doctor. You can ask your doctor or pharmacist for information about RITALIN LA® (methylphenidate hydrochloride extended-release capsules) that was written for healthcare professionals. For more information about RITALIN LA® (methylphenidate hydrochloride extended-release capsules) call 1-888-669-6682.

What are the ingredients in RITALIN LA® (methylphenidate hydrochloride extended-release capsules) ?

Active Ingredient: methylphenidate HCL

Inactive Ingredients: ammonio methacrylate copolymer, black iron oxide (10 and 40 mg capsules only), gelatin, methacrylic acid copolymer, polyethylene glycol, red iron oxide (10 and 40 mg capsules only), sugar spheres, talc, titanium dioxide, triethyl citrate, and yellow iron oxide (10, 30, and 40 mg capsules).

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

This Medication Guide has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Last reviewed on RxList: 2/1/2011
This monograph has been modified to include the generic and brand name in many instances.