Methylphenidate Hydrochloride CD

Methylphenidate is used to treat attention deficit disorder (ADD), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and narcolepsy.

Methylphenidate may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Do not use methylphenidate if you have used an MAO inhibitor in the past 14 days. A dangerous drug interaction could occur. MAO inhibitors include isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue injection, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, tranylcypromine, and others.

You may not be able to use methylphenidate if you are allergic to it, or if you have:

• glaucoma;
• a personal or family history of tics (muscle twitches) or Tourette's syndrome; or
• severe anxiety, tension, or agitation (stimulant medicine can make these symptoms worse).

Stimulants have caused stroke, heart attack, and sudden death in certain people. Tell your doctor if you have:

• heart problems or a congenital heart defect;
• high blood pressure; or
• a family history of heart disease or sudden death.

Tell your doctor if you or anyone in your family has ever had:

• depression, mental illness, bipolar disorder, psychosis, or suicidal thoughts or actions;
• motor tics (muscle twitches) or Tourette's syndrome;
• blood circulation problems in the hands or feet;
• seizures or epilepsy;
• problems with the esophagus, stomach, or intestines;
• an abnormal brain wave test (EEG); or
• drug or alcohol addiction.

It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

If you are pregnant, your name may be listed on a pregnancy registry to track the effects of methylphenidate on the baby.

It may not be safe to breastfeed a baby while you are using this medicine. Ask your doctor about any risks.

Methylphenidate is not approved for use by anyone younger than 6 years old.

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

Your dose needs may change if you switch to a different brand, strength, or form of this medicine. Avoid medication errors by using only the form and strength your doctor prescribes.

Methylphenidate may be habit-forming. Never share this medicine with another person, especially someone with a history of drug abuse or addiction. Keep the medication in a place where others cannot get to it. Selling or giving away this medicine is against the law.

To prevent sleep problems, take this medicine in the morning.

Follow the directions on your medicine label about taking methylphenidate with or without food.

Swallow the extended-release capsule or tablet whole and do not crush, chew, or break it.

To make swallowing easier, you may open the capsule and sprinkle the medicine into a spoonful of pudding or applesauce. Swallow right away without chewing. Do not save the mixture for later use.

The chewable tablet must be chewed before you swallow it.

Measure liquid medicine carefully. Use the dosing syringe provided, or use a medicine dose-measuring device (not a kitchen spoon).

To take the orally disintegrating tablet (ODT):

• Remove a tablet from its blister pack only when you are ready to take the tablet. Use dry hands and take care not to damage a tablet while pushing it out of the blister.
• Place the tablet in your mouth and allow it to dissolve, without chewing or swallowing it whole. You may sip liquid if needed to help swallow the dissolved tablet.

Your doctor will need to check your progress on a regular basis. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using this medicine.

If you need surgery, tell your surgeon you currently use this medicine. You may need to stop for a short time.

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

Keep track of your medicine. Methylphenidate is a drug of abuse and you should be aware if anyone is using it improperly or without a prescription.

Use the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is later than 6:00 p.m. Do not use two doses at one time.

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222. An overdose of methylphenidate could be fatal.

Avoid drinking alcohol. Alcohol may cause extended-release methylphenidate to be released into the bloodstream too fast.

Avoid driving or hazardous activity until you know how this medicine will affect you. Your reactions could be impaired.

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

Call your doctor at once if you have:

• signs of heart problems--chest pain, trouble breathing, feeling like you might pass out;
• signs of psychosis--hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that are not real), new behavior problems, aggression, hostility, paranoia;
• signs of circulation problems--numbness, pain, cold feeling, unexplained wounds, or skin color changes (pale, red, or blue appearance) in your fingers or toes; or
• penis erection that is painful or lasts 4 hours or longer (rare).

Methylphenidate can affect growth in children. Tell your doctor if your child is not growing at a normal rate while using this medicine.

Common side effects may include:

• excessive sweating;
• mood changes, feeling nervous or irritable, sleep problems (insomnia);
• fast heart rate, pounding heartbeats or fluttering in your chest, increased blood pressure;
• loss of appetite, weight loss;
• dry mouth, nausea, stomach pain; or
• headache.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Other drugs may affect methylphenidate, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any medicine you start or stop using.

Your pharmacist can provide more information about methylphenidate.