Methylphenidate : Before Using - Concerta, Metadate CD, Ritalin, Ritalin-SR, PMS-Methylphenidate, Riphenidate, Ritalin SR

Methylphenidate - Systemic

Brand Names

Concerta, Metadate CD, Ritalin, Ritalin-SR, PMS-Methylphenidate, Riphenidate, Ritalin SR Methylphenidate *** Before Using *** How to Use *** Fore Safe Use *** Side Effects *** Additional Information

Before Using

In deciding to using a medication, the chance of taking the drug must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you will make. For methylphenidate, the following must be considered

Allergic reaction

Tell your family doctor if you have any unusual or allergy to methylphenidate. Also tell your health care professional if you are allergic to any other substances, such as foods, preservatives, or dyes.

Pregnancy care

Studies on effects in pregnancy have not been done in either humans or pets.

Breast-feeding problem

It is not known whether methylphenidate passes into breast milk. Although most medication pass into breast milk in small amounts, many of them may be using safely while breast-feeding. Mothers who are taking this drug and who wish to breast-feed must discuss this with the family doctor.

Use for Children

Loss of appetite, trouble in sleeping, stomach pain, fast heartbeat and weight loss may be especially likely to occur in child, who are usually more sensitive than adults to the effects of methylphenidate. Some children who using medication like methylphenidate for a long time grew more slowly than expected. It is not known whether long-term use of methylphenidate causes slowed growth. The family doctor must regularly measure the height and weight of children who are taking methylphenidate. Some family doctors recommend stopping treat with methylphenidate during times when the child is not under stress, such as on weekends.

Elderly care

Many medication have not been studied specifically in elderly people. Therefore, it may not be known whether they work exactly the same way they do in adults people or if they cause various side effects or problems in elderly people. There is no special info comparing use of methylphenidate in the elderly with use in other age groups.

Drug interactions

Although certain medication must not be using together at all, in other cases two various medication may be using together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your family doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking methylphenidate, it is especially important that your health care professional know if you are taking any of the following:

Amantadine - Symmetrel
Amphetamines
Appetite suppressants - diet pills
Bupropion - Wellbutrin, Zyban
Caffeine - NoDoz
Chlophedianol - Ulone
Cocaine
Medicine for asthma or other breathing problems
Medicine for colds, sinus problems, hay fever or other allergies - including nose drops or sprays
Nabilone - Cesamet
Pemoline - Cylert Using these medication with methylphenidate may cause severe nervousness, irritability, trouble in sleeping, or possibly irregular heartbeat or seizures

Monoamine oxidase - MAO inhibitor activity - isocarboxazid " Marplan ", phenelzine " Nardil ", procarbazine " Matulane ", selegiline " Eldepryl ", tranylcypromine " Parnate " Taking methylphenidate while you are taking or less than 2 weeks after taking an MAO inhibitor may cause sudden extremely high blood pressure and severe convulsions; at least 14 days must be allowed between stopping treat with an MAO inhibitor and starting treat with methylphenidate

Pimozide - Orap Pimozide is not using to treat tics that are causing by medication. Before tics are treated with pimozide, the family doctor must find out if the tics are causing by methylphenidate

Other Information for using

The presence of other medical problems may effect the use of methylphenidate. Make sure you tell your family doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

Alcohol abuse - or history of
Drug abuse or dependence - or history of Dependence on methylphenidate may be more likely to develop

Epilepsy or other seizure disorders The risk of having convulsions - seizures may be increased

Gilles de la Tourette's disorder - or family history of
Glaucoma
High blood pressure
Psychosis
Severe anxiety, agitation, tension, or depression
Tics - other than Tourette's disorder Methylphenidate may make the condition worse