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Ritalin
methylphenidate (meh thill FEH nih date)
Concerta, Metadate CD, Metadate ER, Methylin, Methylin ER, Ritalin, Ritalin LA,
Ritalin-SR
What is the most important information I should know about Ritalin?
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Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other
hazardous activities. Ritalin may cause dizziness, drowsiness, blurred
vision, or impair your ability to concentrate. If you experience
dizziness, drowsiness, blurred vision, or impaired concentration, avoid
these activities. |
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Do not crush, chew, or break the sustained- or extended-release
formulations of methylphenidate (Ritalin SR, Ritalin LA, Metadate ER,
Metadate CD, Methylin ER, Concerta). Swallow these whole with water or
another beverage. They are specially formulated to release medication
slowly in the body. Alternatively, the Ritalin LA and Metadate CD
capsules may be opened and the contents sprinkled onto a tablespoon of
applesauce (not warm), and the mixture swallowed immediately. Do not
save the mixture for later use. The capsule contents should be swallowed
whole and not crushed or chewed. |
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Ritalin is a mild stimulant to the central nervous system (brain and
nerves). The exact way that Ritalin works is unknown. |
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Ritalin is used to treat attention deficit disorder (ADD), attention
deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and narcolepsy. |
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Ritalin may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this
medication guide. |
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking
Ritalin?
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Do not take Ritalin if you have taken a monoamine oxidase (MAO)
inhibitor such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), or
tranylcypromine (Parnate) in the last 14 days. |
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Do not take Ritalin without first talking to your doctor if you have |
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severe tension, agitation, or anxiety; |
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motor tics or have been diagnosed with Tourette's syndrome; |
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a psychotic condition such as schizophrenia; |
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epilepsy or another seizure disorder; |
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high blood pressure (hypertension); |
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a history of alcohol or drug abuse; or |
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a narrowing or blockage of your gastrointestinal tract (esophagus,
stomach, or intestines). |
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You may not be able to take Ritalin, or you may require a dosage
adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the
conditions listed above. |
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The use of Ritalin in children may cause suppression of growth. Growth
should be monitored during treatment and children who are not growing or
gaining weight as expected may need to have their treatment interrupted.
Talk to your doctor if you have questions. |
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Ritalin is in the FDA pregnancy category C. This means that it is not
known whether Ritalin will be harmful to an unborn baby. Do not take
Ritalin without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or
could become pregnant during treatment. |
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It is not known whether Ritalin passes into breast milk. Do not take
Ritalin without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a
baby. |
How should I take Ritalin?
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Take Ritalin exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not
understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to
explain the instructions to you. |
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Take each dose with a full glass (8 ounces) of water. Taking this
product without adequate liquid may cause it to swell and could lead to
choking. |
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Take each dose of Ritalin or Methylin 30 to 45 minutes before a meal. |
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Chew the chewable tablets thoroughly before swallowing. |
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The sustained-release forms of methylphenidate (Ritalin-SR, Metadate
ER, Metadate CD, Methylin ER, Concerta) can be taken with or without
food. |
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Do not crush, chew, or break the sustained- or extended-release
formulations of methylphenidate (Ritalin SR, Ritalin LA, Metadate ER,
Metadate CD, Methylin ER, Concerta). Swallow these whole with water or
another beverage. They are specially formulated to release medication
slowly in the body. Alternatively, the Ritalin LA and Metadate CD
capsules may be opened and the contents sprinkled onto a tablespoon of
applesauce (not warm), and the mixture swallowed immediately. Do not
save the mixture for later use. The capsule contents should be swallowed
whole and not crushed or chewed. |
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If you are taking Concerta, do not be alarmed if you see in your stool
what looks like a tablet. This is the outer shell of the tablet, the
medication has been absorbed by your body. |
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Store Ritalin at room temperature away from moisture and heat. |
What happens if I miss a dose?
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Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost
time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and take only the next
regularly schedule dose unless otherwise directed by your doctor. Do
not take a double dose of this medication. |
What happens if I overdose?
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Seek emergency medical attention. |
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Symptoms of a Ritalin overdose include agitation, tremors (shaking),
muscle twitches, seizures, confusion, hallucinations, sweating, flushing,
headache, fast or irregular heartbeat, large pupils, and dryness of the
mouth and eyes. |
What should I avoid while taking Ritalin?
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Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other
hazardous activities. Ritalin may cause dizziness, drowsiness, blurred
vision, or impair your ability to concentrate. If you experience
dizziness, drowsiness, blurred vision, or impaired concentration, avoid
these activities. |
What are the possible side effects of Ritalin?
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If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop
taking Ritalin and seek emergency medical attention or contact your
doctor immediately: |
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an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat;
swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives); |
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an irregular or fast heartbeat; |
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chest pains or very high blood pressure (blurred vision, severe
headache, flushing); |
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unusual behavior or confusion; or |
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liver damage (yellowing of the skin or eyes, nausea, abdominal pain or
discomfort, unusual bleeding or bruising, severe fatigue). |
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Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue
to take Ritalin and talk to your doctor if you experience |
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insomnia (difficulty sleeping); |
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tics (repetitive movements); |
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abdominal pain, nausea, or vomiting; |
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decreased appetite or weight loss; or |
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slower weight gain and/or growth. |
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Ritalin may cause drug dependence. |
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Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your
doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially
bothersome. |
What other drugs will affect Ritalin?
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Do not take Ritalin if you have taken a monoamine oxidase (MAO)
inhibitor such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), or
tranylcypromine (Parnate) in the last 14 days. |
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Before taking Ritalin, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the
following medicines: |
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phenobarbital (Luminal, Solfoton); |
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a tricyclic antidepressant such as nortriptyline (Pamelor),
amitriptyline (Elavil, Endep), doxepin (Sinequan), desipramine (Norpramin),
clomipramine (Anafranil), or imipramine (Tofranil); |
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a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor such as fluoxetine (Prozac),
fluvoxamine (Luvox), paroxetine (Paxil), or sertraline (Zoloft); |
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clonidine (Catapres); or |
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guanethidine (Ismelin). |
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You may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring if you are
taking any of the medicines listed above. |
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Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with Ritalin.
Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or
over-the-counter medicines, including herbal products. |
Where can I get more information?
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Your pharmacist has more information about Ritalin written for health
professionals that you may read. |
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Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of
children, never share your medicines with others, and use this
medication only for the indication prescribed. |
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Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by
Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete,
but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained
herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for
use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and
therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States
are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug
information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend
therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed
to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients
and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and
not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of
healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or
drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug
or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given
patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of
healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The
information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses,
directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions,
or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking,
check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.
Click here for more information on Ritalin
from the manufacturer.
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