Methylphenidate


Generic Medicine Info
Indications and Dosage
Oral
Hyperactivity disorders
Child: 6-17 yr As immediate-release preparation: Initially, 5 mg once or bid. May increase to 5-10 mg at wkly intervals, if necessary. Max: 60 mg daily in divided doses. Consider a later dose in the evening if the effect wears off. Discontinue periodically to re-evaluate or if there is no improvement w/in 1 mth. Modified-release forms: Dose varies depending on brand.

Oral
Narcolepsy
Adult: 20-30 mg daily in divided doses. Effective dose: 10-60 mg daily.

Transdermal
Hyperactivity disorders
Child: 6-17 yr As patch delivering 1.1-3.3 mg/hr: Apply to hip area once daily in the morning 2 hr before an effect is needed and remove after 9 hr. Start w/ the lowest patch strength, then titrate according to response. Increase at wkly intervals as needed. Max: 3.3 mg/hr (at wk 4).
Administration
tab: Should be taken on an empty stomach. Take 30-45 min before meals.
sustained release tab: May be taken with or without food. Swallow whole, do not divide/chew/crush.
Contraindications
History of marked anxiety, tension, agitation; glaucoma; hyperthyroidism; anorexia; phaeochromocytoma; tics or family history or diagnosis of Tourette's syndrome. Pre-existing CV disorders (e.g. severe HTN, heart failure, angina, MI, arrhythmia); aneurysm; vascular abnormalities. Concomitant or w/in 14 days of MAOI use.
Special Precautions
Patient w/ history of seizure disorder, alcohol or drug abuse. HTN and other CV disorders that might be exacerbated by increases in BP or heart rate; pre-existing psychosis or bipolar disorder. Childn. Pregnancy and lactation.
Adverse Reactions
Abdominal pain, aggression, alopecia, anorexia, arrhythmias, arthralgia, asthenia, changes in BP, cough, depression, diarrhoea, dizziness, dry mouth, dyspepsia, fever, growth restriction, headache, insomnia, irritability, movement disorders, nasopharyngitis, nausea, nervousness, palpitation, pruritus, rash, wt loss, tachycardia, tics, vomiting, confusion, abnormal dreams, constipations, dyspnoea, epistaxis, muscle cramps, suicidal ideation, urinary frequency. Rarely, angina, sweating, visual disturbances, cerebral arteritis, blood disorders, angle-closure glaucoma, seizures, tolerance, MI. Transdermal: Insomnia, decreased appetite; nausea; tic, emotional instability; vomiting, anorexia; nasal congestion, nasopharyngitis; wt loss.
PO/Transdermal: Z (Associated with small increased risk of cardiac malformations. Consider foetal ECG if methylphenidate is required in first trimester.)
Patient Counseling Information
This drug may cause dizziness, drowsiness and visual disturbances, if affected, do not drive or operate machinery. Avoid exposure of application site to any direct external heat source (TTS).
Monitoring Parameters
Monitor pulse, BP, psychiatric symptoms, appetite, wt and height prior to initiation, every dose adjustment and at least 6 mthly. Periodic CBC w/ differential and platelet count during prolonged therapy. Monitor for blisterings or oedema which does not improve w/in 48 hr of patch removal, or spreads beyond patch site.
Overdosage
Symptoms: Vomiting, tremor, agitation, muscle twitching, hyperpyrexia, hallucinations, euphoria, confusions, delirium, sweating, flushing, headache, HTN, dryness of mucous membranes, tachycardia, mydriasis, palpitations. Management: Symptomatic and supportive treatment.
Drug Interactions
May reduce effects of antihypertensive agents. May increase serum levels of phenytoin, TCAs. Risk of sudden BP increase during surgery w/ halogenated anaesth. May enhance the adverse/toxic effects of clonidine.
Potentially Fatal: Increased risk of hypertensive crisis w/ MAOIs.
Food Interaction
Food may increase oral absorption of immediate-release preparations. Alcohol may exacerbate adverse CNS effects.
Lab Interference
False-positive result for amphetamine urine detection test.
Action
Description:
Mechanism of Action: Methylphenidate is a mild CNS stimulant which blocks the reuptake of norepinephrine and dopamine into presynaptic neurons. It also stimulates the cerebral cortex and subcortical structures causing increased sympathomimetic activity.
Onset: 20-60 min (immediate- or extended-release); 60-180 min (sustained-release); 60 min (TTS).
Duration: 3-5 hr (immediate-release); 6-12 hr (extended-release); 2-6 hr (sustained-release); 11-12 hr (TTS).
Pharmacokinetics:
Absorption: Readily absorbed from the GI tract (oral). Food enhances rate of absorption. Time to peak plasma concentration: Approx 2 hr (immediate-release).
Distribution: Distributed into breast milk. Plasma protein binding: 10-33%.
Metabolism: Undergoes extensive first-pass metabolism. Extensively metabolised via de-esterification by carboxylesterase CES1A1 to ritanilic acid.
Excretion: Via urine (90% as metabolites and unchanged drug) and faeces (small amounts). Plasma elimination half-life: Approx 2 hr (oral); approx. 3-4 hr (TTS).
Chemical Structure

Chemical Structure Image
Methylphenidate

Source: National Center for Biotechnology Information. PubChem Database. Methylphenidate, CID=4158, https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Methylphenidate (accessed on Jan. 22, 2020)

Storage
Store between 20-25°C. Protect from light and moisture.
MIMS Class
Other CNS Drugs & Agents for ADHD
ATC Classification
N06BA04 - methylphenidate ; Belongs to the class of centrally-acting sympathomimetics. Used as CNS stimulant.
References
Anon. Methylphenidate. Lexicomp Online. Hudson, Ohio. Wolters Kluwer Clinical Drug Information, Inc. https://online.lexi.com. Accessed 13/06/2016.

Buckingham R (ed). Methylphenidate. Martindale: The Complete Drug Reference [online]. London. Pharmaceutical Press. https://www.medicinescomplete.com. Accessed 13/06/2016.

Daytrana Patch (Noven Therapeutics, LLC). DailyMed. Source: U.S. National Library of Medicine. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/. Accessed 13/06/2016.

Joint Formulary Committee. Methylphenidate Hydrochloride. British National Formulary [online]. London. BMJ Group and Pharmaceutical Press. https://www.medicinescomplete.com. Accessed 13/06/2016.

McEvoy GK, Snow EK, Miller J et al (eds). Methylphenidate Hydrochloride. AHFS Drug Information (AHFS DI) [online]. American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). https://www.medicinescomplete.com. Accessed 13/06/2016.

Methylphenidate Capsule, Extended Release (Sandoz Inc). DailyMed. Source: U.S. National Library of Medicine. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/. Accessed 13/06/2016.

Disclaimer: This information is independently developed by MIMS based on Methylphenidate from various references and is provided for your reference only. Therapeutic uses, prescribing information and product availability may vary between countries. Please refer to MIMS Product Monographs for specific and locally approved prescribing information. Although great effort has been made to ensure content accuracy, MIMS shall not be held responsible or liable for any claims or damages arising from the use or misuse of the information contained herein, its contents or omissions, or otherwise. Copyright © 2024 MIMS. All rights reserved. Powered by MIMS.com
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