Methylphenidate
Administration
- Type: Stimulant
- Dosage Forms:
- Routes of Administration: PO
- Common Trade Names: Ritalin, Concerta
Adult Dosing
- 20-60 mg daily in 2-3 divided doses
Pediatric Dosing
- >6yo: 5-60mg daily in divided doses
Special Populations
Pregnancy Rating
- Category B
Lactation risk
Renal Dosing
- Adult:
- Pediatric:
Hepatic Dosing
- Adult:
- Pediatric:
Contraindications
- Allergy to class/drug
- Concomitant or recent (within 14 days) treatment with an Concomitant treatment with monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)
Adverse Reactions
Serious
- See Sympathomimetic toxicity
- Abuse potential
- Hypersensitivity reaction, angioedema, anaphylaxis
- Leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, anemia
- Psychosis, agitation
- CVA, ICH, vasculitis, seizure
- Serotonin syndrome
- Arrhythmia
- Hepatic injury
- Rhabdomyolysis
Common
- Decreased appetite, weight loss, poor weight gain/growth suppression
- Insomnia, anxiety/restlessness/agitation
- Headache, dizziness, tremor, dyskinesia
- Blurred vision
- Tachycardia, palpitations, chest pain
- Cough, nasopharyngitis
- Dry mouth, nausea/vomiting, abdominal pain, dyspepsia, abnormal LFTs
- Pruritus, urticaria, hyperhidrosis
- Arthralgia
Pharmacology
- Half-life: 2-4h
- Metabolism: Hepatic
- Excretion: Mostly renal
Mechanism of Action
- Norepinephrine and dopamine reuptake inhibitor