What is dexmethylphenidate?
Dexmethylphenidate is a mild stimulant to the central nervous system (brain and nerves).
Dexmethylphenidate is used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Dexmethylphenidate may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication
guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking dexmethylphenidate?
Do not use dexmethylphenidate if you have used an MAO inhibitor such as
isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam),
or tranylcypromine (Parnate) within the past 14 days. Serious, life-threatening side effects can
occur if you take dexmethylphenidate before the MAO inhibitor has cleared from your body.
You should not take this medication if you are allergic to dexmethylphenidate or
methylphenidate (Ritalin, Concerta), or if you have:
-
glaucoma;
-
motor tics (twitches);
-
a personal or family history of Tourette's syndrome; or
-
if you have significant tension, agitation, or anxiety.
Some stimulants have caused sudden death in children and
adolescents with serious heart problems or congenital heart defects. Before taking
dexmethylphenidate, tell your doctor if you have any type of heart problems.
Before using this medication, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you
have:
-
severe depression or a history of mental illness;
-
a history of drug or alcohol addiction;
-
seizures or epilepsy;
-
high blood pressure;
-
heart disease, heart rhythm problems, or congestive heart
failure; or
-
if you have recently had a heart attack.
If you have any of these conditions, you may need a dose adjustment
or special tests to safely take dexmethylphenidate.
FDA pregnancy category C. This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell
your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.
It is not known whether dexmethylphenidate passes into breast milk or if it could
harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are
breast-feeding a baby.
Long-term use of dexmethylphenidate can slow a child's growth. Tell your doctor if the
child using this medication is not growing or gaining weight properly.
Do not give this medication to a child younger than 6 years old.
Dexmethylphenidate may be habit-forming and
should be used only by the
person it was prescribed for
. Dexmethylphenidate should never be shared with
another person, especially someone who has a history of drug abuse or addiction. Keep the
medication in a secure place where others cannot get to it.
Keep track of how many pills have been used from each new bottle of this medicine.
Dexmethylphenidate is a drug of abuse and you should be aware if any person in the household is
using this medicine improperly or without a prescription.
How should I take dexmethylphenidate?
Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in
larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on
your prescription label.
Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results from
this medication.
Take each dose with a full glass of water.
This medication is usually taken in the morning before breakfast. You may take it with or
without food.
You may open the dexmethylphenidate capsule and sprinkle the medicine into a spoonful
of applesauce to make swallowing easier. Swallow this mixture right away without chewing. Do
not save the mixture for later use. Discard the empty capsule.
To be sure this medication is helping your condition, your doctor will need to check your
progress on a regular basis. Do not miss any scheduled visits to your doctor.
Store dexmethylphenidate at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
What happens if I miss a dose of dexmethylphenidate?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, or
if it is already evening, skip the missed dose and take the medicine the next morning. Taking this
medicine late in the day can cause sleep problems.
Do not
take extra medicine
to make up the missed dose.
Where can I get more information about dexmethylphenidate?
Your pharmacist has information about dexmethylphenidate written for health professionals that you may read.
What are the possible side effects of dexmethylphenidate?
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these
signs of an allergic
reaction:
hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Stop using dexmethylphenidate and call your doctor at once if you have any of these
serious side effects:
-
increased blood pressure (severe headache, blurred vision, trouble
concentrating, chest pain, numbness, seizure);
-
fast or uneven heart rate;
-
blurred vision or other visual changes;
-
unusual behavior, confusion; or
-
twitching or tics.
Less serious side effects may include:
-
sleep problems (insomnia);
-
loss of appetite;
-
upset stomach;
-
feeling restless, anxious, or jittery;
-
dry mouth, sore throat; or
-
headache.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell
your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What is the most important information I should know about dexmethylphenidate?
Do not use dexmethylphenidate if you have used an MAO inhibitor such as
isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam),
or tranylcypromine (Parnate) within the past 14 days. Serious, life-threatening side effects can
occur if you take dexmethylphenidate before the MAO inhibitor has cleared from your body.
Before using this medication, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you
have severe depression or a history of mental illness, seizures or epilepsy, high blood pressure, a
history of drug or alcohol addiction, congestive heart failure, or if you have recently had a heart
attack.
Some stimulants have caused sudden death in children and adolescents with serious
heart problems or congenital heart defects. Before taking dexmethylphenidate, tell your doctor if
you have any type of heart problems.
Long-term use of dexmethylphenidate can slow a child's growth. Tell your doctor if the
child using this medication is not growing or gaining weight properly.
Dexmethylphenidate may be habit-forming and
should be used only by the
person it was prescribed for
. Dexmethylphenidate should never be shared with
another person, especially someone who has a history of drug abuse or addiction. Keep the
medication in a secure place where others cannot get to it.
Keep track of how many pills have been used from each new bottle of this medicine.
Dexmethylphenidate is a drug of abuse and you should be aware if any person in the household is
using this medicine improperly or without a prescription.
What should I avoid while taking dexmethylphenidate?
Avoid taking dexmethylphenidate in the evening because it may cause sleep problems
(insomnia).
Dexmethylphenidate can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or
reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.
What other drugs will affect dexmethylphenidate?
Before taking dexmethylphenidate, tell your doctor if you are using any of the following
medicines:
-
antacids;
-
blood pressure medications;
-
a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin);
-
clonidine (Catapres);
-
seizure medications such as phenytoin (Dilantin),
phenobarbital (Luminal, Solfoton), primidone (Mysoline); or
-
antidepressants such as amitriptyline (Elavil, Etrafon),
amoxapine (Ascendin), clomipramine (Anafranil), desipramine (Norpramin), imipramine
(Janimine, Tofranil), nortriptyline (Pamelor), protriptyline (Vivactil), or trimipramine
(Surmontil).
This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact
with dexmethylphenidate. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter
medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by
other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.
What happens if I have an overdose of dexmethylphenidate?
