Methylphenidate

Common side effects include:

• Stomach discomfort e.g. stomach pain, nausea, vomiting
  
• Take it after food to minimise these side effects
  
• Dry mouth
  
• Mild headache, body ache
  
• Nervousness, not being able to sleep
  
• Avoid taking the medication too late in the day as it may keep you awake
  
• Dizzy or lightheadedness
  
• Stand up slowly from a lying position
  
• Loss of appetite - weight loss may occur during the first few months of treatment
  

Inform your doctor if the side effects above become severe and bothersome.

Very rarely, this medication may cause

• Fast or irrgular heartbeat (palpitations)
  
• Uncontrolled speech and/or tics (uncontrolled and repeated body movements)
  
• Seizures, confusion
  
• Changes in eyesight e.g. blurred vision
  
• Prolonged and/or painful erections (for males) lasting up to 4 hours and beyond
  
• Increase in blood pressure
  
• New or worsening signs of delusions (false beliefs), hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that are not real) or mania (abnormally high or excited mood)
  

The symptoms of a drug allergy include one or more of the following:

• Swollen face/eyes/lips/tongue
• Difficulty in breathing
• Itchy skin rashes over your whole body

If you experience any of these symptoms, you should stop your medication and see your healthcare professional immediately.

Inform your healthcare professional if:

• You are allergic to this medication or any of the other ingredients of this medication
  
• You are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding
  
• You are taking any other medications, including supplements, traditional medications and herbal remedies currently or in the last two weeks.
  
• You have a history of or current medical conditions such as blood vessel disease, high blood pressure, stroke, heart disease, mental health disorders, glaucoma, overactive thyroid, seizures (fits), hard-to-control or repeated twitching of any parts of the body or you repeat sounds and words (Tourette's syndrome or tics disorder)
  

​Avoid taking alcohol when you are taking this medication as alcohol may interact with your medication and increase the risk of side effects.

• Do not stop taking your medication without checking with your healthcare professional.
  
• Most methylphenidate preparations can be taken with or without food, except for Medikinet® MR. Medikinet® MR should be taken with or after food as it may affect the absorption of the medication into the body.
  
• For immediate-release preparations, do not take it too late in the evening as it may cause trouble sleeping.
  
• If you are taking the modified-release preparations, the capsules/tablets must not be crushed or chewed. For Ritalin® LA and Medikinet® MR, the capsules may be opened and the contents sprinkled onto a small amount (tablespoon) of room temperature or cold food (e.g. applesauce, yoghurt). It must be taken immediately and not stored for future use.
  
• Your doctor would start the medication at a low dose, and then slowly adjust the dose according to your response to the medication.
  
• For Concerta® ER, the tablet does not dissolve completely after all the medication has been released and sometimes the tablet shell may appear in your stools. This is normal.
  

If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember. Then take your next dose at the usual time. Do not take two doses to make up for the missed dose.

​​Pack this medication into a trash bag and seal it tightly before throwing into the rubbish chute or bin.