What is Ritalin Used For

What is methylphenidate?

Methylphenidate is used to treat attention deficit disorder (ADD)  disorder (ADHD), and narcolespy
Methylphenidate may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Important information

You should not use methylphenidate if you have glaucoma, tics or Tourette's syndrome, or severe anxiety, tension, or agitation.
Do not use methylphenidate if you have taken an MAO inhibitor in the past 14 days, such as isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue injection, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, tranylcypromine, and others.
Methylphenidate may be habit forming. Never share this medicine with another person, especially someone with a history of drug abuse or addiction.
Using this medicine improperly can cause death or serious side effects on the heart.

Before taking this medicine

Do not use methylphenidate if you have used an MAO inhibitor in the past 14 days. A dangerous drug interaction could occur. MAO inhibitors include isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue injection, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, tranylcypromine, and others.
You should not use methylphenidate if you are allergic to it, or if you have:

• glaucoma;
  
• a personal or family history of tics (muscle twitches) or Tourette's syndrome; or
  
• severe anxiety, tension, or agitation (stimulant medicine can make these symptoms worse).
  

Some stimulants have caused sudden death in certain people. Tell your doctor if you have:

• heart problems or a congenital heart defect;
  
• high blood pressure; or
  
• a family history of heart disease or sudden death.
  

To make sure methylphenidate is safe for you, tell your doctor if you or anyone in your family has ever had:

• depression, mental illness, bipolar disorder, psychosis, or suicidal thoughts or actions;
  
• motor tics (muscle twitches) or Tourette's syndrome;
  
• blood circulation problems in the hands or feet;
  
• problems with the esophagus, stomach, or intestines;
  
• seizures or epilepsy;
  
• an abnormal brain wave test (EEG); or
  
• a history of drug or alcohol addiction.
  

It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.
It is not known whether methylphenidate passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
Methylphenidate is not approved for use by anyone younger than 6 years old.