Methylphenidate hydrochloride is a stimulant medication. It is used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder ADHD and narcolepsy.
You need to talk with your prescriber about the best option for you. We know that changing medicines can be inconvenient. However, this change was beyond our control. We apologise for any stress this causes.
You play an important role in supporting patients through changes to their medicines. Thank you for your support on this change. This discontinuation affects only Ritalin SR 20 mg tabs Pharmacode Although most of these side effects listed below don't happen very often, they could lead to serious problems if you do not seek medical attention. Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:. Stop taking the medication and seek immediate medical attention if any of the following occur:.
Some people may experience side effects other than those listed. Check with your doctor if you notice any symptom that worries you while you are taking this medication. Before you begin using a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health.
These factors may affect how you should use this medication. Behaviour or mood changes: There have been reports of agitation, hallucinations, symptoms of depression, and thoughts of self-harm in people taking this medication. If you experience these side effects or notice them in a family member who is taking this medication, contact your doctor immediately.
You should be closely monitored by your doctor for emotional and behaviour changes while taking this medication. If you have a history of depression or bipolar disorder, discuss with your doctor how this medication may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of this medication, and whether any special monitoring is needed.
Blood pressure: Methylphenidate may increase blood pressure. If you have high blood pressure or heart problems, discuss with your doctor how this medication may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of this medication, and whether any special monitoring is needed. Avoid driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous tasks until you have determined how this medication affects you. Drug dependence: There does not appear to be an increased risk of dependence or addiction with the use of methylphenidate by children and adolescents.
However, abuse of methylphenidate is possible by certain individuals. Regular, long-term abuse can lead to high levels of tolerance and psychological dependence, and a wide range of abnormal behaviours. People with a history of drug or alcohol dependence should be carefully monitored by their doctors while using this medication. Exercise: People participating in strenuous exercise or activities should consult their doctor before taking methylphenidate.
Strenuous exercise combined with the effects of methylphenidate on the heart and blood pressure may increase the risk of sudden death. Heart problems and blood pressure: This medication can increase heart rate and blood pressure.
It may also increase the risk of sudden death for people with heart problems. This medication should generally not be used by people with known heart problems, including an irregular heartbeat, established structural heart abnormalities such as abnormal size, missing or poorly functioning heart valves, or problems with blood vessels connected to the heart , or a family history of sudden death related to heart disease.
Misuse of methylphenidate may also be associated with sudden death and other serious heart-related effects. Long-term use: If you will be using methylphenidate for a long period of time, your doctor will want you to have regular heart checkups, blood pressure checks and lab tests to check your liver and blood. Prolonged erection: Rarely, methylphenidate may cause a painful or prolonged erection, also called priapism.
Priapism occurs when blood becomes trapped in the penis, resulting in a prolonged longer than 4 hours erection. If not treated, this may cause permanent damage to the penis. If this occurs, seek medical help immediately. Seizures: This medication may increase the risk of seizures.
If you have a history of epilepsy or medical conditions that increase the risk of seizures, discuss with your doctor how this medication may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of this medication, and whether any special monitoring is needed. Serotonin syndrome: Severe reactions are possible when methylphenidate is combined with other medications that act on serotonin, such as tricyclic antidepressants and serotonin reuptake inhibitors, medications used to treat depression.
These combinations may cause muscle rigidity and spasms, difficulty moving, and changes in mental state including delirium and agitation.
Coma and death are possible. If you are taking antidepressants, discuss with your doctor how this medication may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of this medication, and whether any special monitoring is needed. Stopping the medication: Check with your doctor before stopping this medication. Suppression of growth: Growth suppression i.
It is not known if the medication causes the growth suppression. However, children who need long-term therapy should be carefully monitored for growth. Their doctor may also recommend a "drug holiday," where the medication is not given on weekends or during school holidays. Surgery: This medication can affect the way certain anaesthetics work in the body.
If you or your child are scheduled for surgery, let all the people on the health care team know that you or your child are taking methylphenidate. Stroke: This medication may increase the risk of stroke, particularly for people who have already had a stroke or are at risk of having a stroke.
If you have heart disease, are taking other medications that increase blood pressure or high blood pressure, discuss with your doctor how this medication may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of this medication, and whether any special monitoring is needed.
If you experience signs of a stroke or mini-stroke, such as confusion, difficulty speaking, loss of coordination, sudden headache or vision changes, contact your doctor as soon as possible. Tics: This medication may cause tics or worsening of motor or verbal tics. If you have Tourette's syndrome or develop tics while on this medication, discuss with your doctor how this medication may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of this medication.
Vision: Rarely, people taking methylphenidate have experienced vision changes. If you notice any changes in your vision, such as blurred vision, or difficulty focusing, contact your doctor. Pregnancy: This medication should not be used during pregnancy unless the benefits outweigh the risks.
If you become pregnant while taking this medication, contact your doctor immediately. Breast-feeding: This medication passes into breast milk. If you are a breast-feeding mother and are taking methylphenidate, it may affect your baby.
Talk to your doctor about whether you should continue breast-feeding. Children: The safety and effectiveness of this medication have not been established for and should not be used by children under 6 years of age. If you are taking any of these medications, speak with your doctor or pharmacist.
Depending on your specific circumstances, your doctor may want you to:. An interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them.
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