METHYLPHENIDATE

Indications

Narcolepsy and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

Dosage

Oral; 10-60 mg daily given in 2 or 3 divided doses.

Contra-Indications

hypersensitive to the drug, marked anxiety, tension, agitation, glaucoma, Tourette's syndrome, along with monoamine oxidase inhibitors, and also within a minimum of 14 days following discontinuation of a monoamine oxidase inhibitor.

Special Precautions

Paediatric: Safety not established in less than 6 years of age Pregnancy: category C; Use if risk to fetus outweighs benefits. Lactation: Not known if excreted in milk Elderly: May aggravate cardiac problems

Side Effects

nervousness, agitation, anxiety, insomnia, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, palpitations, headache, increased heart rate, increased blood pressure, and psychosis.

Drug Interactions

Caffeine, pseudoephedrine, monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), for example, isocarboxazid (Marplan).