Methylphenidate for adults

Methylphenidate is not suitable for some people. For example, check with your doctor before taking if you have heart problems or high blood pressure.

Methylphenidate comes as tablets that you take once a day. Follow the instructions that come with your medicine.

Side effects of methylphenidate include headaches and sleeping problems. More serious side effects can happen in rare cases.

Methylphenidate is occasionally prescribed during pregnancy. Always check with a pharmacist or doctor.

It can cause problems to take methylphenidate with some other medicines, such as medicines for depression, epilepsy or high blood pressure.

Most adults can take methylphenidate.

Methylphenidate is not suitable for some people.

Check with your doctor or pharmacist before starting to take it if you:

• have ever had an allergic reaction to methylphenidate or any other medicine
• have difficulty swallowing – some brands may not be suitable for you
• have heart problems
• have an overactive thyroid
• have a tumour in the adrenal gland (phaeochromocytoma)
• have mental health problems (or a close family member has mental health problems)
• have high blood pressure or problems with your blood vessels, such as vasculitis
• have epilepsy
• have tics (sudden muscle twitches of the face or body), or a family history of Tourette's syndrome
• have glaucoma or are at risk of getting glaucoma
• are trying to get pregnant, are already pregnant or breastfeeding
• have problems with drugs or alcohol

These common side effects of methylphenidate may happen in more than 1 in 100 people. Side effects will depend on the type and brand of methylphenidate you're taking.

There are things you can do to help cope with them:

Make sure you rest and drink plenty of fluids. Painkillers such as paracetamol can help. Talk to your doctor if the headaches are severe or do not go away.

If you're finding it hard to sleep, try taking the last dose of methylphenidate more than 6 hours before bedtime.

It may help to take methylphenidate with a meal.

You may notice some weight loss during the first few months of treatment. You'll probably put this weight back on once you're used to the medicine.

If you notice that you are losing a lot of weight, speak to your doctor.

Try to rest and relax. It can help to eat and drink slowly and have smaller and more frequent meals. Putting a heat pad or covered hot water bottle on your stomach may also help.

If you're in a lot of pain, or the pain does not go away, speak to your pharmacist or doctor.

This usually gets better quite quickly. Taking sips of water and eating citrus fruits (like oranges or satsumas) can help.

Stick to simple meals and do not eat rich or spicy food if you feel sick. It might help to take methylphenidate with or after a meal or snack.

If you are being sick try taking small, frequent sips of water or squash to avoid dehydration. See your doctor if you are being sick or having severe stomach pains.

If you take the combined contraceptive pill or progestogen-only pill and you're being sick, your contraception may not protect you from pregnancy. Check the pill packet for advice.

Keep taking your medicine but tell your doctor if these side effects bother you or do not go away.

Your doctor should review your medicine at least once a year to make sure there are no problems.

Methylphenidate is not often taken in pregnancy as there's not much information about its safety.

If you're already taking it and it helps you manage to do everyday activities, then you may decide that the benefits outweigh any possible risks.

Talk to your doctor, midwife or pharmacist about the risks and benefits of continuing methylphenidate.

If your baby is healthy, you can take methylphenidate while you're breastfeeding.

There's not much information about taking methylphenidate while breastfeeding but what there is shows that it only passes into breast milk in tiny amounts. Your baby will not be able to take in a lot of methylphenidate.

It's very rare for breastfed babies to have side effects from medicines you're taking. But it's important to keep monitoring your baby if you're taking any medicine while breastfeeding.

Contact your healthcare professional or call 111 as soon as possible if your baby:

• is not feeding as well as usual or not putting on weight as you would expect
• is being irritable
• is being sick or has diarrhoea
• is not sleeping as well as normal
• is having skin problems, including a rash

If your baby has any symptoms that are not listed, or if you're worried about them, you can also call 111 or contact any healthcare professional.

Carry on taking the medicine, and keep breastfeeding as usual until you've got advice about your baby's symptoms.

Some medicines can affect the way methylphenidate works and increase the risk of side effects.

Do not take methylphenidate if you're taking antidepressants called monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), or if you've stopped taking them in the last 14 days.

Taking methylphenidate with these medicines can cause a sudden increase in your blood pressure. This could be dangerous. MAOIs include:

• isocarboxazid
• moclobemide
• phenelzine
• tranylcypromine

Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you're taking any other medicines, including:

• medicines to treat depression or other mental health conditions
• epilepsy medicines
• blood pressure medicines
• medicines to treat or prevent blood clots

Some cough and cold medicines can also affect your blood pressure. Speak to your pharmacist or doctor before you buy cough and cold medicines. It's important to check whether these are OK for you to have while taking methylphenidate.

These are not all the medicines that may cause problems if you take them with methylphenidate. For a full list, see the leaflet inside your medicine packet.