As per CDC, it’s the most common drug used to treat Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). It is also prescribed to treat Narcolepsy.
How Does Methylphenidate Work?
It works by increasing the activity of dopamine and noradrenaline. These are in the areas of the human brain that controls attention and behavior.
Brand Names for Methylphenidate
This drug is the active ingredient found in the following medicines:
- Ritalin
- Concerta
- Aptensio XR
- Methylin
- QuilliChew
- Metadate
What are the forms of Dosage for Methylphenidate?
- Tablet
- Chewable tablet
- Extended Release Tablet
- Chewable Extended Release tablet
- Extended Release Capsule
- Solution
- Powder for Suspension – Extended Release
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Other Medicines That can Affect Methylphenidate
Medicine don’t always mix well. As a result. it can lead to increased side effects. Therefore, drugs that can affect Methylphenidate include:
- Narcotic medicines (opioid);
- Blood pressure medication;
- Other medicines used to treat psychiatric disorders or depression,
- Cold and allergy medicines. Especially if it contains decongestants such as phenylephrine or pseudoephedrine;
- Medicine for seizures.
What to Tell Your Doctor Before Taking Methylphenidate?
Before taking Methylphenidate, consult a healthcare practitioner. This way, you can make sure that it is safe for you to use. Your doctor will let you know if you can continue to start using the medicine. Otherwise, they may alter your prescription in some way.
You should not be taking this drug in the following cases:
- You have a family- or personal history of muscle twitches;
- You have a personal- or family history of Tourette’s Syndrome;
- You have severe tension, anxiety or agitation;
- You have glaucoma.
Remember to tell your doctor if you have a personal- or family history with:
- High blood pressure;
- Heart problems (this includes a congenital heart defect, family history of sudden death or heart disease);
- Problems with blood circulation in your hands or feet;
- Epilepsy or seizures;
- Depression, bipolar disorder, mental illness;
- An alcohol or drug addiction;
- Abnormal EEG test results;
- Problems with intestines, esophagus or stomach.
Always keep in mind that you have to tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Prices
You can buy almost any medication online on the right websites. In fact, you can even use some discount codes when you order your medicine. Remember to be safe and check out at least three websites before ordering your medicine.
Listed are a few stores with the price for 30 tablets of Methylphenidate ER 36mg. Please note that they are before the application of any discounts.:
Walgreens – $254.00
CVS Pharmacy – $250.00
Rite-Aid – $253.00
Target (CVS) – $R249.00
Safeway – $367.00
Kroger Pharmacy – $260.00
Walmart – $287.00
Publix – $320.00
Side Effects
Usually, the common side effects are usually mild and tolerable for Methylphenidate. They include:
- Insomnia
- Nervousness, agitation, and anxiety
- Stomach pain
- Nausea and vomiting
- Loss of appetite and weight loss
- Dizziness
- Problems with vision
- Headache
- Palpitations
- Increased heart rate
- Skin rash
- Psychosis
- Numbness or tingling
- Cold feeling in your feet or hands
- Increased blood pressure
- Sweating
In some cases, severe side effects can also occur. As a result, you must immediately stop taking Methylphenidate. Then, it is imperative that you consult a healthcare practitioner. These include:
- Allergic reactions such as hives. First, they include the swelling of your lips, tongue, throat, lips or face. Then, you might have difficulty breathing.
- Uneven, fast or pounding heartbeat.
- Extreme dizziness – so bad that you feel you might pass out.
- Restlessness, aggression, unusual behavior, muscle twitches, aggression.
- Very dangerous high blood pressure. This will cause a severe headache and buzzing in your ears. They might also include blurred vision, chest pain, and confusion. Otherwise, uneven heartbeat, anxiety, shortness of breath, or seizure may also happen.
In the Long Run
In the long run, Methylphenidate use and abuse can cause some mental conditions. This is when people do not take it as prescribed.:
- Hallucination
- Paranoia and delusion
- Disorientation
- Mania followed by depression
- Thoughts of self-harm and suicide
- Changes in personal and social behavior
- Apathy towards everyday life, relationships, work and family
- Diminishing quality of life
- Noticeable weight loss that can lead to anorexia
- Seizures
Is Methylphenidate Addictive?
Presently, they have highlighted the potential for abuse throughout the research literature. Therefore, they serve as a warning that abuse may occur. In fact, more than 16% of college students in the USA have used Methylphenidates for fun. This is according to some research.
People abuse this drug in many ways. First, they can swallow more tablets than prescribed. Then, they can crush/ground to turn into powder form, which people usually snort. Other people will dissolve the tablets in water. Then, they will inject this mixture intravenous. Strangely enough, when one snorts it, the drug has a similar effect on the brain like that of cocaine. However, you can get these drugs legally.
Signs and Symptoms of Addiction
How do you know if your loved one has become an addict of Methylphenidate? Like many other drugs, one can tell. Therefore, here are the signs to look out for:
- Decreased performance at school or work. This seems strange. It is because a lot of college students use Methylphenidates to enhance concentration. For example, they might use Ritalin. However, in the long run, addiction will decrease performance.
- Changes in priorities and impaired judgment. Addicts might decide that getting more Methylphenidate is the most important. Second, it is to recover from its effects. Which brings us to the next point:
- Withdrawal from family and friends. As a result, this drug becomes the number one thing in their life. It might also be an attempt to hide the addiction.
- The compulsion to seek the drug. Abusers might consult many different doctors to get prescriptions.
- Financial hardship. Drugs cost money. Therefore, to sustain a habit, a Methylphenidate abuser might fall into financial hardship.
- Profound mood changes. For one, when the dopamine levels cheanges, so is the mood. Another reason for these mood changes is the side effects and withdrawal.
Methylphenidate Overdose
What are the Signs and symptoms Methylphenidate overdose? They include:
- Severe muscle twitching
- Rapid heartbeat seems out of control
- Vomiting
- Shortness of breath and crushing chest pain
- Tremors
- Notably dilated pupils that are unresponsive to light
- Convulsions followed by a coma
- Dryness of the mouth and nose
- Hallucination, confusion, delirium
- Extreme headache
- Sweating and flushing, fever
- Loss of consciousness
Rehabilitation from Methylphenidate
Currently, Methylphenidate is relatively easy to get. However, outpatient rehab isn’t always the best option to break the cycle of abuse. Inpatient rehab gives patients more structured environments, removing their access to the drug.
After the detox, patients will begin with therapy. Individual therapy will help the patient get to the root of the addiction. Meanwhile, group sessions may also be useful. Usually, this will help the patient relate to others that have been in a similar situation.
Aftercare is very important when it comes to addiction rehab. There are many support groups and sober living facilities out there. They will help people overcome addictions while getting their lives back on track.