Dexmethylphenidate

Dexmethylphenidate is a stimulant used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Dexmethylphenidate may also be used for reasons not mentioned in this medication guide.

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Your doctor may change your dose from time to time. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

Dexmethylphenidate may be habit-forming. Misuse can lead to addiction, overdose, or death. Keep the medication in a place where others cannot access it. Selling or giving away this medicine is illegal.

Dexmethylphenidate is typically taken twice a day, at least 4 hours apart.

You can take dexmethylphenidate with or without food. Take the regular tablet twice daily, ensuring there is at least a 4-hour gap between doses. Take the extended-release capsule once daily in the morning.

Swallow the extended-release capsule whole; do not crush, chew, break, or open it.

If you cannot swallow a capsule whole, open it and mix the medicine with applesauce. Swallow the mixture right away without chewing.

Your doctor will need to monitor your progress regularly. Your heart and blood pressure may also need to be checked frequently.

Inform your doctor if you have a planned surgery.

Your treatment may also include counseling or other therapies.

Store the medicine tightly closed at room temperature, away from moisture, heat, and light. Keep your medicine in a secure place to prevent improper use.

Stimulants have led to stroke, heart attack, and sudden death in people with high blood pressure, heart disease, or a heart defect.

Dexmethylphenidate may cause new or worsening psychosis (unusual thoughts or behavior), especially if you have a history of depression, mental illness, or bipolar disorder.

Call your doctor right away if you have: signs of heart problems—chest pain, feeling light-headed, or short of breath; or signs of psychosis—paranoia, aggression, new thought or behavior problems, seeing or hearing things that are not real.

Dexmethylphenidate may be habit-forming. Tell your doctor if you have a history of drug or alcohol addiction. Keep the medication in a safe place where others cannot access it.

You should not take dexmethylphenidate if you are allergic to dexmethylphenidate or methylphenidate (Ritalin, Concerta).

Stimulants have caused stroke, heart attack, and 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.

Do not use dexmethylphenidate 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, and tranylcypromine.

Tell your doctor if you also use opioid medicine, herbal products, or medicine for depression, mental illness, Parkinson's disease, migraine headaches, serious infections, or prevention of nausea and vomiting. An interaction with dexmethylphenidate could cause a serious condition called serotonin syndrome.

Tell your doctor if you or anyone in your family has ever had:

• depression, mental illness, bipolar disorder, psychosis, or suicidal thoughts or actions;
• blood circulation problems in the hands or feet; or
• alcoholism or drug addiction.

Becoming dependent on this medicine during pregnancy can cause premature birth or low birth weight. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. If you are pregnant, your name may be listed on a pregnancy registry to track the effects of dexmethylphenidate on the baby.

Ask a doctor if it is safe to breastfeed while using this medicine.

Not approved for use by anyone younger than 6 years old.

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: fever; hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Dexmethylphenidate may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor immediately if you experience:

• signs of heart problems--chest pain, trouble breathing, feeling faint;
• signs of psychosis--hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that are not real), new thought or behavior changes, aggression, hostility, paranoia;
• signs of circulation problems--numbness, pain, cold feeling, unexplained wounds, or changes in skin color (pale, red, or blue appearance) in your fingers or toes; or
• a painful erection of the penis that lasts 4 hours or longer.

Seek medical attention right away if you have symptoms of serotonin syndrome, such as: agitation, hallucinations, fever, sweating, shivering, fast heart rate, muscle stiffness, twitching, loss of coordination, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.

Dexmethylphenidate can affect growth in children. Your child's height and weight may need to be checked often. Inform your doctor if your child is not growing at a normal rate.

Common side effects of dexmethylphenidate may include:

• loss of appetite;
• nausea, stomach pain; or
• fever.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Take the medicine as soon as you remember, but skip the missed dose if it is nearly time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at once.

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222. Taking too much dexmethylphenidate could be deadly.

Signs of an overdose may include dry mouth, vomiting, agitation, tremors, muscle twitches, confusion, hallucinations, dilated pupils, muscle pain or weakness, fever, sweating, headache, pounding in your neck or ears, fast or pounding heartbeats, seizures (convulsions), or coma.

Follow your doctor's instructions about any limits on food, drinks, or activities.

Tell your doctor about all your other medicines, especially:

• an antidepressant; or
• blood pressure medication.

This list is not complete. Other drugs may affect dexmethylphenidate, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.