Ritalin LA

Ritalin LA is used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in people who are at least 6 years old.

Some brands of methylphenidate extended-release tablet can only be used to treat attention deficit disorder in adults under 65 years old and children at least 6 years old.

Some brands of Ritalin LA are also used to treat a sleep disorder called narcolepsy.

Ritalin LA may also be used for other reasons not listed 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.

Ritalin LA 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 Ritalin LA is illegal.

Your dose may need to change if you switch to a different brand, strength, or form of this medicine. Avoid medication errors by using only the medicine your doctor prescribes.

Most brands of methylphenidate are taken 1 to 3 times during the day. Jornay PM is meant to be taken only in the evening. Do not use this medicine more often than prescribed.

Take with a full glass of water.

You may take Ritalin LA with or without food, but take it the same way each time. Some brands of methylphenidate should be taken 30 to 45 minutes before a meal.

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

If you cannot swallow an extended-release capsule whole, open it and mix the medicine with soft food like applesauce or yogurt. Swallow the mixture immediately without chewing.

Part of an extended-release tablet shell may show up in your stool, but this will not affect how well the medicine works.

You must chew the chewable tablet before swallowing it.

Shake the oral suspension (liquid) for at least 10 seconds. Measure liquid medicine (solution or suspension) using the supplied measuring device (not a kitchen spoon).

Remove an orally disintegrating tablet from the package with dry hands only when you are ready to use the medicine. Let the orally disintegrating tablet dissolve in your mouth without chewing.

Tell your doctor if you have a planned surgery.

Your doctor will need to monitor your progress regularly, and you may need medical tests to check your heart function. Inform any doctor treating you that you are using this medicine.

Your treatment may also involve counseling or other treatments.

Do not keep leftover medicine. Just one dose can be fatal to someone who uses it accidentally or improperly. Ask your pharmacist about a drug take-back program. You may also mix leftover medicine with cat litter or coffee grounds in a sealed plastic bag and throw the bag in the trash.

Store tightly closed in the original container at room temperature, away from moisture, heat, and light. Keep your medicine in a place where no one can misuse it.

Stimulants can lead to stroke, heart attack, and sudden death in individuals with high blood pressure, heart disease, or a heart defect.

Ritalin LA may be habit-forming. Misusing it can lead to addiction, overdose, or death. Store the medication in a place where others cannot access it. It is illegal to sell or give away Ritalin LA.

Contact your doctor immediately if you experience: chest pain, feeling faint, seeing or hearing things that are not real, needing less sleep, being restless, or having unexplained sores on your fingers or toes.

You should not use Ritalin LA if you are allergic to it, or if you have:

• glaucoma;
• a personal or family history of tics (muscle twitches) or Tourette's syndrome;
• trouble swallowing, stomach problems, or intestinal issues;
• severe anxiety, tension, or agitation (stimulant medicine can make these symptoms worse);
• an inability to digest certain types of sugar; or
• if you have taken an MAO inhibitor in the past 14 days, such as isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue injection, phenelzine, or tranylcypromine.

Stimulants have caused stroke, heart attack, and sudden death in some individuals. Tell your doctor if you have:

• heart problems or defects;
• high blood pressure; or
• a family history of heart disease or sudden death.

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 fingers or toes or peripheral vascular disease such as Raynaud's syndrome;
• seizures, epilepsy, or an abnormal brain wave test (EEG);
• phenylketonuria;
• alcoholism or drug addiction; or
• an allergy to aspirin or yellow food dye (tartrazine).

It is not known if Ritalin LA will harm an unborn baby. 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 monitor the effects of methylphenidate on the baby.

Ask a doctor if it is safe to breastfeed while using this medicine. If you are breastfeeding, tell your doctor if you notice agitation, insomnia, feeding problems, or reduced weight gain in the nursing baby.

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

Stimulants have caused stroke, heart attack, and sudden death in some people. Get emergency medical help if you have signs of a heart attack or stroke: chest pain that spreads to your jaw or shoulder, sudden numbness or weakness on one side of the body, slurred speech, or feeling short of breath.

Ritalin LA may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor immediately if you have:

• signs of heart or blood circulation problems --chest pain, uneven heart rate, trouble breathing, numbness, a cold feeling, or pale appearance of your fingers or toes;
• signs of mania or psychosis-- seeing or hearing things that are not real, aggression, paranoia, a decreased need for sleep, risk-taking behavior, or being agitated or talkative;
• a seizure, muscle twitches (tics), changes in your vision, or blurry vision; or
• a painful erection that lasts 4 hours or longer.

Ritalin LA can affect growth in children. Tell your doctor if your child is not growing at a normal rate while using this medicine.

Common side effects of Ritalin LA may include:

• sweating, increased blood pressure;
• mood changes, anxiety, irritability, sleep problems (insomnia);
• restlessness, nervousness;
• fast or uneven heart rate;
• loss of appetite, weight loss;
• dry mouth, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, or upset stomach; or
• headache, dizziness.

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 the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Take the medicine as soon as possible, but skip the missed dose if it is nearly time for your next dose. If you take Jornay PM, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the usual time. Do not take two doses at once.

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

Do not drink alcohol.

Do not drive or engage in dangerous activities until you understand how Ritalin LA will affect you. Your reactions may be affected.

Tell your doctor about all your other medicines, especially:

• a blood thinner--warfarin, Coumadin, Jantoven;
• an antacid;
• an antidepressant;
• seizure medication; or
• cold or allergy medicines that contain decongestants.

This list is not complete and many other drugs may affect Ritalin LA. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.