Methylphenidate [Methylphenidylacetate]

This chapter describes trade name, classification, approved indications for psychological disorders, usual dosage and administration, relative contraindications, clinically significant drug interactions, adverse drug reactions and overdosage of Methylphenidate. Methylphenidate is excreted into the urine mainly as metabolites, with less than 5% excreted in unchanged form. Methylphenidate has a mean half-life of elimination of approximately 2 hours among children and adults. Concurrent methylphenidate and oral anticoagulant pharmacotherapy may result in the inhibition of the metabolism of the oral anticoagulant. Methylphenidate may interact with MAOIs , resulting in the release of large amounts of catecholamines and the hypertensive crisis. Methylphenidate pharmacotherapy is commonly associated with insomnia, particularly if the last dose of the day is ingested late in the afternoon or early evening. Signs and symptoms of acute methylphenidate overdosage are associated with its CNS stimulant and sympathomimetic actions. Acute methylphenidate overdosage requires emergency symptomatic medical support of body systems with attention to increasing methylphenidate elimination, particularly when overdosage involves extended-release tablets.