Methylphenidate Hydrochloride Medication Guide

Conditions This Medication May Treat

Based on Bridgeway's clinical use. See the FDA "Uses" section below for approved indications.

ADHD (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder)

Uses (FDA Indications) (FDA source)

1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE Methylphenidate hydrochloride extended-release capsules are indicated for the treatment of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), in pediatric patients 6 to 12 years of age [see Clinical Studies ( 14 )] . Methylphenidate hydrochloride extended-release capsules are a central nervous system (CNS) stimulant indicated for the treatment of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in pediatric patients 6 to 12 years of age. ( 1 )

Dosage Forms & Strengths (FDA source)

3 DOSAGE FORMS AND STRENGTHS 10 mg extended-release capsules light brown opaque cap and white opaque body, imprinted TEVA on the cap and 5345 on the body 20 mg extended-release capsules white opaque cap and white opaque body, imprinted TEVA on the cap and 5346 on the body 30 mg extended-release capsules ivory opaque cap and ivory opaque body, imprinted TEVA on the cap and 5347 on the body 40 mg extended-release capsules light brown opaque cap and light brown opaque body, imprinted TEVA on the cap and 5348 on the body Extended-release capsules: 10 mg, 20 mg, 30 mg, and 40 mg ( 3 )

Warnings & Precautions (FDA source)

5 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS Serious Cardiovascular Events : Sudden death has been reported in association with CNS-stimulant treatment at usual doses in pediatric patients with structural cardiac abnormalities or other serious heart problems. In adults, sudden death, stroke, and myocardial infarction have been reported. Avoid use in patients with known structural cardiac abnormalities, cardiomyopathy, serious heart rhythm arrhythmias, or coronary artery disease. ( 5.2 ) B lood Pressure and Heart Rate Increases : Monitor blood pressure and pulse. Consider the benefits and risk in patients for whom an increase in blood pressure or heart rate would be problematic. ( 5.3 ) Psychiatric Adverse Reactions : Use of stimulants may cause psychotic or manic symptoms in patients with no prior history or exacerbation of symptoms in patients with preexisting psychiatric illness. Evaluate for preexisting psychotic or bipolar disorder prior to methylphenidate hydrochloride extended-release capsules use. ( 5.4 ) P riapis m : Cases of painful and prolonged penile erections, and priapism have been reported with methylphenidate products. Immediate medical attention should be sought if signs or symptoms of prolonged penile erections or priapism are observed. ( 5.5 ) Pe ripheral Vasculopathy, including Raynaud’s Phenomenon : Stimulants used to treat ADHD are associated with peripheral vasculopathy, including Raynaud’s phenomenon. Careful observation for digital changes is necessary during treatment with ADHD stimulants. ( 5.6 ) Long-Term Suppression of Growth : Monitor height and weight at appropriate intervals in pediatric patients. ( 5.7 ) 5.1 Potential for Abuse and Dependence CNS stimulants, including methylphenidate hydrochloride extended-release capsules, other methylphenidate-containing products, and amphetamines, have a high potential for abuse and dependence. Assess the risk of abuse prior to prescribing, and monitor for signs of abuse and dependence while on therapy [ see Boxed Warning, Drug Abuse and Dependence ( 9.2 , 9.3 )]. …

Common Side Effects (FDA source)

6 ADVERSE REACTIONS The following are discussed in more detail in other sections of the labeling: Abuse and Dependence [see Boxed Warning, Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 ), Drug Abuse and Dependence ( 9.2 , 9.3 )] Known hypersensitivity to methylphenidate or other ingredients of methylphenidate hydrochloride extended-release capsules [see Contraindications ( 4 )] Hypertensive crisis when used concomitantly with monoamine oxidase inhibitors [see Contraindications ( 4 ), Drug Interactions ( 7.1 )] Serious cardiovascular reactions [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2 )] Blood pressure and heart rate increases [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.3 )] Psychiatric adverse reactions [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.4 )] Priapism [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.5 )] Peripheral vasculopathy, including Raynaud’s phenomenon [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.6 )] Long-term suppression of growth [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.7 )] Most common adverse reactions (greater than 5% during incidence) were headache, insomnia, upper abdominal pain, decreased appetite, and anorexia. ( 6 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Teva Pharmaceuticals USA, Inc. at 1-888-838-2872 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch . 6.1 Clinical Trials Experience Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice. The clinical program for methylphenidate hydrochloride extended-release capsules consisted of 6 studies: 2 controlled clinical studies conducted in children with ADHD aged 6 to 12 years and 4 clinical pharmacology studies conducted in healthy adult volunteers. These studies included a total of 256 subjects; 195 children with ADHD and 61 healthy adult volunteers. The subjects received methylphenidate hydrochloride extended-release capsules in doses of 10 to 40 mg per day. Safety of methylphenidate hydrochloride extended-release capsules was assessed by evaluating frequency and nature of adverse events, routine laboratory tests, vital signs, and body weight. …

Drug Interactions (FDA source)

7 DRUG INTERACTIONS Antihypertensive drugs: Monitor blood pressure and heart. Adjust dosage of antihypertensive drug as needed. ( 7 ) Avoid use of methylphenidate hydrochloride extended-release capsules on the day of surgery if halogenated anesthetics will be used. ( 7 ) 7.1 Clinically Important Interactions with Methylphenidate Hydrochloride Extended-Release Capsules Table 3 presents clinically important drug interactions with methylphenidate hydrochloride extended-release capsules. Table 3: Drugs Having Clinically Important Drug Interactions with Methylphenidate Hydrochloride Extended-Release Capsules Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOI) Clinical Impact Concomitant use of MAOIs and CNS stimulants, including methylphenidate hydrochloride extended-release capsules, can cause hypertensive crisis. Potential outcomes include death, stroke, myocardial infarction, aortic dissection, ophthalmological complications, eclampsia, pulmonary edema, and renal failure [see Contraindications ( 4 )] . Intervention Concomitant use of methylphenidate hydrochloride extended-release capsules with MAOIs or within 14 days after discontinuing MAOI treatment is contraindicated. Examples selegiline, tranylcypromine, isocarboxazid, phenelzine, linezolid, methylene blue Antihypertensive Drugs Clinical Impact Methylphenidate hydrochloride extended-release capsules may decrease the effectiveness of drugs used to treat hypertension [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.3 )] . Intervention Monitor blood pressure and adjust the dosage of the antihypertensive drug as needed. Examples Potassium-sparing and thiazide diuretics, calcium channel blockers, ACE inhibitors, ARBs, beta blockers, centrally acting alpha-2 receptor agonists. …

Interactions With Other Medications We Cover

FDA label text for Methylphenidate Hydrochloride or a related medication mentions the following combinations. Check any two medications with our interaction tool →

• Methylphenidate Hydrochloride + Risperidone — Moderate
• Methylphenidate Hydrochloride + Clomipramine Hydrochloride — Minor

About this interaction data. These interactions were identified by automatically scanning FDA prescribing-label text for medications in Bridgeway's library. This is not a complete list and is not a substitute for review by your prescriber or pharmacist, who use comprehensive clinical databases. Always share your full medication list with your care team. How we source this data →

Contraindications (FDA source)

4 CONTRAINDICATIONS Hypersensitivity to methylphenidate or other components of methylphenidate hydrochloride extended-release capsules. Hypersensitivity reactions such as angioedema and anaphylactic reactions have been reported in patients treated with methylphenidate [ s ee Adverse Reactions ( 6.1 )]. Concomitant treatment with monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), or within 14 days following discontinuation of treatment with an MAOI, because of the risk of hypertensive crises [ s ee Drug Interactions ( 7.1 )]. Known hypersensitivity to methylphenidate or product components. ( 4 ) Concurrent treatment with a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI), or use of an MAOI within the preceding 14 days. ( 4 )

Use in Specific Populations (FDA source)

8 USE IN SPECIFIC POPULATIONS Pregnancy Exposure Registry There is a pregnancy exposure registry that monitors pregnancy outcomes in women exposed to ADHD medications, including methylphenidate hydrochloride extended-release capsules during pregnancy. Healthcare providers are encouraged to register patients by calling the National Pregnancy registry for ADHD medications at 1-866-961-2388 or visit https://womensmentalhealth.org/adhd-medications/. 8.1 Pregnancy Risk Summary Published studies and postmarketing reports on methylphenidate use during pregnancy have not identified a drug-associated risk of major birth defects, miscarriage or adverse maternal or fetal outcomes. There may be risks to the fetus associated with the use of CNS stimulants use during pregnancy (see Clinical Considerations) . No effects on morphological development were observed in embryo-fetal development studies with oral administration of methylphenidate to pregnant rats and rabbits during organogenesis at doses up to 10 and 15 times, respectively, the maximum recommended human dose (MRHD) of 60 mg/day given to adolescents on a mg/m 2 basis. However, spina bifida was observed in rabbits at a dose 52 times the MRHD given to adolescents. A decrease in pup body weight was observed in a pre- and post-natal development study with oral administration of methylphenidate to rats throughout pregnancy and lactation at doses 6 times the MRHD given to adolescents (see Data) . The estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated population is unknown. …

Most-Reported Adverse Events (FAERS)

Of 73,541 adverse-event reports mentioning Methylphenidate Hydrochloride submitted to the FDA, the most frequently reported reactions are:

• Off Label Use — 7,839 reports
• Drug Ineffective — 7,636 reports
• No Adverse Event — 7,043 reports
• Product Quality Issue — 5,596 reports
• Fatigue — 3,323 reports
• Headache — 3,182 reports
• Nausea — 3,111 reports
• Anxiety — 2,975 reports
• Insomnia — 2,447 reports
• Depression — 2,436 reports

Source: FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). These are voluntary, unverified reports from patients and providers worldwide — they do not mean the medication caused the reaction, and report counts reflect how widely a drug is used as much as its safety profile.

Recent FDA Recalls

There are 8 ongoing FDA recalls involving Methylphenidate Hydrochloride. See full medication safety feed →