Methylphenidate: How Should I Take Methylphenidate

Content provided by Cerner Multum, Inc.

How should I take methylphenidate?

Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

Take this medication at least 30 minutes before a meal. The extended-release forms of methylphenidate (Ritalin-SR, Metadate ER, Metadate CD, Methylin ER, Concerta) can be taken with or without food.

The chewable tablet must be chewed before you swallow it.

Do not crush, chew, or break an extended-release tablet. Swallow the pill whole. It is specially made to release medicine slowly in the body. Breaking the pill would cause too much of the drug to be released at one time.

If you have trouble swallowing the extended-release capsule, you may open the capsule and sprinkle the medicine into a spoonful of applesauce to make swallowing easier. Swallow this mixture right away without chewing. Do not save the mixture for later use. Discard the empty capsule.

Measure liquid medicine with a special dose-measuring spoon or cup, not a regular table spoon. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one.

To prevent sleep problems, take this medication early in the day, no later than 6:00 pm.

Store methylphenidate at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

Keep track of how many pills have been used from each new bottle of this medicine. Methylphenidate is a drug of abuse and you should be aware if any person in the household is using this medicine improperly or without a prescription.

Last updated:	August 22, 2008