Things You'll Need:
- Medication
- Medication Information Insert
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Step 1
Understand the usage guidelines. Methylphenidate is a powerful drug and it should be used as directed. Because the drug is addictive, individuals should not stop taking the medication without first consulting their physicians. Patients who are using the skin patch should not remove the patch from its sealed container until they are ready to place it on their skin. Used patches should be discarded immediately in a trash can and kept away from pets and children as it can still contain the drug. Tables and capsules should be taken whole and not broken or crushed.
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Step 2
Understand the drug considerations. This drug can retard growth in children. Children who are taking Methylphenidate should be closely monitored by their doctor to ensure they are growing at a healthy rate. Children and adults will need to visit their doctors regularly while taking the medication and routine blood testing may be required to ensure the medication is having no adverse effects on the body. Individuals who take MAO inhibitors will have to be free of the drug for at least two weeks before starting Methylphenidate.
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Step 3
Understand the side effects. Methylphenidate can produce unwanted side effects. The most common side effects include swelling at the patch site, bumps and/or blisters on the skin, sleeplessness, loss of appetite, nervousness/anxiousness, stuffy nose, and flushing. Less common side effects include anger, fear, nervousness, stomach pain, dizziness, drowsiness, excitability, headache, muscle aches, nausea and hair loss. Patients who have chest pain or develop a fast heartbeat while taking Methylphenidate should immediately contact their physicians. Methylphenidate overdose symptoms include large pupils, vomiting, muscle twitches, increased sweating, hallucinations, agitation, fever, confusion, severe headache, pounding heart, trembling, agitation and convulsions.
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Step 4
Understand the drug interactions. Methylphenidate can be dangerous when it’s combined with certain medications. Medications that should not be combined with Methylphenidate include: Brofaromine, Clorgyline, Furazolidone, Iproniazid, Isocarboxazid, Lazabemide, Linezolid, Moclobemide, Nialamide, Pargyline, Phenelzine, Procarbazine, Rasagiline, Selegiline, Toloxatone and Tranylcypromine.
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Step 5
Understand how the drug interacts with medical conditions. Medical problems that should be reported to physicians prior to being prescribed Methylphenidate include: Tourette’s syndrome, motor tics, glaucoma, alcohol abuse, drug abuse, depression, tension, anxiety, psychosis, heart problems, blood vessel problems, blood pressure problems, skin problems, seizures and thyroid problems.
