Drug Name Indication (include Short-acting, intermediate- Notable side effects /Patient education instructions
(include if IR, XR, approved ages) acting or long-acting.
ODT, LA) Neurotransmitter(s) Duration of_ action, peak
(if
Affected noted) ADHD Table
Target
Sympto_ms
Methylphenidate Indication (include Pharmacokinetics Notable side effects
(D/L). approved ages) Average half-life in • Insomnia, headache, exacerbation of_ tics,
(Concerta, Ritalin) Attention deficit adults is 3.5 hours nervousness, irritability, overstimulation, tremor,
hyperactivity disorder (1.3–7.7 hours) dizziness Anorexia, nausea, abdominal pain,
(ADHD) in children and Average half-life in weight loss Can temporarily slow normal growth
children is 2.5 in children (controversial) Blurred vision
adults (approved ages vary
hours (1.5–5 hours) Transdermal: application site reactions, including
based on formulation) First-pass
Narcolepsy (Metadate ER, contact sensitization (erythema, edema,
metabolism is not papules, vesicles) and chemical leukoderma
Methylin ER, Ritalin, Ritalin extensive with
SR) Nobable side effects link to_ neurotransmitter
transdermal dosing, Increases in norepinephrine peripherally can
Neurotransmitter(s) thus cause auto_nomic side effects, including tremor,
Affected resulting in notably tachycardia, tachycardia, hypertension, and
dopamine, norepinephrine higher exposure to_ cardiac arrhythmias
reuptake inhibito_r and methylphenidate and Increases in norepinephrine and
releaser (DN-RIRe) lower exposure to_ dopamine centrally can cause CNS side
Target Sympto_ms metabolites as effects such as
Concentration, attention compared to_ oral o insomnia, agitation, psychosis, and
span Moto_r hyperactivity dosing substance abuse
Impulsiveness Physical and Immediate-release Patient education instructions
mental fatigue Daytime formulations Use with caution in patients with any degree of_
sleepiness Depression (Ritalin, Methylin, hypertension, hyperthyroidism, or histo_ry of_
generic drug abuse
methylphenidate) Children who are not growing or gaining
have 2–4 hour weight should sto_p treatment, at least
temporarily
durations of_ clinical
May worsen moto_r and phonic tics
action
May worsen sympto_ms of_ thought disorder
Sustained-release and behavioral disturbance in psychotic patients
formulations such
Stimulants have a high potential for abuse
as Methylin ER, and must be used with caution in anyone with a
Ritalin SR, Metadate current or past histo_ry of_ substance abuse or
ER, and generic o alcoholism or in emotionally unstable
methylphenidate patients
sustained-release all
have approximately
4–6 hour durations
of_
c l i n i c a l a c ti n
1 8 : 5 5 :4 6 G M To_ -
(include if IR, XR, approved ages) acting or long-acting.
ODT, LA) Neurotransmitter(s) Duration of_ action, peak
(if
Affected noted) ADHD Table
Target
Sympto_ms
Methylphenidate Indication (include Pharmacokinetics Notable side effects
(D/L). approved ages) Average half-life in • Insomnia, headache, exacerbation of_ tics,
(Concerta, Ritalin) Attention deficit adults is 3.5 hours nervousness, irritability, overstimulation, tremor,
hyperactivity disorder (1.3–7.7 hours) dizziness Anorexia, nausea, abdominal pain,
(ADHD) in children and Average half-life in weight loss Can temporarily slow normal growth
children is 2.5 in children (controversial) Blurred vision
adults (approved ages vary
hours (1.5–5 hours) Transdermal: application site reactions, including
based on formulation) First-pass
Narcolepsy (Metadate ER, contact sensitization (erythema, edema,
metabolism is not papules, vesicles) and chemical leukoderma
Methylin ER, Ritalin, Ritalin extensive with
SR) Nobable side effects link to_ neurotransmitter
transdermal dosing, Increases in norepinephrine peripherally can
Neurotransmitter(s) thus cause auto_nomic side effects, including tremor,
Affected resulting in notably tachycardia, tachycardia, hypertension, and
dopamine, norepinephrine higher exposure to_ cardiac arrhythmias
reuptake inhibito_r and methylphenidate and Increases in norepinephrine and
releaser (DN-RIRe) lower exposure to_ dopamine centrally can cause CNS side
Target Sympto_ms metabolites as effects such as
Concentration, attention compared to_ oral o insomnia, agitation, psychosis, and
span Moto_r hyperactivity dosing substance abuse
Impulsiveness Physical and Immediate-release Patient education instructions
mental fatigue Daytime formulations Use with caution in patients with any degree of_
sleepiness Depression (Ritalin, Methylin, hypertension, hyperthyroidism, or histo_ry of_
generic drug abuse
methylphenidate) Children who are not growing or gaining
have 2–4 hour weight should sto_p treatment, at least
temporarily
durations of_ clinical
May worsen moto_r and phonic tics
action
May worsen sympto_ms of_ thought disorder
Sustained-release and behavioral disturbance in psychotic patients
formulations such
Stimulants have a high potential for abuse
as Methylin ER, and must be used with caution in anyone with a
Ritalin SR, Metadate current or past histo_ry of_ substance abuse or
ER, and generic o alcoholism or in emotionally unstable
methylphenidate patients
sustained-release all
have approximately
4–6 hour durations
of_
c l i n i c a l a c ti n
1 8 : 5 5 :4 6 G M To_ -
