Brand Name: Concerta, Daytrana, Metadate CD, Methylin, Ritalin, Ritalin SR, Ritalin LA

  

Generic Name: methylphenidate

 

Usage

 

Concerta

 

Concerta is an extended release tablet and comes in the following strengths:

 

• 18 mg
• 27 mg
• 36 mg
• 54 mg

 

As with all extended release medications, Concerta should be swallowed whole and cannot be crushed.

 

Concerta is normally taken once per day and is generally effective for a 12-hour period of time. As an extended release medication, Concerta reaches maximum concentration within the body after 1 hour and then is gradually released into the body for between five and nine hours. After this time, a gradual decrease of medication is released into the body.

 

Concerta can be taken with or without food.

 

Daytrana (see Daytrana fact sheet)

 

Metadate CD

 

Metadate CD is an immediate/extended release stimulant medication. Thirty percent of the medication is released immediately and the remaining medication is released over several hours. It is available in the following strengths:

 

10 mg

20 mg

30 mg

40 mg

50 mg

60 mg

 

Methylin

 

Methylin is available in a number of different forms. There is an oral suspension formula available in two different strengths: 5mg/5mL and 10mg/5mL.

 

Methylin ER is an extended release formula available in strengths of 5 mg, 10 mg and 20 mg.

 

Methylin Chewable Tablets are available in 2.5 mg, 5 mg and 10 mg.

 Ritalin 

Ritalin is available in three different forms: Ritalin, Ritalin SR and Ritalin LA.

 

Ritalin is available in 5 mg, 10 mg and 20 mg.

 

Ritalin SR is available in tablets with a strength of 20 mg.

 

Ritalin LA is available in tablets with strength of 10 mg, 20 mg, 30 mg and 40 mg.

  Overview: 

Methylphenidate is a central nervous system stimulant. Although the exact reason Concerta works to help control and manage symptoms of ADHD is not fully understood, it is thought to work directly on norepinephrine and dopamine in the brain.

 

Before taking stimulant medication, you should tell your doctor about any and all of the following health conditions you may have, or if there is a family history of any of the following: