Adults who are taking three doses should take the last dose before 6:00 pm, so that the medication will not cause difficulty in falling asleep or staying asleep. The regular tablets, chewable tablets (Methylin), and solution (Methylin) are usually taken two to three times a day by adults and twice a day by children, preferably 35 to 40 minutes before meals. All of these forms of methylphenidate are taken by mouth. The long-acting tablet, orally disintegrating tablets, and capsules supply some medication right away and release the remaining amount as a steady dose of medication over a longer time. Methylphenidate comes as an immediate-release tablet, a chewable tablet, a solution (liquid), a long-acting (extended-release) suspension (liquid), an intermediate-acting (extended-release) tablet, a long-acting (extended-release) capsule, a long-acting (extended-release) tablet, a long-acting (extended-release) chewable tablet, and a long-acting (extended-release) orally disintegrating tablet (tablet that dissolves quickly in the mouth). You can also visit the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) website ( ) or the manufacturer's website to obtain the Medication Guide. Read the information carefully and ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions. Your doctor or pharmacist will give you the manufacturer's patient information sheet (Medication Guide) when you begin treatment with methylphenidate and each time you get more medication.

Keep track of how much medication is left so you will know if any is missing. Store methylphenidate in a safe place so no one else can take it accidentally or on purpose. Selling or giving away methylphenidate may harm others and is against the law. Your doctor may need to monitor you carefully after you stop taking methylphenidate, even if you have not overused the medication, because your symptoms may worsen when treatment is stopped.ĭo not sell, give away, or let anyone else take your medication. You may develop severe depression if you suddenly stop taking methylphenidate after overusing it. Your doctor will probably decrease your dose gradually and monitor you carefully during this time. Tell your doctor if you drink or have ever drunk large amounts of alcohol, use or have ever used street drugs, or have overused prescription medications.ĭo not stop taking methylphenidate without talking to your doctor, especially if you have overused the medication. If you take too much methylphenidate, you may find that the medication no longer controls your symptoms, you may feel a need to take large amounts of the medication, and you may experience unusual changes in your behavior. Do not take a larger dose, take it more often, take it for a longer time, or take it in a different way than prescribed by your doctor.

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