Methylphenidate is used to treat attention disorders (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD) as part of a total treatment plan including psychological, educational and social measures. This medication is also used to treat patients with narcolepsy (a disorder of sleep regulation). When this medication is used to treat ADHD, patients may find they have increased attention, decreased impulsiveness, and decreased hyperactivity (see also Notes section). This medication is a mild stimulant that works by affecting the levels of chemicals (neurotransmitters) in the nervous system.This medication should not be used to treat simple fatigue symptoms.
Abstract
Methylphenidate is a medication that stimulates the central nervous system (CNS or brain) in a manner that is similar to the amphetamines; however, its actions are milder than those of the amphetamines. An additional difference is that methylphenidate produces more noticeable effects on mental activities than on motor activities. Methylphenidate and amphetamines both have abuse potential. In treating children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), methylphenidate produces a calming effect. This results in a reduction in hyperactivity and an improvement in attention span. Methylphenidate also is used to treat excessive sleepiness. Methylphenidate was approved by the FDA in 1955.
[3]
Street Names
Rits
Vitamin R
West coast
[1]
Brand Names
Ritalin,
Ritalin SR,
Ritalin LA,
Concerta,
Methylin,
Methylin ER,
Metadate CD,
Metadate ER
[2]
History
Methylphenidate, synthesized in 1944 and patented in 1954, was first marketed by Ciba-Geigy Pharmaceutical Company as Ritalin. It was initially first used in 1955 for a number of indications. The 1957 Physicians' Desk Reference stated that it was “indicated in chronic fatigue and lethargic and depressed states, including those associated with tranquilizing agents and other drugs; disturbed senile behavior; psychoneuroses and psychoses associated with depression; and in narcolepsy. Methylphenidate is currently available from Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation in both immediate-release and sustained-release tablets for oral administration and is U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)–approved for the treatment of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and narcolepsy. It has unlabeled uses in depression in the elderly, cancer patients, and poststroke patients.
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Pharmacology
The chemical formula for methylphenidate is: C14H19NO2
Methylphenidate is a piperidine derivative that primarily acts as a norepinephrine-dopamine reuptake inhibitor. Methylphenidate is most active at modulating levels of dopamine and to a lesser extent noradrenaline. Similar to amphetamines and cocaine, key targets of methylphenidate are the dopamine transporter (DAT) and noradrenaline transporter (NET). MPH binds to and blocks DAT and NET, inhibiting the transport of the transporters' respective substrates. Moreover, MPH is thought to act as a releasing agent by increasing the release of dopamine and norepinephrine, though to a much lesser extent than amphetamines. Methylphenidate's mechanism of action at dopamine-norepinephrine release is still debated, but is fundamentally different from amphetamines, as methylphenidate is thought to increase general firing rate, whereas amphetamines reverse the flow of the monoamine transporters.Although methylphenidate can be considered an amphetamine derivative, subtle differences exist in its pharmacology; amphetamine works as a dopamine transport substrate whereas methylphenidate works as a dopamine transport blocker.
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Uses
Methylphenidate is used to treat attention disorders (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD) as part of a total treatment plan including psychological, educational and social measures. This medication is also used to treat patients with narcolepsy (a disorder of sleep regulation). When this medication is used to treat ADHD, patients may find they have increased attention, decreased impulsiveness, and decreased hyperactivity (see also Notes section). This medication is a mild stimulant that works by affecting the levels of chemicals (neurotransmitters) in the nervous system.This medication should not be used to treat simple fatigue symptoms.
It should be noted that methykphenidate has high potential for abuse.
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Scheduling
In the US, it is a Schedule II drug.
Psychological and physical addiction liability
The following are the psychological and physical addiction liabilities of Methylphenidate: Suicidal thoughts
Confusion
Chest tightness, chest pain, or heart palpitations
Shortness of breath
Depression (see Ritalin and Depression)
More outgoing or aggressive behavior than normal
Strange behavior
Hallucinations
Agitation or restlessness
Fainting
Seizures
Uncontrolled movements of the head, neck, mouth, arms, or legs
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Withdrawal Effects
Certain symptoms of methylphenidate withdrawal can include, but are not limited to:
Extreme fatigue
Depression
Changes in heart rhythm
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Long term effects
The following may be the long term effects of Methylphenidate:
Permanent damage to blood vessels of heart and brain, high blood pressure leading to heart attacks, strokes and death
Liver, kidney and lung damage
Destruction of tissues in nose if sniffed
Respiratory (breathing) problems if smoked
Infectious diseases and abscesses if injected
Malnutrition, weight loss
Disorientation, apathy, confused exhaustion
Strong psychological dependence
Psychosis
Depression
Damage to the brain including strokes and possibly epilepsy
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Physical effects
Physical effects of methylphenidate are: Increased heart rate, blood pressure, body temperature
Liver, kidney and lung damage
Malnutrition, weight loss
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Psychological treatment options
Among the psychological treatment options are:
Support from family and friends
Contacting a professional counselor.
Medical treatment options
There are no medical treatment options, besides discontinuing the drug.
Pychological Treament
Ritalin abuse treatment can be complicated by the severe psychological dependency that abusers experience, which can cause them to exhibit psychotic behavior when taken off the drug. If the situation is beyond control, the best option would be to contact a counselor.
Related Synthetics
The related synthetic drugs to Methylphenidate are:
Adderal
Adderall XR Capsules
Celexa
Focalin
Lexapro
Norpramin
Ritalin LA
Tofranil
Vyvanse
Zoloft
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References
[1] http://teens.drugabuse.gov/facts/facts_stim1.php
[2] http://www.medicinenet.com/methylphenidate/article.htm
[3] http://www.medicinenet.com/methylphenidate/article.htm
[4] http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC181133/
[5] http://www.pharma.us.novartis.com/product/pi/pdf/focalinXR.pdf
[6] http://www.medicinenet.com/methylphenidate-oral/article.htm
[7] http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2597382/?tool=pmcentrez
[8] http://www.drugfreeworld.org/drugfacts/ritalin/the-vicious-effects-of-prescription-stimulants.html
[9] http://www.rxlist.com/ritalin-drug-center.htm
