What is Methylphenidate?
Category: Prescription Drugs
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Methylphenidate is a central nervous system stimulant used in the treatment of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and for symptomatic management of narcolepsy. It may also be used for depression, especially in the elderly or medically ill.
| Purpose | Patients | Evaluations | Perceived Effectiveness |
|---|---|---|---|
| Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder | 1205 | 293 | |
| Fatigue | 501 | 232 | |
| Narcolepsy | 331 | 25 | |
| Brain fog | 199 | 51 | |
| Problems concentrating | 176 | 105 | |
| Idiopathic hypersomnia | 107 | 16 |
- Major
- Moderate
- Slight
- None
- Can't tell
Side effects
Side effects as an overall problem
| Severity | Evaluations | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Severe | 68 | |
| Moderate | 128 | |
| Mild | 201 | |
| None | 290 |
Commonly reported side effects and conditions associated with Methylphenidate
| Side effect | Patients | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Decreased appetite | 47 | |
| Anxious mood | 23 | |
| Dry mouth | 22 | |
| Irritability | 22 | |
| Jittery feeling | 17 | |
| Headaches | 13 |
Why patients stopped taking Methylphenidate
Multiple reasons could be selected
| Reason | Patients | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Did not seem to work | 227 | |
| Side effects too severe | 170 | |
| Doctor's advice | 131 | |
| Other | 120 | |
| Personal research | 28 | |
| Course of treatment ended | 23 | |
| Change in health plan coverage | 14 | |
| Expense | 13 |
Duration
Stopped taking Methylphenidate
| Duration | Patients | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Less than 1 month | 108 | |
| 1 - 6 months | 133 | |
| 6 months - 1 year | 74 | |
| 1 - 2 years | 79 | |
| 2 - 5 years | 76 | |
| 5 - 10 years | 40 | |
| 10 years or more | 15 |
What people switch to and from
Patients started taking Methylphenidate after stopping:
| Treatment | Patients | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Amphetamine-Dextroamphetamine (Adderall) | 37 | |
| Modafinil (Provigil) | 14 | |
| Atomoxetine (Strattera) | 10 | |
| Lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse) | 10 | |
| Methylphenidate (Ritalin) | 9 |
Patients stopped taking Methylphenidate and switched to:
| Treatment | Patients | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Amphetamine-Dextroamphetamine (Adderall) | 95 | |
| Lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse) | 37 | |
| Modafinil (Provigil) | 26 | |
| Atomoxetine (Strattera) | 11 | |
| Dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine) | 9 |
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