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| Pronunciation |
|
 (dex
meth il FEN i
date) |
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| Brand Names |
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| Focalin™ |
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| Therapeutic
Categories |
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Central Nervous System Stimulant |
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| Reasons not to take this
medicine |
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Do not give this medicine to a child younger than 6 years of age.
Do not give this medicine to a child with attention
deficit/hyperactivity disorder and Tourette's syndrome or tics.
If you have an allergy to dexmethylphenidate, methylphenidate, or any
other part of this medicine.
Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make
sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling
about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of
face, lips, tongue, or throat; or any other symptoms involved.
If you have any of the following conditions: Drug abuse, glaucoma,
heart disease, high blood pressure, nervous condition, or overactive thyroid
gland.
If you have taken isocarboxazid, phenelzine, or tranylcypromine in
the last 14 days. Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (eg, isocarboxazid, phenelzine,
and tranylcypromine) must be stopped 14 days before this medicine is started.
Taking the two together could cause dangerously high blood pressure.
If you are breast-feeding. |
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| What is this medicine used
for? |
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This medicine is used to treat attention deficit disorder with
hyperactivity. |
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| How does it work? |
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Dexmethylphenidate has a stabilizing effect in children with
attention deficit disorder. |
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| How is it best taken? |
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Take this medicine with or without food. Take with food if it causes
an upset stomach.
Swallow whole. Do not chew, break, or crush.
Take the second dose of the day at least 4 hours after the first
one. |
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| What do I do if I miss a
dose? |
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Take a missed dose as soon as possible.
If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and
return to your regular schedule.
Do not take a double dose or extra doses.
Do not change dose or stop medicine. Talk with healthcare
provider. |
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| What are the precautions when
taking this
medicine? |
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|
This medicine may be habit-forming with long-term use.
If you have seizures, talk with healthcare provider.
Check medicines with healthcare provider. This medicine may not mix
well with other medicines.
If you are taking this medicine and have high blood pressure, talk
with healthcare provider before using over-the-counter products that may
increase blood pressure. These include cough or cold remedies, diet pills,
stimulants, ibuprofen or like products, and certain natural products or
supplements.
Avoid caffeine (for example, tea, coffee, cola) and chocolate intake.
Use with this medicine may cause nervousness, shakiness, and fast heartbeat.
Tell healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan on getting
pregnant. |
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| What are the common side effects
of this
medicine? |
|
|
High blood pressure.
Feeling dizzy. Rise slowly over several minutes from sitting or lying
position. Be careful climbing.
Nervous and excitable.
Belly pain.
Nausea or vomiting. Small frequent meals, frequent mouth care,
sucking hard candy, or chewing gum may help.
Not hungry.
Inability to sleep. |
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| What should I monitor? |
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Change in condition being treated. Is it better, worse, or about the
same?
Check blood pressure and heart rate regularly if you have heart
disease.
Follow up with healthcare provider. |
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| Reasons to call healthcare
provider
immediately |
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If you suspect an overdose, call your local poison control center
immediately or dial 911.
Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing; chest
tightness; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits; or swelling of
face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Chest pain or pressure, fast heartbeat, or passing out.
Very nervous and excitable.
Severe headache.
Any rash.
No improvement in condition or feeling
worse. |
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| How should I store this
medicine? |
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Store at room temperature.
Protect from heat.
Protect from light.
Protect from moisture. Do not store in a bathroom or
kitchen. |
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| General statements |
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Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's
medicine.
Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, natural products,
supplements, vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare
provider (doctor, nurse, nurse practitioner, pharmacist, physician assistant).
Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine,
including over-the-counter, natural products, or
vitamins. |
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