Methylin is the brand name for the generic drug Methlphenidate manufactured by Mallinckrodt Inc and it is available in chewable tablets in strengths of 2.5 mg, 5 mg and 10 mg. It is a prescription drug for ADHD and it works on the central nervous system to help calm the patient.
Indications
The medication is used to treat ADD, ADHD and narcolepsy. This medication must be had with a minimum of eight ounces of water or else there could be choking. It is a prescription drug for both children and adults who suffer from this ailment.
Action
It works on the chemicals that are present in the brain as well as the nerves which are responsible for a lack of control and hyperactivity. It is a central nervous stimulant which works on the brain to calm it and make the person be in better control of himself and his feelings as well as actions.
Side Effects
This drug has side effects that could affect some people who are being treated by it. There could be stomach ache, insomnia, increased heart rate or blood pressure, loss of appetite or nervousness. There have also been cases of fever, urticaria, headache, dizziness or palpitations of the heart as well as, in rare cases, strokes. If the therapy is on for a long time, weight loss has been reported. There have been a few cases where hair loss and depression were reported as well as seizures and vision blurring.
Caution
You must be careful when you use this medication along with other medications. Your doctor is the best person to advise you so you should tell him about everything that you are taking including any supplements or vitamins. There must not be a daily dose above 60 mg. Close monitoring is necessary in children who are on this drug to ensure that their height is not being affected. Caution should also be exercised when the patient also suffers from bipolar disorders and the patient will have to be screened well before medication is started. There have been instances of sudden death in both children and adults and it is imperative to be under a doctor’s care and not to increase dosages or miss doses and then try to make up without consulting the doctor. There are also instances where the treatment brings out manic symptoms or extreme aggression.
Contraindications
It would be contraindicated in any women who is pregnant or nursing a baby. It is also contraindicated in people who have Tourette’s Syndrome, severe tics, severe heart ailments high blood pressure, or severe anxiety. Young children below six years should not be prescribed the medication.