Ritalin® tablet

methylphenidate hydrochloride
10 mg immediate release tablets
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Consumer Medicine Information

What is in this leaflet What Ritalin is used enhance an inattentive person's

natural ability.
for
This leaflet answers some common Ritalin is part of a treatment program
questions about Ritalin tablets. Ritalin tablets contain the active which usually includes physiological,
It does not contain all the available ingredient methylphenidate educational, and social therapy.
information. It does not take the hydrochloride. Methylphenidate
place of talking to your doctor or hydrochloride is a central nervous
pharmacist. system stimulant. Like all medicines Narcolepsy
containing central nervous system Narcolepsy is a sleep-attack disorder.
The information in this leaflet was
stimulants, Ritalin will be given to It is not a normal fatigue state.
last updated on the date listed on the
you only under close medical People with narcolepsy have
final page. More recent information
supervision and after diagnosis. recurring attacks of irresistible day-
on the medicine may be available.
Ritalin tablets have two uses. They time sleepiness in spite of having
You should ensure that you speak enough sleep at night. It can be
are used to treat:
to your pharmacist or doctor to diagnosed by a doctor by recording
obtain the most up to date • Attention Deficit Hyperactivity
wake-sleep patterns.
information on the medicine. You Disorder (ADHD); and
Ask your doctor if you have any
can also download the most up to • Narcolepsy
date leaflet from questions about why this medicine
Your doctor may have prescribed it has been prescribed for you or
www.medsafe.govt.nz. for another purpose. your child.
Those updates may contain important This medicine should not be used This medicine is only available with
information about the medicine and to prevent or treat normal fatigue.
its use of which you should be aware. a doctor's prescription and your
doctor has special permission to
All medicines have risks and prescribe it.
benefits. Your doctor has weighed ADHD
the risks of you or your child taking There is not enough information to
ADHD or hyperkinetic disorder is a recommend its use in children under
this medicine against the benefits behavioural disorder in children, 6 years old.
they expect it will provide. adolescents, and adults. About 3% of
Note: Ritalin is a controlled drug B2.
If you have any concerns about this children suffer from ADHD, which
medicine, ask your doctor or It should be kept in a secure place
makes them unable to sit still or
pharmacist. and under no circumstances should
concentrate on tasks for any length of
it be given to anyone else.
Keep this leaflet with the medicine. time. They may have trouble
learning and doing school work.
You may need to read it again.
They frequently become difficult to
manage, both in school and at home.
Before you/your child
Ritalin is thought to work by
regulating specific chemicals in the
take Ritalin
brain that affect behaviour. It helps to
focus attention, shut out distraction When you must not take it
and allows impulsive people to think Do not take Ritalin if you or your
before they act. If successful, it will child are allergic (hypersensitive)
to methylphenidate (the active

RITALIN® tablets 1
ingredient in Ritalin) or to any of blood pressure and severe or if your brothers or sisters have
the other ingredients listed at the convulsions. tics
end of this leaflet. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if • acute mental disorders that cause
Some of the symptoms of an allergic you are not sure if you or your abnormal thinking and
reaction may include shortness of child have been taking one of these perceptions (psychosis) or feeling
breath, wheezing or difficulty medicines. unusually excited, over-active
breathing; swelling of the face, lips, Do not take this medicine after the and un-inhibited (acute mania) –
tongue or other parts of the body; expiry date printed on the pack or your doctor will have told you if
rash, itching or hives on the skin. if the packaging is torn or shows you have this
Do not take Ritalin if you or your signs of tampering. • psychotic symptoms such as
child have any of the following In that case, return it to your seeing or feeling things that are
medical conditions: pharmacist. not really there (hallucinations)
• periods of severe anxiety, tension • aggressive behaviour
or agitation Before you/your child start • suicidal thoughts or behaviour.
• Tourette’s syndrome (a condition to take it
Your doctor may want to take special
with uncontrolled speech and Tell your doctor if you or your precautions if you or your child have
body movements or tics) or you child are allergic to any other any of the above conditions.
have a family history of this medicines, foods, dyes or
disorder preservatives.
• glaucoma (increased pressure in Tell your doctor if you are
Your doctor will want to know if you pregnant or breast-feeding. Ask
the eye) or your child are prone to allergies. your doctor about the risks and
• an overactive thyroid or other Tell your doctor if you or your benefits of taking Ritalin in this
thyroid problems child have intolerance to lactose or case. Ritalin is not to be used
• heart problems such as heart gluten. during pregnancy unless
attack, irregular heartbeat, chest This medicine contains lactose and specifically prescribed by your
pain (angina), heart failure, heart wheat starch. doctor.
disease or if you were born with a This medicine may affect your
Tell your doctor if you or your
heart problem developing baby if you take it while
child have any of the following
• very high blood pressure medical conditions or behaviours: you are pregnant.
(hypertension) or narrowing of
• any heart defects (e.g. structural Do not breast-feed during
the blood vessels (arterial treatment with Ritalin.
cardiac abnormality)
occlusive disease, that can cause
pain in the arms and legs) • a family history of sudden death The active ingredient in Ritalin can
or irregular heart beat pass into the breast milk.
• severe depression or other mental
illness • hardening of the arteries
Taking other medicines
• pheochromocytoma (a rare • any other current or previous
heart problems Tell your doctor if you or your child
tumour of the adrenal gland,
are taking any other medicines,
which sits near the kidney) • any disorders of the blood vessels including medicines that you buy
If you are not sure whether any of in the brain, e.g. weakening of the without a prescription from a
the above medical conditions apply blood vessel (aneurysm), stroke, pharmacy, supermarket or health
to you or your child, check with or inflammation of blood vessels food shop.
your doctor. (vasculitis)
Some medicines and Ritalin may
Do not take Ritalin if you or your • severe depression, bipolar interfere with each other. These
child are taking a medicine called a disorder or other mental illness include:
monoamine oxidase inhibitor • epilepsy (seizures, convulsions, • medicines that increase blood
(MAOI) or have been taking it or fits) pressure
within the past 14 days.
• high blood pressure • alpha 2 agonists like clonidine
Taking Ritalin together with MAOI
• history of alcohol or drug abuse (used to treat high blood pressure)
medicines may cause a serious
or dependence • oral anticoagulants or warfarin
reaction with a sudden increase in
body temperature, extremely high • tics (muscle twitching which is (medicines used to prevent blood
usually in the face or shoulders) clots)

RITALIN® tablets 2
• some anticonvulsants (medicines individual patient’s medical need and doctor about the best time to take
used to treat epilepsy or fits) response. the last dose of Ritalin for the day.
• medicines used to treat For children and adolescents, the Each dose is usually taken 1 or 2
depression, such as tricyclic maximum daily dose of Ritalin hours before the greatest effect is
antidepressants and monoamine tablet(s) is 60 mg. needed. For example, a child may
oxidase inhibitors (MAO For adults, the maximum daily dose take a dose at 7:00 a.m. so that
inhibitors) of Ritalin tablet(s) is 60 mg for improved concentration begins when
• phenylbutazone (used to treat narcolepsy and 80 mg for ADHD. school starts. If the child tends to
pain or fever) misbehave during the lunchtime play
Do not exceed the recommended
period, the next dose can be taken
• guanethidine dose.
before the lunch break.
• anaesthetics
Children aged 6 or over In some patients Ritalin may cause
• medicines that influence the level sleeplessness. To avoid difficulty in
of dopamine in the body Ritalin tablet 10 mg falling asleep, the last dose of Ritalin
(dopaminergic medicines used to The usual starting dose is 5 mg (half tablets should be taken before 6 p.m.
treat Parkinson’s disease or a tablet) once or twice each day. If unless the doctor recommends
psychosis) otherwise.
necessary, the dose can be increased
• medicines that raise the level of by 5 or 10 mg each week up to a
serotonin in the body maximum of 60 mg (6 tablets) each How long to take Ritalin
(serotonergic medicines, for day. Continue taking Ritalin tablet for
example those used to treat If the dose is one-half tablet, there is as long as your doctor tells you.
depression like sertraline and
a break-line on the tablet to help you This medicine helps to control your
venlafaxine).
cut it. You can buy a tablet cutter or your child's symptoms but does
You or your child may need to take from your pharmacist to make sure not cure your condition. Your doctor
different amounts of your medicines the dose is accurate. will check your or your child's
or you or your child may need to take progress to make sure the medicine is
different medicines. Your doctor and Adults working and will discuss with you
pharmacist have more information. how long your treatment should
Ritalin tablet 10 mg
If you have not told your doctor continue.
The usual dose is 20 to 30 mg (2-3
about any of these things, tell If you are unsure, talk to your
tablets) each day but some people
him/her before you or your child doctor.
may need more or less than that.
start taking this medicine.
Treatment for ADHD varies in length
Your doctor and pharmacist have Your doctor will decide on the from patient to patient. During
more information on medicines to be most suitable dosage. How to treatment for ADHD, your doctor
careful with or avoid while taking take it may stop Ritalin every so often (e.g.
Ritalin. over weekends or school holidays
You can take Ritalin tablets with and long vacations) to see whether it
or without food (e.g. at breakfast is still needed. Breaks from
and/or lunch). treatment also help to prevent a slow-
How to take Ritalin Swallow the tablet(s) with a full down in growth that sometimes
glass of water or other liquid. happens when children take this
Follow all directions given to you medicine for a long time.
If the tablet(s) upset you or your
by your doctor and pharmacist child's stomach, you or your child
carefully. If you/your child forget to
can take them with food, but
They may differ from the always take them in the same way take it
information contained in this leaflet. (e.g. always with food or always If you or your child forget to take a
If you do not understand the without food). dose of Ritalin, take the dose as
instructions on the label, ask your That way the effect will always be soon as you remember. Then
doctor or pharmacist for help. the same. make sure to wait the same amount
of time as usual before you or your
How much to take When to take it child take the next dose. For
Your doctor will decide on the most example, if there are usually 4
If you find that you or your child
suitable dosage according to the hours between doses, wait 4 hours
have trouble sleeping, talk to your
before taking the next dose and so

RITALIN® tablets 3
on for the rest of that day. On the Be sure to keep all of your doctor's Do not take this medicine to treat
next day go back to your usual appointments so that your or your any other complaints unless your
times. child's progress can be checked. doctor tells you to.
Do not take a double dose to make Your doctor will want to check blood Do not give it to anyone else, even
up for the one that you or your pressure, height, weight and do blood if their condition seems similar to
child missed. tests from time to time to prevent yours.
Your chance of an unwanted side unwanted side effects from
effect may be increased if you do. happening. Things to be careful of
If you have trouble remembering If your child is not growing or Be careful driving, operating
when to take your medicine, ask gaining height or weight as expected machinery or doing jobs that
your pharmacist for some hints. treatment with Ritalin may need to be require you/your child to be alert
interrupted. while you are taking Ritalin until
If you/your child take too If you become pregnant while you know how it affects you.
much (overdose) taking Ritalin, tell your doctor. This medicine may cause
Immediately telephone your doctor Your doctor can discuss with you the hallucinations, dizziness, drowsiness,
risks and benefits of taking it while blurred vision, or other central
or the National Poisons
Information Centre, Dunedin you are pregnant. nervous system side effects which
(telephone 0800 POISON or 0800 can affect concentration in some
If you/your child are about to be
people. If you experience any of
764 766) for advice, or go to started on any new medicine,
Accident and Emergency these symptoms, do not drive, use
remind your doctor and
Department at your nearest machines, or do anything else that
pharmacist that you/your child are
needs quick reactions or could be
hospital if you think that you or taking Ritalin.
dangerous.
anyone else may have taken too Tell any doctor, dentist or
much Ritalin. Do this even if there Ritalin may give a false positive
pharmacist who treats you/your
are no signs of discomfort or result when testing for drug use. This
child that you are taking Ritalin.
poisoning. Keep the telephone includes testing used in sport.
numbers for these places handy. Things you must not do Some children taking Ritalin for a
Some of the symptoms of an long time may have slower than
Do not drink alcohol whilst you are normal growth, but they usually
overdose may include vomiting,
taking Ritalin. Remember that catch up once the treatment is
agitation, headache, tremors, muscle
some foods and medicines contain stopped.
twitching, irregular heartbeat,
alcohol.
flushing, fever, sweating, dilated In some patients Ritalin may cause
pupils, breathing problems, Alcohol can worsen some of the stomach upset, loss of appetite and
confusion seizures and muscle unwanted effects of this medicine, difficulty sleeping, especially at the
spasms accompanied by fever and such as dizziness and drowsiness. start of treatment. Your doctor can
red-brown urine. Do not stop treatment without first usually help to reduce these
checking with your doctor. symptoms by lowering the dose of
If you/your child suddenly stop Ritalin or changing the times when
taking this medicine, your condition the tablets are taken.
While you are taking may reappear or you may get If you experience abnormally
Ritalin unwanted effects such as depression. sustained or frequent and painful
To prevent this, your doctor may erections of the penis on Ritalin 10
Things you must do want to gradually reduce the amount treatment or after treatment
of medicine you take each day before discontinuation, you may need urgent
Take Ritalin exactly as your doctor
stopping it completely. medical treatment. This can occur in
has prescribed.
You will need medical supervision any age group.
Like all stimulants, this medicine
after having interrupted the If this occurs, tell your doctor
may become habit-forming and can
treatment. immediately.
be abused by some people. If you or
your child take it correctly as Do not change the dose without If taking Ritalin with medicines that
instructed by your doctor, abuse or talking to your doctor. If you have raise the level of serotonin in the
dependence should not be a problem, the impression that the effect of body (serotonergic medicines, e.g.
either now or later in life. Ritalin is too strong or too weak, sertraline and venlafaxine used to
talk to your doctor. treat depression) and you experience

RITALIN® tablets 4
a combination of the following • dizziness • unusual tiredness, shortness of
symptoms: restlessness, tremor, • irritability breath when exercising, dizziness,
sudden muscle contractions, pale skin
abnormal high temperature, nausea • blurred vision or problems
focussing your eyes • involuntary shaking of the body
and vomiting stop treatment with (signs of tremor) such as
Ritalin and these medicines and tell • muscle cramps
uncontrollable twitching, jerking
your doctor immediately. • hair loss or writhing movements
Tell your doctor if you are going to • hives • seizures (fits) or unexplained
have an operation.
• joint pain fainting
You should not take Ritalin on the • pain or tightness in the chest
• toothache
day of your operation if a certain
type of anaesthetic is used. This is • excessive sweating • fast or irregular heartbeat
because there is a chance of a sudden • abnormal heart rhythm • yellow colour to the skin or eyes,
rise in blood pressure during the dark coloured urine or light
• palpitations
operation. coloured bowel motions
• excessive emotional distress, or
• confusion, delusions or
emotional excitement
hallucinations (seeing or feeling
• decreased weight things that are not really there)
Side effects • feeling jittery • excitement, overactivity and
Tell your doctor or pharmacist as • feeling depressed uninhibited behaviour
soon as possible if you do not feel • feeling aggressive • severe or persistent headache
well while you are taking Ritalin. • excessive teeth grinding • uncontrolled speech and body
movements (Tourette’s
All medicines can have side effects. • spasms of the jaw muscles that
Sometimes they are serious, most of syndrome)
makes it difficult to open the
the time they are not. You may need mouth • prolonged erection, causing
medical treatment if you get some of discomfort of the penis (sign of
• stuttering
the side effects. priapism).
• bedwetting in children at night
Do not be alarmed by these lists of • Thoughts or attempts of killing
possible side effects. You may not Tell your doctor immediately or go yourself (suicidal ideation or
experience any of them. Ask your to Accident and Emergency at attempt, including completed
doctor or pharmacist to answer your nearest hospital if you notice suicide)
any questions you may have. any of the following:
• Fingers and toes feeling numb,
Tell your doctor if you notice any • signs of allergy such as swelling feeling cold, tingling and
of the following and they worry of the face, lips or tongue, changing colour (from white to
you: shortness of breath, wheezing or blue, then red) when cold
troubled breathing as these are
• nausea (feeling sick), vomiting or (Raynaud's phenomenon,
signs of a severe allergic reaction peripheral coldness)
stomach pain
• weakness or paralysis of limbs or
• upset stomach, or indigestion The above side effects may be
face, difficulty speaking, or serious. You may need urgent
• loss of appetite unexplained fainting medical attention.
• sore throat and runny nose • skin rash, itching, red blotches, Additional side effects that
• loss of weight and slower growth blisters or peeling of the skin occurred with other medicines
in children • sudden increase in body containing the same drug
• feeling nervous, anxious or temperature, sweating, fast substance of Ritalin:
agitated heartbeat, chest pain, muscle • Inflammation of the nasal
• feeling jittery stiffness and fluctuating blood passages and throat
pressure, which may lead to coma
• restlessness or inability to sleep • Swelling of the ears (a symptom
• constant "flu-like" symptoms of allergic reaction);
• dry mouth such as chills, fever, sore throat
• Feeling irritated, aggression,
• headache and runny nose, swollen glands,
mood changes, abnormal
• cough aching muscles or joints
behaviour or thinking, anger,
• drowsiness • unusual bleeding or bruising excessive awareness of

RITALIN® tablets 5
 surroundings, feeling unusually • Do not leave it in the car or on Telephone 0800 354 335
excited, over-active and un- window sills. ®
= Registered Trademark
inhibited (mania), feeling Heat and dampness can destroy some
disorientated, changes in sex medicines. Ritalin will keep well if it
drive, lack of feeling or emotion, This leaflet was prepared in
is cool and dry.
doing things over and over November 2021, based on the
again, being obsessed with one Keep this medicine where children currently approved data sheet for this
thing, confusion, addiction cannot reach it. product.

• Temporary muscle weakness, A locked cupboard at least one-and-

a-half metres above the ground is a
loss of skin sensation or other
good place to store medicines. Internal Document Code:
functions of the body due to a
temporary lack of blood supply (rtl090222cNZ) based on data sheet
to the brain (reversible ischemic
Disposal (rtl090222iNZ)
neurological deficit), migraine If your doctor tells you to stop
• Double vision, dilated pupils, taking this medicine or the expiry
trouble seeing date has passed, ask your
pharmacist what to do with any
• Stopped heartbeat, heart attack
medicine you have left over.
• Sore throat, shortness of breath;
• Diarrhoea, constipation;
• Swelling of face and throat,
redness of the skin, large red Product description
blotches on the skin appearing
within a few hours of taking the What it looks like
medicine;
Ritalin 10 mg
• Muscle pain, muscle twitching;
• Blood in the urine Round white tablet, marked “CG” on
• Swelling of the breasts in men one side and “AB” with a break-line
• Chest pain, tiredness, sudden on the other; packs of 30 tablets.
death
Ingredients
• Abnormal sounds from heart.
Tell your doctor if any of these side Ritalin 10 mg tablets contain 10 mg
effects occur or if you notice of methylphenidate hydrochloride as
anything else that is making you the active ingredient. They also
feel unwell. contain:

Some people may have other side • lactose

effects not yet known or mentioned • calcium phosphate (E341)
in this leaflet. • gelatin
• magnesium stearate (E572)
• purified talc (E553b)
After taking Ritalin • wheat starch

Storage Sponsor
• Keep the tablets in the original Ritalin tablets are supplied in New
container until it is time to take a Zealand by:
dose. Novartis New Zealand Limited
• Store Ritalin in a cool dry place, PO Box 99102
below 30°C.
Newmarket
• Do not store Ritalin or any other
Auckland 1149
medicine in the bathroom or near
a sink.

RITALIN® tablets 6