Mosby's 2014 Nursing Drug Reference (263 page)

methylphenidate (Rx)

(meth-ill-fen′i-date)

Biphentin
, Concerta, Daytrana, Metadate CD, Metadate ER, Methylin, Quillivant XR, Ritalin, Ritalin LA, Ritalin SR

Func. class.:
Cerebral stimulant

Chem. class.:
Piperidine derivative

 

Controlled Substance Schedule II

Do not confuse:
methylphenidate
/methadone

ACTION:

Increases release of norepinephrine, dopamine in cerebral cortex to reticular activating system; exact action not known

USES:

Attention deficit disorder (ADD), attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD); narcolepsy (except Concerta, Metadate CD, Ritalin LA)

CONTRAINDICATIONS:

Children <6 yr, hypersensitivity, anxiety, history of Gilles de la Tourette’s syndrome; glaucoma, anorexia nervosa, tartrazine dye hypersensitivity

Precautions:
Pregnancy (C), breastfeeding, hypertension, depression, seizures

 

Black Box Warning:

Substance abuse

DOSAGE AND ROUTES
Calculator
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) initial treatment, not currently on methylphenidate
Regular release: Ritalin, methylin, methylin oral sol, methylin chew tabs

• Adult:
PO
20-30 mg/day, range 10-60 mg/day in 2-3 divided doses, 30-45 min before meals

• Child ≥6 yr:
PO
5 mg bid initially, increase 5-10 mg/day weekly, usual dose 0.3-2 mg/kg/day, max 60 mg/day

Extended release: Ritalin SR, metadate ER, methylin ER

• Adult/adolescent/child ≥6 yr:
PO
max 20-30 mg tid

Extended-release once-daily tabs: Concerta

• Adult:
PO
18-36 mg/day initially then adjust by 18 mg/wk, max 72 mg/day

• Adolescent:
PO
18 mg/day initially then adjust by 18 mg/wk, max 72 mg/day

• Child ≥6 yr:
PO
18 mg/day initially then adjust by 18 mg/wk, max 54 mg/day

Extended-release once-daily capsules: Ritalin LA

• Adult/adolescent/child ≥6 yr:
PO
20 mg daily in
AM
initially, adjust by 10 mg/wk, max 60 mg/day

Extended-release once-daily capsules: Metadate CD

• Adult/adolescent/child ≥6 yr:
PO
20 mg/day in
AM
, adjust by 20 mg/wk, max 60 mg/day

Transdermal: Daytrana

• Adolescent/child ≥6 yr:
TD
wk 1: 10 mg/day (9-mg patch); wk 2: 15 mg/day (9-mg patch); wk 3: 20 mg/day (9-mg patch); wk 4: 30 mg/day (9-mg patch)

Conversion to once-daily treatment from other forms for ADHD
Extended-release once-daily capsules: Metadate CD

• Adult/adolescent/child ≥6 yr:
PO
give no more than total daily dose of other forms, may adjust by 20 mg/wk, max 60 mg/day

Extended-release once-daily capsules: Ritalin LA

• Adult/adolescent/child ≥6 yr:
PO
give no more than total daily dose of other forms, may adjust by 10 mg/wk, max 60 mg/day

Extended-release once-daily tablets: Concerta

• Adult/adolescent/child ≥6 yr (currently on 10-15 mg/day):
PO
18 mg every
AM
initially, adjust by 18 mg/wk, max 72 mg/day (adult); max 72 mg/day, 2 mg/kg/day (adolescent); 54 mg/day (child) mg/day

• Adult/adolescent/child ≥6 yr (currently receiving 20-30 mg/day):
PO
36 mg every
AM
, adjust by 18 mg/wk, max 72 mg/day (adult); 72 mg/day, 2 mg/kg/day (adolescent); 54 mg/day (child)

• Adult/adolescent/child ≥6 yr (currently receiving 30-45 mg/day):
PO
54 mg every
AM
, adjust by 18 mg/wk, max 72 mg/day (adult); 72 mg/day, 2 mg/kg/day (adolescent); 54 mg/day (child)

• Adult/adolescent/child ≥6 yr (currently receiving 40-60 mg/day):
PO
72 mg every
AM
, 72 mg/day

Extended-release once-daily suspension: Quillivant XR

• Adolescents/child ≥6 yr:
PO
give in
AM
, increase in 10-20 mg increments q week

Narcolepsy
Immediate release: Ritalin, methylin oral sol, methylin chew tabs

• Adult:
PO
20-30 mg/day, range 10-60 mg/day in 2-3 divided doses

• Child ≥6 yr:
PO
5 mg bid, may increase by 5-10 mg/wk, max 60 mg/day

Extended-release tabs: Ritalin SR, metadate ER

• Adult/adolescent/child ≥6 yr:
PO
max 20 mg tid

Poststroke depression; major depression (unlabeled)

• Adult and geriatric:
PO
(immediate rel tabs) 2.5 mg bid, may increase by 2.5-5 mg q2-3days

Available forms:
Tabs 5, 10, 20 mg; ext rel tabs 10, 20, mg; ext rel tabs (Concerta) 18, 27, 36, 54 mg; ext rel caps 10, 20, 30, 40 mg; oral sol 5 mg, 10 mg/ml; chew tabs (Methylin) 2.5, 5, 10 mg; transdermal patch 12.5 cm
2
(10 mg), 18.75 cm
2
(15 mg), 25 cm
2
(20 mg), 37.5 cm
2
(30 mg); ext rel oral susp 300 mg/60 ml, 600 mg/120 ml, 750 mg/150 ml, 900 mg/180 ml

Administer:
PO route

• 
Do not crush, chew ext rel product; caps may be opened, beads sprinkled over spoonful of applesauce; give without regard to meals

• 
Gum, hard candy, frequent sips of water for dry mouth

• 
Give immediate rel dose 30-45 min before meals

• 
Chew tab
with adequate water to prevent choking; contains phenylalanine

• 
Avoid metadate CD on day of surgery

Extended release oral suspension (quillivant XR)

• 
Shake bottle well, use calibrated dosing dispenser provided, give in
AM
without regard to meals, reconstitute as per manufacturer

Transdermal route

• 
Place on clean, dry area of hip; avoid waist; remove 9 hr after application; fold after removal, flush down toilet

• 
If patch falls off, apply new patch to different site; total wear time should be 9 hr

SIDE EFFECTS

CNS:
Hyperactivity, insomnia, restlessness, talkativeness
, dizziness, drowsiness, toxic psychosis, headache, akathisia, dyskinesia, masking or worsening of Tourette’s syndrome,
seizures,
hallucinations,
malignant neuroleptic syndrome,
aggression;
cerebral vasculitis, hemorrhage, stroke (rare)

CV:
Palpitations, tachycardia
, B/P changes, angina,
dysrhythmias

ENDO:
Growth retardation

GI:
Nausea, anorexia, dry mouth, weight loss, abdominal pain

HEMA:
Leukopenia, anemia, thrombocytopenic purpura

INTEG:
Exfoliative dermatitis,
urticaria, rash, erythema multiforme,
hypersensitivity reactions

MISC:
Fever, arthralgia, scalp hair loss

PHARMACOKINETICS

PO:
Onset 1/2-1 hr, duration 4-6 hr, metabolized by liver, excreted by kidneys, half-life 3-4 hr

INTERACTIONS

• 
Hypertensive crisis: MAOIs or within 14 days of MAOIs, vasopressors

Increase:
effects of tricyclics, SSRIs, anticonvulsants, SNRIs, CNS stimulants

Decrease:
effect of antihypertensives

Drug/Herb

Increase:
CNS stimulation—cola nut, guarana, horsetail, yerba maté, yohimbe

Drug/Food

Increase:
stimulation—caffeine

NURSING CONSIDERATIONS
Assess:

• 
ADHD:
attention span, decreased hyperactivity

 

Black Box Warning:

Substance abuse: There is a high potential for abuse, use caution in those with history of substance abuse

• 
VS, B/P; may reverse antihypertensives; check patients with cardiac disease more often for increased B/P

• 
CBC with differential, platelets, LFTs, urinalysis; in diabetes: blood glucose, urine glucose; insulin changes may have to be made because eating will decrease

• 
Height, growth rate q3mo in children; growth rate may be decreased, but normal growth will resume when product is discontinued

• 
Mental status: mood, sensorium, affect, stimulation, insomnia, aggressiveness

 
Withdrawal symptoms:
headache, nausea, vomiting, muscle pain, weakness, usually not associated with drug holidays

• 
Appetite, sleep, speech patterns

• 
Narcolepsy:
identify frequency, length of narcoleptic episodes

Evaluate:

• 
Therapeutic response: decreased hyperactivity (ADHD); increased ability to stay awake (narcolepsy)

Teach patient/family:

• 
To decrease caffeine consumption (coffee, tea, cola, chocolate), may increase irritability, stimulation; not to use guarana, yerba maté, cola nut

• 
To avoid OTC preparations unless approved by prescriber

• 
To taper off product over several weeks because depression, increased sleeping, lethargy will occur

• 
To avoid driving, hazardous activities if dizziness, blurred vision occur

• 
To avoid alcohol

• 
To avoid hazardous activities until stabilized on medication

• 
To get needed rest; patients will feel more tired at end of day

• 
That shell of Concerta tab may appear in stools

• 
To take regular tab at least 6 hr prior to sleep, 10 hr for ext rel, use dosing syringe to measure liquid; do not use household teaspoon

• 
Transdermal:
after tray is opened, use within 2 mo; do not store patches without protective patch, notify prescriber if skin irritation or rash occurs

TREATMENT OF OVERDOSE:

Administer fluids; hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis; antihypertensive for increased B/P; administer short-acting barbiturate before lavage

Canada only   Side effects:
italics
= common;
bold
= life-threatening   
Nurse Alert

Other books

Rex by José Manuel Prieto
Willful Child by Steven Erikson
WAR CRIMES AND ATROCITIES (True Crime) by Anderson, Janice, Williams, Anne, Head, Vivian
Beanball by Gene Fehler
Say You're Mine by Aliyah Burke
Whisper of Magic by Patricia Rice
Forbidden by Armstrong, Kelley