Methylphenidate
Methylphenidate
Methylphenidate (pronounced: meth-il-fen-i-date) is a central nervous system (CNS) stimulant of the phenethylamine and piperidine classes. It is used primarily in the treatment of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Narcolepsy.
Etymology
The term "Methylphenidate" is derived from its chemical structure - methyl phenyl(piperidine) acetate. The "methyl" refers to the presence of a methyl group in the chemical structure, "phenyl" refers to the phenyl group, and "piperidine" refers to the piperidine group. The "acetate" refers to the presence of an acetate group in the chemical structure.
Usage
Methylphenidate is used to treat Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Narcolepsy. It works by changing the amounts of certain natural substances in the brain. Methylphenidate belongs to a class of drugs known as stimulants. It can help increase your ability to pay attention, stay focused on an activity, and control behavior problems. It may also help you to organize your tasks and improve listening skills.
Related Terms
- Central Nervous System (CNS)
- Phenethylamine
- Piperidine
- Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
- Narcolepsy
Side Effects
Common side effects of Methylphenidate include nervousness, trouble sleeping, loss of appetite, weight loss, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, or headache. If any of these effects persist or worsen, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.
Precautions
Before taking Methylphenidate, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to dexmethylphenidate; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems.
Interactions
Drug interactions may change how your medications work or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and share it with your doctor and pharmacist.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Methylphenidate
- Wikipedia's article - Methylphenidate
This WikiMD dictionary article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.
Languages: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
Urdu,
বাংলা,
తెలుగు,
தமிழ்,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
русский,
português do Brasil,
Italian,
polski