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Methylphenidate requires careful use due to its potential for serious heart and blood pressure complications if misused or abused. It is important to be aware that this medication can become habit-forming, particularly for individuals with mental health issues or a history of substance use disorders, including drug or alcohol addiction.

• Inform your healthcare provider if you or your family have a history of substance use disorder before starting this medication.
• Adhere strictly to the prescribed dosage and schedule. Avoid increasing the dose, using it more frequently, or altering the method of use, as this can decrease the medication's effectiveness, lead to dependence, or cause unusual thoughts or behaviors.
• Your healthcare provider may conduct monitoring after discontinuation of the medication, especially if it was taken in high doses or over an extended period.

Always follow medical guidance closely to ensure safe usage.

You might experience some mild side effects such as nervousness, difficulty sleeping, reduced appetite, weight loss, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, or headache. These are generally manageable, but if they persist or worsen, it’s important to inform a healthcare professional.

This medication may also lead to an increase in blood pressure, so it’s advisable to monitor it regularly. If you notice high readings, consult a healthcare provider. More serious side effects, though less common, require immediate attention. These include issues with blood flow in fingers or toes, such as coldness, numbness, pain, or color changes, as well as unusual wounds, rapid or irregular heartbeat, changes in mood or behavior, uncontrolled muscle movements, sudden vocal outbursts, or changes in vision.

Seek immediate medical care if you experience severe side effects like fainting, seizures, heart attack symptoms (such as chest pain, shortness of breath, unusual sweating) or stroke symptoms (like weakness on one side of the body, difficulty speaking, sudden vision changes, or confusion).

Rarely, males, including boys and teens, may experience a painful or prolonged erection lasting more than four hours. This requires urgent medical attention to prevent permanent damage.

Though a serious allergic reaction is rare, seek emergency help if you notice symptoms such as rash, swelling, severe dizziness, or trouble breathing. If you observe any side effects not mentioned here, reach out to a healthcare provider for advice.

Using MAO inhibitors alongside this medication can lead to a severe and potentially life-threatening interaction. It is important to avoid combining MAO inhibitors, such as isocarboxazid, linezolid, metaxalone, methylene blue, moclobemide, phenelzine, procarbazine, rasagiline, safinamide, selegiline, and tranylcypromine, while on this treatment. Additionally, most MAO inhibitors should not be used for two weeks prior to starting this medication. Consult your doctor for guidance on when to begin or discontinue use.

Avoid consuming alcohol with this medication, as it can cause the drug to be released too rapidly, heightening the risk of side effects.

Certain brands of this medication may be influenced by changes in stomach acid levels. If you are using antacids or medications like ranitidine or omeprazole to reduce stomach acid, consult your pharmacist to determine if this affects your specific brand.

Methylphenidate and dexmethylphenidate are very similar, so do not take dexmethylphenidate-containing products while using methylphenidate.

This medication may interfere with some medical or laboratory tests, such as brain scans for Parkinson's disease, possibly leading to inaccurate results. Make sure all healthcare providers and lab personnel are aware that you are taking this medication.