21 Facts About Methylphenidate

Methylphenidate, sold under the brand names Ritalin and Concerta among others, is a central nervous system stimulant medication used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and, to a lesser extent, narcolepsy.

Methylphenidate is believed to work by blocking the reuptake of dopamine and norepinephrine by neurons.

Methylphenidate was first synthesized in 1944 and was approved for medical use in the United States in 1955.

Methylphenidate is most commonly used to treat ADHD and narcolepsy.

Methylphenidate is used for the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

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Methylphenidate is not approved for children under six years of age.

Methylphenidate is not included in the World Health Organization Essential Medicines List, as findings by the World Health Organization indicate that evidence of benefit versus harm to be unclear in the treatment of ADHD.

Methylphenidate is considered effective in increasing wakefulness, vigilance, and performance.

Methylphenidate improves measures of somnolence on standardized tests, such as the Multiple Sleep Latency Test, but performance does not improve to levels comparable to healthy people.

Methylphenidate is a stimulant with an addiction liability and dependence liability similar to amphetamine.

Methylphenidate is a psychostimulant and increases the activity of the central nervous system through inhibition on reuptake of the neurotransmitters norepinephrine and dopamine.

Methylphenidate is most active at modulating levels of dopamine and to a lesser extent norepinephrine (NE).

Methylphenidate has both dopamine transporter and norepinephrine transporter binding affinity, with the dextromethylphenidate enantiomers displaying a prominent affinity for the norepinephrine transporter.

Methylphenidate is metabolized into ritalinic acid by CES1A1, enzymes in the liver.

Methylphenidate named the drug after his wife Margarita, nicknamed Rita, who used Ritalin to compensate for low blood pressure.

Methylphenidate was first used to allay barbiturate-induced coma, narcolepsy and depression.

Methylphenidate is produced in the United States, Switzerland, Canada, Mexico, Spain, Sweden, Pakistan, and India.

Methylphenidate was originally available as an immediate-release racemic mixture formulation under the Novartis brand name Ritalin, although a variety of generics are available, some under other brand names.

Methylphenidate has been the subject of controversy in relation to its use in the treatment of ADHD.

Methylphenidate has been studied in the treatment of Parkinson's disease.

Methylphenidate has shown some benefits as a replacement therapy for individuals who are addicted to and dependent upon methamphetamine.