Patient leaflet - Methylphenidate Hydrochloride 20 mg tablets
1. What Methylphenidate Hydrochloride is and what it is used for
What it is used for
How it works
The medicine is given as part of a treatment programme, which usually includes:
It is prescribed only by doctors who have experience in children or young people’s behaviour problems. Although there is no cure for ADHD, it can be managed using treatment programmes.
About ADHD
It is not their fault that they cannot do these things.
Many children and young people struggle to do these things. However, with ADHD they can cause problems with everyday life. Children and young
ADHD does not affect the intelligence of a child or young person.
2. What you need to know before you take Methylphenidate Hydrochloride
Do not take Methylphenidate Hydrochloride if:
were born with a heart problem
o severe depression, where you feel very sad, worthless and hopeless
Checks that your doctor will make before you start taking Methylphenidate Hydrochloride family have a history of suicide, bipolar disorder or depression.
It is important that you provide as much information as you can. This will help your doctor decide if methylphenidate is the correct medicine for you.
Other medicines and Methylphenidate Hydrochloride
a prescription.
MAOI with methylphenidate may cause a sudden increase in your blood pressure.
buy any of these products
. Having an operation
is used. This is because there is a chance of a sudden rise in blood pressure during the operation.
Drug testing
This medicine may give a positive result when testing for drug use. This includes testing used in sport.
Methylphenidate Hydrochloride with food, drink and alcohol
cines contain alcohol.
Driving and using machines
o the medicine has been prescribed to treat a medical problem and
provided with the medicine and
o it was not affecting your ability to drive safely.
Information for children and young people
This info is to help you learn the main things about your medicine called Methylphenidate Hydrochloride.
It may help if you read small bits at a time.
Why have I been given this medicine?
This medicine can help children and young people with ‘ADHD’.
While you are taking this medicine
happen in a school holiday.
Some people cannot have this medicine
You cannot have this medicine if:
Warnings and precautions :
Hydrochloride if you:
worse. Your doctor will want to monitor how the medicine affects you.
y time. It is important to contact your doctor straight away if your erection lasts for longer than 2 hours, particularly if this is painful. If you or your child develop blurred vision or other visual disturbances contact your doctor. Your doctor may consider discontinuation of Methylphenidate Hydrochloride
If you or your child develop blurred vision or other visual disturbances contact your doctor. Your doctor may consider discontinuation of Methylphenidate Hydrochloride.
fertility'
During treatment, boys and adolescents may unexpectedly experience prolonged erections. This may be painful and can occur at an or your daughter:
Pregnancy, breast-feeding and contraception
If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor for advice before taking this medicine.
is sexually active.
is pregnant or think might be pregnant. Your doctor will decide whether methylphenidate should be taken. breast-feeding or planning to breast-feed. It is possible that methylphenidate is passed into human breast milk. Therefore, your doctor will decide whether you should breast-feed while taking methylphenidate.
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3. How to take Methylphenidate Hydrochloride
How much to take
If you do not feel better after 1 month of treatment
If you do not feel better, tell your doctor. They may decide you need a different treatment.
Not using Methylphenidate Hydrochloride properly
If Methylphenidate Hydrochloride is not used properly, this may cause abnormal behaviour. It may also mean that you start to depend on the medicine. Tell your doctor if you have ever abused or been dependent on alcohol, prescription medicines or street drugs. This medicine is only for you. Do not give this medicine to anyone else, even if their symptoms seem similar.
If you take more Methylphenidate Hydrochloride than you should
If you forget to take Methylphenidate Hydrochloride
If you stop taking Methylphenidate Hydrochloride
Methylphenidate Hydrochloride.
Things your doctor will do when you are on treatment
Your doctor will do some tests
Methylphenidate Hydrochloride.
Long-term treatment
should stop treatment for a short time, this may happen during a school holiday. This will show if the medicine is still needed.
4. Possible side effects
Some side effects could be serious. If you have any of the side effects below, see a doctor straight away:
Common (affects less than 1 in 10 people)
Uncommon (affects less than 1 in 100 people)
Rare (affects less than 1 in 1,000 people)
Very rare (affects less than 1 in 10,000 people)
supply to the brain
bleed and bruise more easily
Other side effects (how often they happen is not known)
If you have any of the side effects above, see a doctor straight away.
Other side effects include the following. If they get serious, please tell your doctor or pharmacist:
Very common (affects more than 1 in 10 people)
Common (affects less than 1 in 10 people)
Uncommon (affects less than 1 in 100 people)
Rare (affects less than 1 in 1,000 people)
Very rare (affects less than 1 in 10,000 people)
Effects on growth
When used for more than a year, methylphenidate may cause reduced growth in some children. This affects less than 1 in 10 children.
Reporting of side effects
5. How to store Methylphenidate Hydrochloride
Do not use Methylphenidate Hydrochloride after the expiry date which is stated on the label. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month. Do not store above 25° C.
These measures will help to protect the environment.
6. Contents of the pack and other information
What Methylphenidate Hydrochloride contains
The active substance is methylphenidate hydrochloride.
The other ingredients are:
What Methylphenidate Hydrochloride looks like and contents of the pack
Methylphenidate Hydrochloride is available in three strengths: 5 mg, 10 mg and 20 mg. Tablets are white, flat and round.
Marketing Authorisation Holder and Manufacturer
This leaflet was last revised in September 2025
Some people need to talk to their doctor before they start having this medicine
How do I take my medicine (tablets)?
Possible side effects
food.
sleepy, it is important not to do outdoor sports climbing trees. You could hurt yourself and others.
If you feel unwell in any way while you are taking your medicine please tell an adult you trust straight away.
Other things to remember
do not let anyone else have it. It may help you, but it could hurt someone else. don’t
right away.
Who should I ask if there is anything I don’t understand?
Your mum, dad, carer, doctor, nurse or pharmacist will be able to help you.
Other side effects (how often they happen is not known)
stuttering
nosebleed.
increased pressure in the eye
eye diseases which may cause decreased vision due to damage to the eye nerve (glaucoma). obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) (including irresistible urge to pull out body hair, skin picking, having repeated unwanted thoughts, feelings, images or urges in your mind (obsessive thoughts), performing behaviours or mental rituals (compulsions)) dry eye.