What you need to know about the evening ADHD medication (Methylphenidate)

Has your doctor told you or your child that you have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)? If so, you may have been prescribed medication to treat it. You may have been given a special capsule that you take in the evening and works throughout the day. Today we are talking about one such medication, methylphenidate. Let's talk about this medication in a simple and clear way.

Simply put, what kind of medicine is this?

Methylphenidate is a medication used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). It belongs to a class of drugs called stimulants. You might be thinking, "A stimulant is something that makes you feel more alert, so how does it help with hyperactivity?"

It's very simple. Some chemicals (neurotransmitters) in the brain of someone with ADHD work a little differently. This medication works by balancing those chemicals, helping them stay focused and reducing impulsive behavior. This can help them stay organized with schoolwork, office work, and daily tasks.

Things you need to tell your doctor before taking this medicine

Before you start this medicine, it is very important to give your doctor a complete description of your or your child's health condition. This medicine may not be compatible with some medical conditions. If you or anyone in your family has any of the following, be sure to tell them about it.

• Mental health problems: Conditions such as anxiety, panic attacks, depression, suicidal thoughts, and Tourette's syndrome.
• Heart disease: Any type of heart disease, congenital heart defects, high blood pressure, or abnormal heartbeat.
• Circulatory problems: Problems that reduce blood flow to the hands and feet.
• Other medical conditions: If you have previously had a condition such as glaucoma, seizures, liver disease, thyroid disease, or stroke.
• History of addiction: If you have a history of drug or alcohol addiction.
• Allergies: If you have an allergy to this methylphenidate medicine or any other medicine, food, or dye.
• Pregnancy and breastfeeding: If you are pregnant, trying to get pregnant, or breastfeeding.

It is very important for your safety to talk to the doctor without hiding these things.

How should I use the medicine exactly?

To get the most out of this medicine, you need to take it exactly as directed.

• Time: This medicine should be taken in the evening . Get into the habit of taking it at the same time every day. Take it at the exact time your doctor tells you.
• How to take: Swallow the capsule whole with a glass of water. Never chew, crush, or break this capsule.
• If you have trouble swallowing: Some people have trouble swallowing capsules. If so, you can carefully open the capsule and add the small seed-like medicine inside to a teaspoon of applesauce. Then swallow the mixture straight away. But remember, even then, it's not a good idea to chew the seed.
• Before or after food?: You can take this medicine with or without food. But you should get into the habit of taking it the same way every day. For example, if you take it after dinner every day, do it that way.
• Stopping: Do not stop taking the medication until your doctor tells you to.

This medicine is for you only. Never give it to anyone else, even if they have the same symptoms as you.

What to do if you miss a dose of medication?

If you forget to take your medicine in the evening, take it as soon as you remember if you remember that evening. But if you remember the next morning, skip the missed dose altogether. Then take your next dose at the usual time. Never take two doses at once to make up for a missed dose.

Other things that may interact with this medicine

This medicine may interact with other medications, vitamins, or herbs you are taking. So tell your doctor about everything you are taking. Be especially careful about the following.

This list is not complete, so it's best to tell your doctor about everything you take.

Things to be careful about when taking medication

There are several things you should pay attention to when using this medicine.

• Regular medical check-ups: Be sure to go to your doctor's appointments. Tell your doctor whether your symptoms are improving or not.
• Potential for addiction: When this medicine is used for a long time, especially when taken in higher doses than prescribed, the body and mind can become dependent on it. Therefore, take the dose exactly as your doctor tells you.
• Taking a break from medication: Sometimes your doctor will tell you to stop taking your medication for a few days during weekends or holidays. This gives your body some rest. But this should only be done on your doctor's advice.
• Insomnia: This medication may cause some people to have trouble falling asleep at night. That's why it's recommended to take it in the evening (not close to bedtime). If you continue to have trouble sleeping, talk to your doctor.
• Loss of appetite: You may experience loss of appetite when you first start taking the medicine. The best way to deal with this is to eat small meals several times a day, rather than eating a large meal at once. If you are a child, you should have your weight and height checked regularly.
• Changes in your fingers: If you notice any sores, numbness, pain, or skin color changes (turning pale, blue, or red) in your fingers or toes, tell your doctor immediately.
• A prolonged or painful erection lasting more than 4 hours: If a man has a prolonged or painful erection that lasts more than 4 hours, it is a serious condition. Immediate medical attention is needed. Failure to do so could result in permanent damage.
• Surgeries and tests:If you are going to have surgery, an MRI, or a CT scan, tell the medical team in advance that you are taking this medicine. You may need to stop taking the medicine for a few days before the procedure .

What are the possible side effects?

Like any medicine, this one can cause side effects in some people. Some of them are serious, some of them are common.

How to store and dispose of medicine safely?

• Storage: Keep this medicine in a safe place out of reach of children and pets. This is a medicine that can be misused, so protect it from theft. Store at room temperature, away from moisture.
• Disposal: It is important to safely dispose of expired or unwanted medications. These can be dangerous if they fall into the hands of others. Ask your doctor about safe ways to dispose of medications. Sometimes, they recommend mixing the medications with coffee grounds, soil, or cat litter, sealing them in a bag, and throwing them in the trash.