Let's learn about a medication for ADHD? (Serdexmethylphenidate; Dexmethylphenidate)

Do you or your child have difficulty staying focused? Are you easily distracted? Or are you a little mischievous and impulsive? These could be signs of a condition we medically call Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Today, we're going to talk about a medication with a rather long name that is used to treat this condition.

What is this medicine called Serdexmethylphenidate; Dexmethylphenidate?

Simply put, this is a drug that is used to treat ADHD. In our country, this drug can be found under the brand name AZSTARYS . This belongs to the class of drugs called stimulants . Imagine that your brain is like a busy road. There are cars coming and going from everywhere, and it's all the same. This drug works like putting some traffic lights on that road and sending the cars in order. That is, it activates some chemicals in the brain that help focus and control impulsive behavior. Therefore, it helps a lot in keeping attention in one place and reducing impulsiveness .

This is not just for ADHD, but your doctor may prescribe it for other conditions as well. So if you have any questions about this medication, it's best to ask your doctor.

Things you need to tell your doctor before starting this medication

Before starting this medicine for you or your child, it is very important to inform your doctor about your complete health history. 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.

• Heart problems: If you have had a heart attack before, have other heart disease or congenital heart defects , have high blood pressure , or have an irregular heartbeat , you should tell your doctor.
• Circulatory problems: A condition where the fingers and toes become numb when cold, turn pale, turn blue, and then turn red again, such as Raynaud's phenomenon .
• Mental health issues: If you have had a previous mental illness, thoughts of harming yourself , or attempts to do so (either yourself or a family member), tell your doctor.
• Other medical conditions: If you have had a stroke , if you have anorexia, if you have a history of drug or alcohol addiction.
• Other medication use: Be sure to tell your doctor if you have used a type of MAOI (Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors) (e.g. Marplan, Nardil, Parnate) in the past 14 days . Taking these two medications together can be dangerous.
• Allergies: If you have an allergy to this medicine (serdexmethylphenidate, dexmethylphenidate, methylphenidate) or any other medicine, food, or preservative.
• Pregnancy and breastfeeding: If you are pregnant , trying to get pregnant , or breastfeeding .

How should I use the medicine?

This is also very important. To get the most out of the medicine, you need to use it correctly.

1. How to take: This medicine should be taken by mouth with a glass of water. Try to take it at the same time every day. Take it exactly as your doctor tells you.

2. Capsule: Do not break, crush, or chew the capsule. Swallow whole.

3. If you have difficulty swallowing: Some people have difficulty swallowing capsules. In that case, you can carefully open the capsule, mix the medicine powder inside with a teaspoon of applesauce, and swallow it immediately . But remember, do not chew the medicated applesauce.

4. With or without food?: This can be taken with or without food. However, if you experience stomach upset, it is best to take it with some food.

When given to small children

This medicine is also prescribed for children over 6 years of age. However, there are some special precautions to be taken when giving it to children. Your doctor will explain these to you.

What if I take too much medicine?

Don't even think about it, but if you accidentally take more of this medicine than the prescribed dose, immediately call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital, or go to the Emergency Department (ETU) of the nearest hospital.

What do you do if you miss a dose of medicine?

If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember. But if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the scheduled time. Never take two doses at once.

Other things that may interact with this medicine

It is important to tell your doctor about all the medications you are taking (including vitamins and herbal products), as some medications may interact with this one.

There are certain medications that are especially not recommended to be taken with this medicine:

• MAOIs (like Marplan, Nardil, Parnate)
• Ozanimod

Also, there are several other medications that can cause problems :

• Some medications for blood pressure and heart disease
• Medications for conditions like depression and anxiety
• Some painkillers (Opioids)
• Medicines like Linezolid, Methylene blue, Risperidone, St. John's wort

This list is not complete. So tell your doctor about everything you take. Also, tell him if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use other drugs.

Things to be careful about when taking medicine

Your doctor will check you regularly while you are taking this medicine, so don't forget to go to the clinic on your scheduled dates.

• Risk of addiction: When this medicine is used for a long time, especially in high doses, the body and brain can become dependent on it. Therefore, never take more than the dose your doctor tells you to.
• Taking a break from medication: Sometimes your doctor will tell you to take a break from this medication on weekends and holidays. This can reduce the risk of dependence. But you should do this only on your doctor's advice.
• Effects on sleep: This medication may make it difficult to fall asleep if taken at night. Therefore, take it at the time your doctor tells you to.
• 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 this persists, tell your doctor. Children's height and weight should be checked regularly.
• Surgery: If you are going to have surgery, an MRI, or a CT scan, tell the medical team that you are taking this medicine. You may need to stop taking the medicine before the procedure .

Let's learn about the side effects.

Like all medications, this one can have side effects. But not everyone gets them. Some are serious, some are common. Let's break them down.

How to protect medicine?

• Keep this medicine out of reach of children: Keep this medicine locked up in a safe place out of reach of children and pets . Protect it from theft as this is a medicine that can be misused.
• Storage: Store at room temperature (20-25 degrees Celsius). Protect from light and moisture. Keep the bottle tightly closed.
• Expired medicine: Do not use it for any reason after the expiration date.
• Disposal: It is important to safely dispose of leftover or expired medications. These can be dangerous if they fall into the wrong hands. Ask your doctor for advice on the correct way to dispose of your medications. Some programs accept unused medications. If not, remove the medication from the container, mix it with something like used coffee grounds or soil, seal it tightly in a bag or container, and put it in the trash.

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