Ritalin

Ritalin-SR, Methylin ER, and Metadate ER Tablets

These tablets keep working for 8 hours. They may be used in place of Ritalin tablets if they deliver a comparable dose over an 8-hour period.

CHILDREN

This drug should not be given to children under 6 years of age.

Ritalin and Methylin Tablets

The usual starting dose is 5 milligrams taken twice a day, before breakfast and lunch; your doctor will increase the dose by 5 to 10 milligrams a week. Your child should not take more than 60 milligrams in a day. If you do not see any improvement over a period of 1 month, check with your doctor. He or she may wish to discontinue the drug.

Ritalin-SR, Methylin ER, and Metadate ER Tablets

These tablets continue working for 8 hours. Your doctor will decide if they should be used in place of the regular tablets.

Ritalin LA Capsules

The recommended starting dose is 20 milligrams once daily in the morning. At weekly intervals, the doctor may increase the dose by 10 milligrams, up to a maximum of 60 milligrams once a day.

Concerta Tablets

The recommended starting dose is 18 milligrams once daily in the morning. At weekly intervals, your doctor may increase the dose in 18-milligram steps, up to a maximum of 54 milligrams each morning.

Metadate CD Capsules

The recommended starting dose is 20 milligrams once daily before breakfast. If necessary, the doctor may increase the dose in 20-milligram steps to a maximum of 60 milligrams once a day.

Your doctor will periodically discontinue the drug in order to reassess your child's condition. Drug treatment should not, and need not, be indefinite and usually can be discontinued after puberty.

Overdosage

If you suspect an overdose, seek medical attention immediately.

• Symptoms of Ritalin overdose may include:
  Agitation, confusion, convulsions (may be followed by coma), delirium, dryness of mucous membranes, enlarging of the pupil of the eye, exaggerated feeling of elation, extremely elevated body temperature, flushing, hallucinations, headache, high blood pressure, irregular or rapid heartbeat, muscle twitching, sweating, tremors, vomiting