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What Is Methylin ER?

Methylin ER is a brand name for methylphenidate, the drug originally sold under the brand name Ritalin. "ER" stands for extended release, a formulation of the drug that releases the drug slowly rather than all at once. Other brand-name drugs containing methylphenidate include Concerta, Metadate CD, Metadate ER, Ritalin LA and Ritalin-SR.

  1. How It Works

    • Methylphenidate stimulates the nervous system, affecting chemicals in the brain that contribute to hyperactivity and impulse control. Methylin is most often prescribed for sufferers of attention deficit disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, though doctors may prescribe it for other reasons.

    How It Is Taken

    • Methylin ER comes in 10 mg and 20 mg tablets and capsules. The usual starting dose is one 10 mg capsule taken in the morning, though dosages of methylphenidate are adjusted according to individual responses to the drug. Do not crush or split tablets or capsules. Drink a full glass of water with each Methylin ER dose.

    Side Effects

    • Common side effects include dry mouth, nervousness, trouble sleeping and nausea (see References for a complete list). Side effects can often be managed and may simply go away after time. Individual reactions are unique, and it is impossible to determine the side effects an individual will experience. Immediately report serious side effects while taking Methylin ER to the prescribing physician.

    Important Health Information

    • According to Drugs.com, an individual should avoid taking methylphenidate if she has "glaucoma; overactive thyroid; severe high blood pressure; angina (chest pain), heart failure, heart rhythm disorder, or recent heart attack; a personal or family history of tics (muscle twitches) or Tourette's syndrome; severe anxiety, tension, or agitation (methylphenidate can make these symptoms worse); or a hereditary condition such as fructose intolerance, glucose-galactose malabsorption, or sucrase-isomaltase insufficiency." The FDA is currently reviewing methylphenidate to determine if there is a connection between the drug and sudden cardiac arrest in healthy children.

    Alternatives

    • ADD and ADHD can be treated with nonstimulant medications. The list of nonstimulant options for treating ADD/ADHD is long. Among the drugs shown to be effective are Atomoxetine, Modafinil, Bupropion SR and XL, SSRIs and Selegiline. Some of these may not be as effective as stimulant medications, and many of them carry side effects of their own. Using behavioral therapy, ADD and ADHD can sometimes be treated without using medications at all. Behavioral therapy involves highly consistent reactions from parents, teachers and other authority to the positive and negative behaviors exhibited by children with ADD/ADHD. Although behavioral therapy might bypass the need for medication, it is a slow process that requires the long-term commitment of many individuals. Behavioral therapy patients must be regularly monitored to test signs of success.

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