Methylphenidate (Oral Route)

Side Effects

Drug information provided by: Merative, Micromedex®

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

More common

1. Fast heartbeat

Less common

1. Chest pain
2. fever
3. joint pain
4. skin rash or hives

Rare

1. Black, tarry stools
2. blood in the urine or stools
3. blurred vision or other changes in vision
4. crusting, dryness, or flaking of the skin
5. muscle cramps
6. pinpoint red spots on the skin
7. scaling, severe redness, soreness, or swelling of the skin
8. seizures
9. uncontrolled vocal outbursts or tics (uncontrolled and repeated body movements)
10. unusual bleeding or bruising

Incidence not known

1. Agitation
2. arm, back or jaw pain
3. bleeding gums
4. bloody nose
5. chest discomfort, tightness, or heaviness
6. chills
7. clenching, gnashing, or grinding teeth
8. confusion
9. cough
10. dark urine
11. decreased interest in sexual intercourse
12. diarrhea
13. difficulty with speaking
14. difficulty with swallowing
15. discouragement
16. dizziness
17. double vision
18. drowsiness
19. fainting
20. fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeat or pulse
21. feeling like surroundings are not real
22. feeling sad or empty
23. feeling that others are watching you or controlling your behavior
24. feeling that others can hear your thoughts
25. feeling, seeing, or hearing things that are not there
26. headache
27. heavier menstrual periods
28. inability to have or keep an erection
29. inability to move the arms, legs, or facial muscles
30. inability to speak
31. irritability
32. itching skin
33. large, hive-like swelling on the face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or genitals
34. loss in sexual ability, desire, drive, or performance
35. loss of interest or pleasure
36. mood swings
37. muscle pain, stiffness, or spasms
38. nausea
39. nervousness
40. numbness of the hands
41. overactive reflexes
42. painful or difficult urination
43. pale skin
44. paleness or cold feeling in the fingertips and toes
45. poor coordination
46. pounding in the ears
47. puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
48. red, irritated eyes
49. red, swollen, or scaly skin
50. redness, soreness, or itching skin
51. restlessness
52. right upper stomach tenderness
53. seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there
54. severe or sudden headache
55. shivering
56. slow speech
57. slowed growth in children
58. sore throat
59. sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips or in the mouth
60. stuffy or runny nose
61. sudden loss of coordination
62. sudden slurring of speech
63. sweating
64. swollen glands
65. talking or acting with excitement you cannot control
66. tingling or pain in the fingers or toes when exposed to cold temperatures
67. trembling or shaking
68. tremor
69. trouble concentrating
70. trouble sleeping
71. trouble breathing
72. twitching, twisting, or uncontrolled repetitive movements of the tongue, lips, face, arms, or legs
73. unusual behavior
74. unusual tiredness or weakness
75. weight loss
76. yellow skin or eyes

Get emergency help immediately if any of the following symptoms of overdose occur:

Symptoms of overdose

1. Agitation
2. anxiety
3. bigger, dilated, or enlarged pupils of the eyes
4. blurred vision
5. change in consciousness
6. chest pain or discomfort
7. confusion as to time, place, or person
8. dark urine
9. diarrhea
10. dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
11. dry eyes, mouth, nose, or throat
12. false or unusual sense of well-being
13. fast, slow, irregular, pounding, or racing heartbeat or pulse
14. fever
15. headache
16. holding false beliefs that cannot be changed by fact
17. inability to speak
18. increased sensitivity of the eyes to light
19. loss of consciousness
20. muscle pain, cramps, stiffness, or twitching
21. nausea
22. nervousness
23. overactive reflexes
24. pain or discomfort in the arms, jaw, back, or neck
25. pale, clammy skin
26. palpitations
27. pounding in the ears
28. rapid, shallow breathing
29. seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there
30. seizures
31. shivering
32. slurred speech
33. sweating
34. talking or acting with excitement you cannot control
35. temporary blindness
36. thirst
37. trembling or shaking
38. trouble breathing
39. unusual excitement, nervousness, or restlessness
40. unusual tiredness or weakness
41. vomiting
42. weakness in the arm or leg on one side of the body, sudden and severe

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common

1. Loss of appetite
2. stomach pain

Less common

1. Acid or sour stomach
2. anger
3. belching
4. fear
5. heartburn
6. indigestion
7. irritability
8. scalp hair loss
9. stomach discomfort or upset
10. vomiting

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

• Precautions

Portions of this document last updated: April 01, 2024

Copyright: © Merative US L.P. 1973, 2024. All rights reserved. Information is for End User's use only and may not be sold, redistributed or otherwise used for commercial purposes.