Methylphenidate Side Effects

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Apr 30, 2024.

Applies to methylphenidate: oral capsule extended release, oral capsule extended release biphasic 30/70, oral capsule extended release biphasic 40/60, oral capsule extended release biphasic 50/50, oral powder for suspension extended release, oral solution, oral tablet, oral tablet chewable, oral tablet extended release, oral tablet extended release chewable, oral tablet extended release disintegrating.

Other dosage forms:

• transdermal patch extended release

Important warnings This medicine can cause some serious health issues

Oral route (tablet, extended release, disintegrating)

Warning: Abuse, Misuse, and Addiction. Methylphenidate have a high potential for abuse and misuse, which can lead to the development of a substance use disorder, including addiction.

Misuse and abuse of CNS stimulants, including methylphenidate, can result in overdose and death, and this risk is increased with higher doses or unapproved methods of administration, such as snorting or injection.

Before prescribing methylphenidate, assess each patient’s risk for abuse, misuse, and addiction.

Educate patients and their families about these risks, proper storage of the drug, and proper disposal of any unused drug.

Throughout methylphenidate treatment, reassess each patient’s risk of abuse, misuse, and addiction and frequently monitor for signs and symptoms of abuse, misuse, and addiction

Oral route (tablet, extended release chewable; capsule, extended release; tablet; tablet, extended release; solution; powder for suspension, extended release)

Abuse, Misuse, and Addiction. Methylphenidate hydrochloride has a high potential for abuse and misuse, which can lead to the development of a substance use disorder, including addiction.

Misuse and abuse of CNS stimulants, including methylphenidate hydrochloride, can result in overdose and death, and this risk is increased with higher doses or unapproved methods of administration, such as snorting or injection.Before prescribing methylphenidate hydrochloride, assess each patient’s risk for abuse, misuse, and addiction.

Educate patients and their families about these risks, proper storage of the drug, and proper disposal of any unused drug.

Throughout methylphenidate hydrochloride treatment, reassess each patient’s risk of abuse, misuse, and addiction and frequently monitor for signs and symptoms of abuse, misuse, and addiction.

Serious side effects of methylphenidate

Along with its needed effects, methylphenidate 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 while taking methylphenidate:

More common

• fast heartbeat

Less common

• chest pain
• fever
• joint pain
• skin rash or hives

Rare

• black, tarry stools
• blood in the urine or stools
• blurred vision or other changes in vision
• crusting, dryness, or flaking of the skin
• muscle cramps
• pinpoint red spots on the skin
• scaling, severe redness, soreness, or swelling of the skin
• seizures
• uncontrolled vocal outbursts or tics (uncontrolled and repeated body movements)
• unusual bleeding or bruising

Incidence not known

• agitation
• arm, back or jaw pain
• bleeding gums
• bloody nose
• chest discomfort, tightness, or heaviness
• chills
• clenching, gnashing, or grinding teeth
• confusion
• cough
• dark urine
• decreased interest in sexual intercourse
• diarrhea
• difficulty with speaking
• difficulty with swallowing
• discouragement
• dizziness
• double vision
• drowsiness
• fainting
• fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeat or pulse
• feeling like surroundings are not real
• feeling sad or empty
• feeling that others are watching you or controlling your behavior
• feeling that others can hear your thoughts
• feeling, seeing, or hearing things that are not there
• headache
• heavier menstrual periods
• inability to have or keep an erection
• inability to move the arms, legs, or facial muscles
• inability to speak
• irritability
• itching skin
• large, hive-like swelling on the face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or genitals
• loss in sexual ability, desire, drive, or performance
• loss of interest or pleasure
• mood swings
• muscle pain, stiffness, or spasms
• nausea
• nervousness
• numbness of the hands
• overactive reflexes
• painful or difficult urination
• pale skin
• paleness or cold feeling in the fingertips and toes
• poor coordination
• pounding in the ears
• puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
• red, irritated eyes
• red, swollen, or scaly skin
• redness, soreness, or itching skin
• restlessness
• right upper stomach tenderness
• seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there
• severe or sudden headache
• shivering
• slow speech
• slowed growth in children
• sore throat
• sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips or in the mouth
• stuffy or runny nose
• sudden loss of coordination
• sudden slurring of speech
• sweating
• swollen glands
• talking or acting with excitement you cannot control
• tingling or pain in the fingers or toes when exposed to cold temperatures
• trembling or shaking
• tremor
• trouble concentrating
• trouble sleeping
• trouble breathing
• twitching, twisting, or uncontrolled repetitive movements of the tongue, lips, face, arms, or legs
• unusual behavior
• unusual tiredness or weakness
• weight loss
• yellow skin or eyes

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

Symptoms of overdose

• agitation
• anxiety
• bigger, dilated, or enlarged pupils of the eyes
• blurred vision
• change in consciousness
• chest pain or discomfort
• confusion as to time, place, or person
• dark urine
• diarrhea
• dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
• dry eyes, mouth, nose, or throat
• false or unusual sense of well-being
• fast, slow, irregular, pounding, or racing heartbeat or pulse
• fever
• headache
• holding false beliefs that cannot be changed by fact
• inability to speak
• increased sensitivity of the eyes to light
• loss of consciousness
• muscle pain, cramps, stiffness, or twitching
• nausea
• nervousness
• overactive reflexes
• pain or discomfort in the arms, jaw, back, or neck
• pale, clammy skin
• palpitations
• pounding in the ears
• rapid, shallow breathing
• seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there
• seizures
• shivering
• slurred speech
• sweating
• talking or acting with excitement you cannot control
• temporary blindness
• thirst
• trembling or shaking
• trouble breathing
• unusual excitement, nervousness, or restlessness
• unusual tiredness or weakness
• vomiting
• weakness in the arm or leg on one side of the body, sudden and severe

Other side effects of methylphenidate

Some side effects of methylphenidate 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

• loss of appetite
• stomach pain

Less common

• acid or sour stomach
• anger
• belching
• fear
• heartburn
• indigestion
• irritability
• scalp hair loss
• stomach discomfort or upset
• vomiting

For healthcare professionals

Applies to methylphenidate: oral capsule extended release, oral powder for reconstitution extended release, oral solution, oral tablet, oral tablet chewable, oral tablet chewable extended release, oral tablet disintegrating extended release, oral tablet extended release, transdermal film extended release.

General

The more commonly reported adverse reactions have included decreased appetite, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, dyspepsia, insomnia, weight loss, anxiety, dizziness, irritability, affect lability, tachycardia, and increased blood pressure.^[Ref]

Other

• Common (1% to 10%): Lethargy, ear infection, pyrexia, fatigue, ear and labyrinth disorders, asthenia, injury/poisoning/procedural complications
• Postmarketing reports: Hyperpyrexia^[Ref]

Psychiatric

• Very common (10% or more): Psychiatric disorders (27.9%), insomnia (13.3%), irritability (11%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Anxiety, restlessness, sleep disorder, agitation, affect lability, aggression, depression, depressed mood, abnormal behavior, bruxism, confusional state, initial insomnia, decreased libido, nervousness, emotional poverty, tension, panic attack
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Psychotic disorders, hallucinations (auditory, visual, tactile), anger, suicidal ideation, altered mood, mood swings, tearfulness, tics, worsening of pre-existing tics or Tourette's syndrome, hypervigilance
• Rare (less than 0.1%): Mania, disorientation, libido disorder
• Very rare (less than 0.01%): Suicidal attempt/completed suicide, transient depressed mood, abnormal thinking, apathy, repetitive behaviors, over-focusing
• Frequency not reported: Delusions, thought disturbances, confessional state, logorrhea^[Ref]

Metabolic

• Very common (10% or more): Decreased appetite (27.1%), metabolism and nutrition disorders (11.5%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Anorexia, decreased weight, thirst^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

• Very common (10% or more): Gastrointestinal disorders (23.5%), dry mouth (21.5%), nausea (12.2%), vomiting (10.2%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Abdominal pain (upper and general), diarrhea, dyspepsia, toothache, stomach discomfort
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Constipation^[Ref]

Nervous system

• Very common (10% or more): Nervous system disorders (23.5%), headache (23.2%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Dizziness, dyskinesia, tremor, drowsiness, feeling jittery, psychomotor hyperactivity, somnolence, vertigo, paresthesia, motion sickness, tension headache
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Sedation, tremor
• Very rare (less than 0.01%): Convulsions, choreoathetoid movements, reversible ischemic neurological deficit, cerebrovascular disorders (vasculitis, cerebral hemorrhages, cerebrovascular accidents, cerebral arteritis, cerebral occlusion), neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS)
• Frequency not reported: Grand mal convulsions, migraine, sedation, serotonin syndrome (in combination with serotonergic drugs)^[Ref]

Endocrine

• Common (1% to 10%): Reproductive system and breast disorders
• Rare (less than 0.1%): Gynecomastia

Respiratory

• Very common (10% or more): Nasopharyngitis (19.1%), respiratory/thoracic/mediastinal disorders (10.6%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Upper respiratory tract infection, cough, oropharyngeal/pharyngolaryngeal pain, sinusitis, dyspnea^[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

• Very common (10% or more): Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders (14.4%),
• Common (1% to 10%): Joint sprain, arthralgia
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Myalgia, muscle twitching, muscle tightness, muscle spasms
• Very rare (less than 0.01%): Muscle cramps
• Frequency not reported: Rhabdomyolysis, growth suppression, arthralgia^[Ref]

Among patients 7 to 10 years old, consistently medicated (i.e., receiving methylphenidate for 7 days per week) for over 14 months, as well as in naturalistic subgroups of newly methylphenidate-treated patients over 36 months (ages of 10 to 13 years), a temporary slowing in growth rate (on average, a total of about 2 cm less growth in height and 2.7 kg less growth in weight over 3 years), has been observed compared to non-medicated patients. This slowing in growth rate has been observed without evidence of growth rebound.^[Ref]

Local

• Very common (10% or more): Administration site and general disorders (12.9%)
• Postmarketing reports: Patch application site reactions^[Ref]

Cardiovascular

• Common (1% to 10%): Palpitations, tachycardia, cardiac disorders, vascular disorders, arrhythmias, hypertension, hot flush, changes in blood pressure and heart rate (usually an increase)
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Cardiac murmur
• Rare (less than 0.1%): Angina pectoris
• Very rare (less than 0.01%): Cardiac arrest, myocardial infarction, peripheral coldness, Raynaud's phenomenon, sudden cardiac death
• Frequency not reported: Supraventricular tachycardia, bradycardia, ventricular extrasystoles, extrasystoles
• Postmarketing reports: Angina pectoris, bradycardia extrasystole, supraventricular tachycardia, ventricular extrasystole, chest pain, chest discomfort^[Ref]

Dermatologic

• Common (1% to 10%): Rash, pruritus, urticaria, fever, scalp hair loss/alopecia, dermatitis, excoriation hyperhidrosis, skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Angioneurotic edema, bullous conditions, exfoliative conditions
• Rare (less than 0.1%): Macular rash, erythema
• Very rare (less than 0.01%): Thrombocytopenic purpura, exfoliative dermatitis, erythema multiforme, fixed drug eruption^[Ref]

Immunologic

• Very common (10% or more): Infections and infestations (45.2%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Immune systems disorders, influenza^[Ref]

Ocular

• Common (1% to 10%): Eye disorders, eye pain
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Diplopia, blurred vision
• Rare (less than 0.1%): Visual accommodation difficulties, mydriasis, visual disturbance
• Frequency not reported: Dry eye
• Postmarketing reports: Visual impairment, mydriasis, diplopia^[Ref]

Genitourinary

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Hematuria, pollakiuria
• Frequency not reported: Increased erection, prolonged erection, priapism^[Ref]

Hepatic

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Hepatic enzyme elevations
• Very rare (less than 0.01%): Abnormal liver function, hepatic coma, increased blood alkaline phosphatase, increased blood bilirubin
• Postmarketing reports: Hepatocellular injury, acute hepatic failure^[Ref]

Hypersensitivity

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Hypersensitivity reactions (angioedema, anaphylaxis, auricular swelling, exanthemas)^[Ref]

Hematologic

• Very rare (less than 0.01%): Leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, anemia, decreased platelet count, abnormal white blood count
• Postmarketing reports: Pancytopenia, thrombocytopenia, thrombocytopenia purpura^[Ref]

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Further information

Methylphenidate side effects can vary depending on the individual. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Some side effects may not be reported. You may report them to the FDA.

Medical Disclaimer