Adults and children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD; more trouble focusing, controlling behaviors, and remaining still or quiet than other individuals their age) are given methylphenidate as part of a therapy regimen. Narcolepsy is also treated with methylphenidate (Methylin) (a sleep disorder that causes excessive daytime sleepiness and sudden attacks of sleep). Methylphenidate belongs to the class of drugs known as central nervous system stimulants. It works by altering the levels of natural chemicals in the brain.

Methylphenidate is available in the form of an immediate-release tablet, a chewable tablet, a solution (liquid), a long-acting (extended-release) suspension (liquid), an intermediate-acting (extended-release) tablet, a long-acting (extended-release) capsule, a long-acting (extended-release) tablet, a long-acting (extended-release) chewable tablet, and a long-acting (ex (tablet that dissolves quickly in the mouth). Long-acting pills, orally disintegrating tablets, and capsules deliver some medication straight away and then release the rest over time as a continuous dose of medication.
Methylphenidate is taken orally in all of its forms. Adults and children should take the ordinary tablets, chewable tablets (Methylin), and solution (Methylin) two to three times a day, ideally 35 to 40 minutes before meals. Adults taking three doses should take the last dose before 6:00 p.m. to ensure that the drug does not interfere with falling or staying asleep. The intermediate-acting tablets are normally given once or twice a day, 30 to 45 minutes before a meal in the morning and sometimes in the early afternoon.

Long-acting capsules (Metadate CD) are usually taken once a day in the morning with or without food; long-acting tablets (Concerta), long-acting chewable tablets (Quillichew ER), long-acting suspension (Quillivant XR), and long-acting capsules (Aptensio XR, Ritalin LA) are usually taken once a day in the morning with or without food. If you take the long-acting suspension (Quillivant XR) with food, it will start working sooner. The long-acting orally disintegrating tablet (Cotempla XR-ODT) and long-acting capsule (Adhansia XR) are normally used once daily in the morning and should be taken consistently, with or without meals.

The long-acting capsule (Jornay PM) is normally taken once a day in the evening (between 6:30 and 9:30 pm), and it should be taken consistently, at the same time every evening, with or without meals.
Follow these procedures to measure the dose if you’re taking the long-acting suspension (Quillivant XR):
Remove the drug bottle and the dose dispenser from the packaging. Make sure the bottle contains only liquid medication. If the bottle includes powder or there is no dosing dispenser in the packaging, contact your pharmacist immediately.
Shake the bottle vigorously for at least 10 seconds to evenly distribute the medication.
Remove the cap from the bottle. Make sure the bottle adapter is put into the bottle’s top.
If the bottle adapter hasn’t been fitted yet, do so by inserting the bottom of the adapter into the opening of the bottle and pressing down firmly with your thumb. If the box does not include a bottle adaptor, contact your pharmacist. Once the bottle adapter has been inserted, do not remove it.
Push the plunger all the way down after inserting the tip of the dosing dispenser into the bottle adapter.
Turn the bottle on its side.
Pull the plunger back to get the amount of oral suspension your doctor prescribed. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you’re not sure how to properly measure the dose your doctor prescribed.
Remove the dosing dispenser from the oral suspension and slowly spray it into your or your child’s mouth.
Close the bottle carefully after replacing the cap.
After each usage, wash the dosage dispenser in the dishwasher or rinse it under running water.