MedeliX
Start asking

Methylphenidate

Concerta, Conmethyl, Medikinet, Methylphenidat Stada · ATC code N06BA04

Also known as: Methylphenidat, Metilfenidat · Brand names: Concerta, Conmethyl, Medikinet, Methylphenidat Stada, Ritalin, Vocuz, 5, 50, Equasym Retard, Kinecteen, Methylphenaxiro, Methylpheni Tad, Methylphenidathydrochlorid, Methysym, Metiphenal …

Key facts
Active substance
Methylphenidate
ATC code
N06BA04
Authorisation
authorised nationally; no central EU authorisation
Information as of
2026-10-27

Boxed warning

Methylphenidate hydrochloride tablets 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 hydrochloride tablets, can result in overdose and death [see Overdosage (10)], and this risk is increased with higher doses or unapproved methods of administration, such as snorting or injection.

Before prescribing methylphenidate hydrochloride tablets, 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 tablets treatment, reassess each patient’s risk of abuse, misuse, and addiction and frequently monitor for signs and symptoms of abuse, misuse, and addiction [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) and Drug Abuse and Dependence (9.2)].

Key facts

Methylphenidate is a CNS stimulant indicated, per the US prescribing information, for ADHD in pediatric patients 6 years and older and adults, and for narcolepsy.

What it is used for

  • Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in pediatric patients 6 years and older and adults
  • Narcolepsy

Dosing

  • Before starting: assess for cardiac disease and for tics or Tourette's syndrome in personal and family history
  • Pediatric patients 6 years and older: start 5 mg twice daily (before breakfast and lunch), increase by 5 to 10 mg weekly; above 60 mg daily not recommended
  • Adults: average 20 to 30 mg daily in divided doses 2 or 3 times daily, preferably 30 to 45 minutes before meals; maximum 60 mg
  • Patients unable to sleep should take the last dose before 6 p.m.
  • Discontinue if no improvement after dose adjustment over one month

Contraindications

  • Hypersensitivity to methylphenidate or other components
  • Concomitant MAOIs or within 14 days after stopping an MAOI (hypertensive crisis)

Important warnings

  • Boxed warning: high potential for abuse, misuse and addiction; overdose and death possible; assess risk before and during treatment
  • Risks in serious cardiac disease; increased blood pressure and heart rate
  • Psychiatric adverse reactions, priapism, peripheral vasculopathy including Raynaud's phenomenon
  • Long-term growth suppression in children, angle closure glaucoma, tics and worsening of Tourette's syndrome

Side effects

  • Decreased appetite, reduced weight gain, insomnia, anxiety, restlessness, headache, dizziness
  • Less often serious: psychosis, convulsions, hypersensitivity reactions, blood count changes

Interactions

  • MAOIs: hypertensive crisis; contraindicated
  • May decrease the effectiveness of antihypertensive drugs

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

  • Studies have not identified a risk of major birth defects; there may be fetal risks with CNS stimulants
  • Present in human milk; no reports of adverse effects in breastfed infants

Summary of the official product information, written with AI (Claude, Anthropic) on 2026-10-28. Every number was checked automatically against the original text. Not reviewed by a physician – the full official text is authoritative.

Full official text →

Common questions – ask Medelix

For patients

Patient information (US)

Patient information (US) →

Authorisation and brand names by country

Medicines with exactly this active-substance composition, as listed in the national registers – alphabetical and without ranking. Whether a product is currently available is not shown here.

Austria

  • ConcertaJanssen-Cilag Pharma Gmbh · 1 register entry
  • ConmethylG.L. Pharma Gmbh · 1 register entry
  • MedikinetMedice Arzneimittel Pütter Gmbh & Co. Kg · 2 register entries
  • Methylphenidat StadaStada Arzneimittel Gmbh · 1 register entry
  • RitalinInfectopharm Arzneimittel Und Consilium Gmbh, De, Heppenheim · 2 register entries
  • VocuzExeltis Germany Gmbh · 2 register entries

Source: EMA – Article 57 product data (EU/EEA), as of 2026-10-28

Germany

  • 5Medice Arzneimittel Pütter Gmbh & Co. Kg · 1 register entry
  • 50Medice Pharma Gmbh & Co. Kg · 1 register entry
  • ConcertaJanssen-Cilag Gmbh · 1 register entry
  • Equasym RetardTakeda Pharmaceuticals International Ag Ireland Branch · 1 register entry
  • KinecteenMedice Arzneimittel Pütter Gmbh & Co. Kg · 1 register entry
  • MedikinetMedice Arzneimittel Pütter Gmbh & Co. Kg, Medice Pharma Gmbh & Co. Kg · 3 register entries
  • MethylphenaxiroMedical Valley Invest Ab · 1 register entry
  • Methylpheni TadTad Pharma Gmbh · 1 register entry
  • Methylphenidat1 A Pharma Gmbh, Develco Pharma Gmbh, Laboratorios Rubió, S.A., Ratiopharm Gmbh, Humantis Gmbh, Medice Arzneimittel Pütter Gmbh & Co. Kg, Zentiva Pharma Gmbh, Hexal Ag, Abz-Pharma Gmbh, Aliud Pharma Gmbh · 12 register entries
  • Methylphenidathydrochlorid1 A Pharma Gmbh, Neuraxpharm Arzneimittel Gmbh, Hexal Ag, Viatris Germany Gmbh · 4 register entries
  • MethysymAristo Pharma Gmbh (Art 57) · 1 register entry
  • MetiphenalAliud Pharma Gmbh · 1 register entry
Show all 13 brand names
  • RitalinInfectopharm Arzneimittel Und Consilium Gmbh, De, Heppenheim, Pädia Gmbh, De, Heppenheim · 4 register entries

Source: EMA – Article 57 product data (EU/EEA), as of 2026-10-28

Turkey

  • ConcertaJOHNSON AND JOHNSON SIHHİ MAL. SAN. VE TİC. LTD. ŞTİ. · 4 register entries
  • KonsenidatTEVA İLAÇ SAN. VE TİC. A.Ş. · 4 register entries
  • MedikinetASSOS İLAÇ KİMYA GIDA ÜRÜNLERİ ÜRETİM VE TİC. A.Ş. · 32 register entries
  • RitalinNOVARTİS SAĞLIK GIDA VE TARIM ÜRÜNLERİ SAN. VE TİC. A.Ş. · 1 register entry

Source: TİTCK – Ruhsatlı Beşeri Tıbbi Ürünler Listesi, as of 2026-10-16

USA

  • ConcertaJanssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc. · 1 register entry
  • DaytranaNoven Therapeutics, LLC · 1 register entry
  • JORNAY PM Extended-ReleaseIronshore Pharmaceuticals Inc. · 1 register entry
  • Metadate CDAytu BioPharma, Inc. · 1 register entry
  • MethylinSHIONOGI INC. · 1 register entry
  • Quillivant XRNextWave Pharmaceuticals, Inc · 1 register entry
  • RelexxiiVertical Pharmaceuticals, LLC · 1 register entry
  • RitalinSandoz Inc · 1 register entry
  • Ritalin LANovartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation · 1 register entry

Source: U.S. FDA – Drug labels (openFDA/DailyMed), as of 2026-10-28

Brand names in 28 more European countries
Belgium
Atexam, Concerta, Equasym Xr, Medikinet, Methylfenidaat Retard Eg, Methylfenidaat Retard Sandoz, Methylfenidaat Xr Eg, Methylphenidate Retard Viatris, Methylphenidate Viatris, Rilatine
Bulgaria
Концерта
Croatia
Concerta, Mefeda
Cyprus
Concerta
Czechia
Balipre, Concerta, Medate, Methylphenidate Neuraxpharm, Ritalin
Denmark
Concerta, Equasym Depot, Medanef, Medikinet, Methylphenidat Alternova, Methylphenidat Orion, Methylphenidate "hexal", Methylphenidate "sandoz", Methylphenidate Actavis, Methylphenidate Consilient Health, Methylphenidate Medical Valley, Methylphenidate Orifarm, Methylphenidate Stada, Methylphenidate Teva, Methylphenidate Viatris, Methylphenidatehydrochlorid Stada Arzneimittel Ag, Methylphenidathydrochlorid Humantis, Metyrol, Motiron, Ritalin
Estonia
Affenid, Concerta, Medikinet, Metfab, Osmetil
Finland
Atexam, Concerta, Equasym Retard, Medikinet, Methylphenidate Orion, Methylphenidate Sandoz, Methylphenidate Stada, Methylphenidate Viatris
France
Concerta Lp, Lp, Lynquera Lp, Medikinet, Methylphenidate Lp Biogaran, Methylphenidate Lp Eg, Methylphenidate Lp Viatris, Methylphenidate Viatris Sante Lp, Quasym L.P., Ritaline
Greece
Concerta
Hungary
Ritalin
Iceland
Concerta, Equasym Depot, Medikinet, Methylphenidate Medical Valley, Methylphenidate Sandoz, Methylphenidate Stada, Methylphenidate Teva, Metylfenidat Actavis, Ritalin, Tuzulby
Ireland
Concerta Xl, Equasym Xl, Medikinet, Ritalin
Italy
Equasym, Medikinet, Noku, Ritalin
Latvia
Medikinet, Osmetil
Liechtenstein
Concerta, Tuzulby
Lithuania
Concerta, Medikinet, Metfab, Osmetil
Luxembourg
Concerta, Equasym Xr, Medikinet, Methylfenidaat Retard Eg, Methylfenidaat Xr Eg, Rilatine
Malta
Concerta, Rubifen
Netherlands
Concerta, Equasym Xl, Focader, Kinecteen, Medikinet, Methylfenidaat, Methylfenidaathydrochloride Teva, Methylphenidate Xiromed, Ritalin
Norway
Concerta, Delmosart, Equasym Depot, Medanef, Medikinet, Methylphenidate Consilient Health, Methylphenidate Humantis, Methylphenidate Sandoz, Methylphenidate Stada, Methylphenidate Teva, Methylphenidate Viatris, Metylfenidat Medical Valley, Ritalin, Tuzulby
Poland
Adehader, Atenza, Cognimentin La, Concerta, Medikinet, Mindetra, Symkinet Mr
Portugal
Atexam, Concerta, Medicebran, Medikinet, Metilfenidato Ciclum, Metilfenidato Farmoz, Metilfenidato Generis, Metilfenidato Mylan, Metilfenidato Ratiopharm, Metilfenidato Sandoz, Metilfenidato Viatris, Ritalina La, Rubifen
Romania
Clorhidrat De Metilfenidat G.L. Pharma, Concerta
Slovakia
Balipre, Concerta, Metylfenidát Neuraxpharm
Slovenia
Concerta
Spain
Atenza, Concerta, Equasym, Medicebran, Medikinet, Methysym Retard, Metilfenidato Sandoz, Metilfenidato Tecnigen, Rubicrono, Rubifen
Sweden
Affenid, Concerta, Equasym Depot, Medanef, Medikinet, Methylphenidate Alternova, Methylphenidate Consilient Health, Methylphenidate Humantis, Methylphenidate Orifarm, Methylphenidate Orion, Methylphenidate Sandoz, Methylphenidate Stada, Methylphenidate Viatris, Methylphenidate Xiromed, Metylfenidat Actavis, Metylfenidat Amdipharm, Metylfenidat Medical Valley, Metylfenidat Teva, Metynor Hårda, Metynor Med Modifierad Frisättning., Phenichem, Phenilzhar, Ritalin

EMA – Article 57 product data (EU/EEA), 2026-10-28

Medelix receives no money from pharmaceutical companies. Brand names are listed alphabetically and without ranking.

Other substances in the same group

Another question about this substance?

Medelix answers clinical questions from guidelines, studies and product information – every claim with its source.

Sources

  1. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Methylphenidate hydrochloride (Solco Healthcare US,LLC) – Prescribing Information, 2025-09-18. DailyMed (NLM), 2026-10-27. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/lookup.cfm?setid=238ff743-4f25-43a3-87ac-6559d12a9d49
  2. EMA – Article 57 product data (EU/EEA), 2026-10-28. https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/human-regulatory-overview/post-authorisation/data-medicines-iso-idmp-standards-post-authorisation/public-data-article-57-database
  3. EMA – Article 57 product data (EU/EEA), 2026-10-28. https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/human-regulatory-overview/post-authorisation/data-medicines-iso-idmp-standards-post-authorisation/public-data-article-57-database
  4. TİTCK – Ruhsatlı Beşeri Tıbbi Ürünler Listesi, 2026-10-16. https://www.titck.gov.tr/dinamikmodul/85
  5. U.S. FDA – Drug labels (openFDA/DailyMed), 2026-10-28. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/

Editorial: Medelix editorial team · last updated 2026-10-27 · How these pages are made · Report an error

Source: U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), prescribing information, via DailyMed (NLM); public domain. Not advertising, not a treatment recommendation. For questions about your own treatment, ask your doctor or pharmacist.