Rubifen® (Methylphenidate)

Dosage form:

Tablets 10 mg

What is Rubifen (Methylphenidate) used for?

• It is used to treat attention deficit problems with hyperactivity (ADHD).
• It is used to treat narcolepsy.

Important notes before taking Rubifen (Methylphenidate):

• Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to this drug; any part of this drug; or any other drugs, foods, or substances.
• Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any of these health problems: Glaucoma, agitation, anxiety, or overactive thyroid.
• Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you or a family member have any of these health problems: Blood vessel disease, high blood pressure, heart problems, or Tourette’s syndrome or tics.
• Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have ever had a stroke.
• Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have taken certain drugs for depression or Parkinson’s disease in the last 14 days.
• Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any of these drugs: Linezolid or methylene blue.
• Tell your doctor and pharmacist about all of your drugs (prescription or OTC, natural products, vitamins) and health problems. You must check to make sure that it is safe for you to take this drug with all of your drugs and health problems. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any drug without checking with your doctor.

Important notes while taking Rubifen (Methylphenidate):

• Tell all of your health care providers that you take this drug. This includes your doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists.
• Avoid driving and doing other tasks or actions that call for you to be alert until you see how this drug affects you.
• Tell your doctor if you have any heart problem or defect. Get medical help right away if you have any signs of heart problems like chest pain, abnormal heartbeat, or severe dizziness or passing out.
• You may need to have some heart tests before starting this drug.
• Check blood pressure and heart rate as the doctor has told you.
• This drug may raise the chance of seizures in some people, including people who have had seizures in the past. Talk to your doctor to see if you have a greater chance of seizures while taking this drug.
• Avoid drinking alcohol while taking this drug.
• A problem called serotonin syndrome may happen if you take this drug with certain other drugs. Call your doctor right away if you have agitation; change in balance; confusion; hallucinations; fever; fast or abnormal heartbeat; flushing; muscle twitching or stiffness; seizures; shaking; sweating a lot; severe diarrhea, upset stomach, or throwing up; or severe headache.
• This drug may affect growth in children and teens in some cases. They may need regular growth checks.
• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan on getting pregnant, or are breast-feeding.

Rubifen (Methylphenidate) side effects:

Even though it may be rare, some people may have very bad and sometimes deadly side effects when taking a drug. Tell your doctor or get medical help right away if you have any of the following signs or symptoms that may be related to a very bad side effect:

• Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash; hives; itching; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever; wheezing; tightness in the chest or throat; trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking; unusual hoarseness; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat;
• Signs of liver problems like dark urine, tiredness, decreased appetite, upset stomach or stomach pain, light-colored stools, throwing up, or yellow skin or eyes;
• Severe headache, dizziness, or passing out;
• Joint pain;
• Purple patches on the skin or mouth;
• Change in eyesight or eye pain, swelling, or redness;
• Seizures;
• Shakiness;
• Trouble controlling body movements;
• Sweating a lot;
• Restlessness;
• Change in color of hands, feet, or other areas. Skin may turn pale, blue, gray, purple, or red;
• Numbness, pain, tingling, or cold feeling of the hands or feet;
• Any sores or wounds on the fingers or toes;
• Muscle pain or weakness, dark urine, or trouble passing urine;
• Call your doctor right away if you have a painful erection or an erection that lasts for longer than 4 hours;
• Call your doctor right away if you have hallucinations or signs of mood changes like depression, thoughts of suicide, nervousness, and anxiety.

All drugs may cause side effects. However, many people have no side effects or only have minor side effects. Call your doctor or get medical help if any of these side effects or any other side effects bother you or do not go away:

• Dizziness or headache;
• Feeling sleepy;
• Dry mouth;
• Throwing up;
• Weight loss;
• Feeling nervous;
• Decreased appetite;
• Stomach pain or heartburn;
• Nose or throat irritation.

These are not all of the side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, call your doctor. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

What do I do if I miss a dose?

Take a missed dose as soon as you think about it. If it is close to the time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your normal time. Do not take this drug after 6 PM.

Do not take two doses at the same time or extra doses.

How do I store and/or throw out this drug?

• Store at room temperature.
• Protect from light.
• Store in a dry place. Do not store in a bathroom.
• Keep all drugs in a safe place. Keep all drugs out of the reach of children and pets.
• Throw away unused or expired drugs. Do not flush down a toilet or pour down a drain unless you are told to do so. Check with your pharmacist if you have questions about the best way to throw out drugs.