Methylphenidate (Concerta) Nursing Considerations
Included In This Lesson
Study Tools For Methylphenidate (Concerta) Nursing Considerations
Outline
Generic Name
methylphenidate
Trade Name
Ritalin, Concerta
Indication
ADHD, narcolepsy
Action
improves attention span in ADHD by producing CNS stimulation
Therapeutic Class
central nervous system stimulant
Pharmacologic Class
none
Nursing Considerations
• can cause sudden death, hypertension, palpitations, anorexia, hyperactivity, insomnia
• may decrease effects of Warfarin and Phenytoin
• do not use with MAOIs
• monitor cardiovascular system
• monitor for behavioral changes
• monitor for dependence
• do not consume caffeinated beverages
“Drug Holiday” used to assess dependence and status
Transcript
Hey guys, let’s talk about methylate, also known as Concerta or Ritalin. This is an oral medication, as you can see here, and it also comes in a patch form. So the therapeutic class of a methylate is a central nervous, some stimulant. And remember, this is how the drug works in the body. The pharmacologic class of methylate is a CNS stimulant. And remember, this is the chemical effect of the drug. So methylate works by improving attention span and ADHD, and it produces CNS stimulation. So we use methylate for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and also for the treatment of narcolepsy. The side effects that we see with methylate are palpitations, anorexia, insomnia and hypertension.
So methyl may cause hyperactivity and even cause sudden death. So when your patient is on methylate, be sure to monitor their cardiovascular system, any behavior changes and also their dependence to the drug. There are some drug interactions with methylate that include deep increasing the effects of warfarin and Feni toin and do not use with Mao eyes. Be sure to teach your patient to not consume caffeinated beverages while on this drug, as these can increase the simulation. So guys, intermittent drug holidays are used with methylate to assess the status of the HD H a D HD, and also to assess the level of dependence in the patient. And also guys with the transdermal or patch form, there have been cases where the skin pigment is lost under and around that patch. So don’t be surprised if you come across cross or see this, that’s it for methylate or Concerta or Ritalin now go out and be your best self today. And as always happy nursing.
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