What are the possible side effects of methylphenidate and dexmethylphenidate?
Common: • Upset stomach, loss of appetite and insomnia are the most common side effects associated with the use of methylphenidate or dexmethylphenidate. Upset stomach can be managed by taking the medicine on a full stomach or lowering the dose. • Loss of appetite and weight loss can be improved by serving the child small frequent meals or his or her favorite foods when stimulant effects are low (for example, in the morning before medication, or at night when the medication effects are less) • Insomnia can be improved by giving the medication as early in the day as possible. Some clinicians will prescribe sedating medications like clonidine, guanfacine, or trazodone at night. Melatonin has also been found effective to manage insomnia associated with ADHD medication use in children. • Mild anxiety or restlessness can be managed with dosage reduction or changing medication. • Rebound effects or symptoms of ADHD that come back late in the day when medication effects wear off can be manage
