Drug Interaction Report

MONITOR: Methylphenidate and other derivative amphetamines may decrease the therapeutic effects of antihypertensive drugs or agents with hypotensive properties. According to serdexmethylphenidate label information, CNS stimulants cause a mean increase in blood pressure of approximately 2 to 4 mmHg and a mean increase in heart rate of approximately 3 to 6 beats per minute. With some individuals having larger increases.

MANAGEMENT: Caution and monitoring of blood pressure is recommended if methylphenidate, dexmethylphenidate or serdexmethylphenidate are administered with antihypertensives agents such as: potassium-sparing and thiazide diuretics, calcium channel blockers, angiotensin-converting-enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs), beta blockers or centrally acting alpha-2 receptor agonists. The dosage of the antihypertensive drug should be adjusted as needed.

GENERALLY AVOID: Alcohol may exacerbate the adverse central nervous system effects of psychoactive drugs, including methylphenidate.

GENERALLY AVOID: Consumption of alcohol while taking certain sustained-release formulations of methylphenidate may cause rapid release of the drug, resulting in increased systemic levels of methylphenidate. In vitro studies have been conducted using Metadate CD 60 mg and Ritalin LA 40 mg capsules, as well as Concerta 18 mg tablet. At an alcohol concentration of 40%, an increase in the release rate of methylphenidate was observed in the first hour for Metadate CD and Ritalin LA, resulting in 84% and 98% of the methylphenidate being released, respectively. In contrast, there was no increased release of methylphenidate in the first hour for Concerta. These results are considered to be representative of the other available strengths of the corresponding product.

MANAGEMENT: Patients treated with methylphenidate should be advised to avoid alcohol or medications that contain alcohol.