Ritalin LA (Methylphenidate Hydrochloride) for Multiple Sclerosis

Overview
Ritalin LA is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children ages 6 to 12 years. It is sometimes prescribed off-label to help manage fatigue, a common symptom in people with multiple sclerosis (MS). Ritalin LA is also known by its drug name, methylphenidate hydrochloride.

Methylphenidate hydrochloride works by increasing the levels of certain chemicals in the brain, such as dopamine and norepinephrine. These chemicals are thought to help improve focus and energy levels, which may alleviate fatigue in patients with MS.

How do I take it?
Prescribing information states that Ritalin LA should be taken orally once daily in the morning. The extended-release capsules can be swallowed whole or opened, with the entire contents sprinkled on applesauce. The capsules should not be crushed, chewed, or divided. Ritalin LA should be taken exactly as prescribed by a health care provider.

Side effects
Common side effects of Ritalin LA include headache, insomnia (difficulty sleeping), upper abdominal pain, decreased appetite, and anorexia (loss of appetite).

Rare but serious side effects may include increased blood pressure and heart rate, psychiatric adverse reactions such as new psychotic or manic symptoms, priapism (prolonged and painful erections), peripheral vasculopathy (blood vessel disorders), suppression of growth in children, acute angle closure glaucoma (a serious eye condition), and the emergence or worsening of motor and verbal tics or Tourette syndrome. Individuals with serious cardiac (heart) disease, should avoid using Ritalin LA due to an increased risk of serious heart-related side effects. 

For more information about this treatment, visit:

Label: Ritalin LA — Methylphenidate Hydrochloride Capsule, Extended Release — DailyMed

Ritalin LA — Drugs.com