2. What should I know before I use Ritalin LA?
Do not use if you have ever had an allergic reaction to Ritalin LA or any of the ingredients
listed at the end of the CMI.
Talk to your doctor if you have any other medical conditions, take any other medicines,
or are pregnant or plan to become pregnant or are breastfeeding.
3. What if I am taking other medicines?
Some medicines may interfere with Ritalin LA and affect how it works.
4. How do I use Ritalin LA?
Your doctor will advise you of the appropriate dose.
Take Ritalin LA orally once daily in the morning with or without food.
Take the medicine exactly as prescribed by your doctor.
5. What should I know while using Ritalin LA?
|
Things you should do
|
Remind any doctor, dentist or pharmacist you visit that you are using Ritalin LA.
Tell your doctor immediately if you become pregnant while on Ritalin LA.
Contact your doctor immediately if you have any abnormal thoughts, suicidal thoughts,
over-active/excited or uninhibited actions, aggressive behaviour or seeing things
(hallucinations).
|
|
Things you should not do
|
Do not stop using this medicine suddenly.
Do not change the dose without speaking to your doctor first.
|
|
Driving or using machines
|
Ritalin LA may cause dizziness, drowsiness, blurred vision, or hallucinations (seeing
or hearing things that aren't there) in some people. Be careful before you drive or
use any machines or tools or ride a bike until you know how Ritalin LA affects you.
|
|
Drinking alcohol
|
Alcohol may make the side effects worse.
Check to make sure food and other medicines taken do not contain alcohol.
|
|
Looking after your medicine
|
Store below 30°C.
Keep your tablets out of reach of children.
|
6. Are there any side effects?
Common side effects include blurred vision, drowsiness, fatigue, mood changes, vomiting,
rash, joint pain, depression, anxiety, nervousness, agitation, aggression.
|
WARNING: DRUG DEPENDENCE: Ritalin LA should be given cautiously to patients with a
history of drug dependence or alcoholism. Chronic abusive use can lead to marked
tolerance and psychological dependence with varying degrees of abnormal behaviour.
Frank psychotic episodes can occur, especially with parenteral abuse. Careful supervision
is required during withdrawal from abusive use since severe depression may occur.
Withdrawal following chronic therapeutic use may unmask symptoms of the underlying
disorder that may require follow up.
|
Active ingredient(s):
Methylphenidate hydrochloride.
Full Consumer Medicine Information (CMI)
This leaflet provides important information about using Ritalin LA. You should also speak to your doctor or pharmacist if you would like further information
or if you have any concerns or questions about using Ritalin LA.
Where to find information in this leaflet:
1. Why am I taking Ritalin LA?
Ritalin LA contains the active ingredient
Methylphenidate hydrochloride
. Ritalin LA is a class of medicine that increases the activity of the brain.
Ritalin LA is used to treat Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).
2. What should I know before I take Ritalin LA?
Warnings
Do not use Ritalin LA if:
you are allergic to Methylphenidate hydrochloride, or any of the ingredients listed
at the end of this leaflet.
you have anxiety, tension or agitation
you have Tourette's Syndrome (uncontrolled speech, body movements or tics) or a family
history of Tourette's
you have Glaucoma (increased pressure in the eye)
you have an overactive thyroid or other thyroid problems
you have heart problems - heart attack, irregular heartbeat, chest pain (angina),
heart failure, heart disease or if you were born with a heart problem
you have very high blood pressure (hypertension) or narrowing of the blood vessels
(arterial occlusive disease, which can cause pain in the arms and legs)
you have severe depression, an eating disorder (anorexia) or other mental illness
you have a tumour in the adrenal gland which can cause high blood pressure and headaches.
Do not use Ritalin LA in known drug dependence or alcohol abuse cases.
Ritalin LA should not be taken on the day of surgery with anesthetics due to an increased
risk of blood pressure.
Check with your doctor if you:
have any other medical conditions such as depression, suicidal thoughts or behaviour,
seeing or feeling things that are not there (hallucinations), unusual active or depressed
mood (bipolar illness), aggressive behaviour
have abnormal thoughts or are over-excited, over-active or un-inhibited
have motor or verbal tics, uncontrolled speech or movements, repeated twitching or
make repeated sounds or words, or if a family member has any of these
have had fits/convulsions
experience all of these problems: restlessness, tremor, sudden muscle contractions,
abnormal high temperature, nausea, vomiting
have high blood pressure (headaches, blurred vision, chest pain)
have any other medical conditions such as current or previous heart problems or serious
heart rhythm problems.
have any other medical conditions such as weakening of the blood vessels in the brain,
inflammation of the blood vessels, have had a stroke
have eye problems, including increased pressure in your eye, glaucoma or trouble seeing
close-up
take any medicines for any other condition
have painful or long-lasting erections
have serious heart problems. You should be examined by a Heart Specialist before you
take Ritalin.
During treatment, you may be at risk of developing certain side effects. It is important
you understand these risks and how to monitor for them. See additional information
under Section
6. Are there any side effects?
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Check with your doctor if you are pregnant or intend to become pregnant.
Talk to your doctor if you are breastfeeding or intend to breastfeed.
Ritalin LA should not be taken during pregnancy unless your doctor specifically advises
you.
It may affect your developing baby, if you take it during pregnancy.
Do not breast feed while you are on Ritalin LA as the active ingredient in Ritalin
LA can pass into the breast milk.
Children under 6 years
Do not use Ritalin LA in children under 6 years of age.
Children under 18 years of age
Your doctor needs to take a detailed history and evaluation before you take Ritalin
LA.
Children may have slower growth if taking Ritalin LA for a long time.
3. What if I am taking other medicines?
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including any
medicines, vitamins or supplements that you buy without a prescription from your pharmacy,
supermarket or health food shop.
Do not take Ritalin LA if:
you are taking monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOI) or have taken this medicine in
the last 2 weeks.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any of the following medicines:
medicines that increase blood pressure;
tricyclic antidepressants (treats depression);
alpha 2 agonists (treat high blood pressure);
oral anticoagulants (prevent blood clots);
anticonvulsants (treat fits/seizures);
medicines that treat mental illnesses (antipsychotics)
phenylbutazone (treats pain or fever);
medicines that influence dopamine levels e.g. disease which affects movement (Parkinson's
disease);
that change the level of serotonin in the body such as sertraline or venlafaxine that
are used to treat depression.
Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure about what medicines, vitamins
or supplements you are taking and if these affect Ritalin LA.
4. How do I take Ritalin LA?
How much to take
Your doctor will decide the appropriate dose for you.
The recommended starting dose of Ritalin LA in adults is 20 mg once daily.
Daily doses above 80 mg are not recommended for adults.
The recommended starting dose in children aged 6 years and older is 5 mg (refer to
Ritalin 10 CMI).
Daily doses above 60 mg are not recommended for children 6 years and above.
Your doctor may adjust your dose or ask you to discontinue the medication based on
your response.
If you do not understand your dose, ask your doctor or pharmacist for help.
Follow the instructions provided and use Ritalin LA until your doctor tells you to
stop.
When to take Ritalin LA
Ritalin LA should be taken orally once daily in the morning and as per your doctor's
instructions.
Ritalin LA capsule may be swallowed as whole with a glass of water.
The capsules may be taken with or without food but always ensure to take them in the
same way (e.g. always with food or always without food).
Consult your doctor if you do not understand how to take your medicine.
Ritalin LA capsules and/or their contents should not be crushed, chewed or divided.
If you have problems swallowing the capsules:
The capsule contents can be sprinkled onto cold applesauce but should be swallowed
WITHOUT chewing.
Do not store the drug and food mixture for future use.
If you forget to take Ritalin LA
Ritalin LA should be taken regularly at the same time each day. If you miss your dose
at the usual time, take it as soon as possible.
If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the dose you missed and take your next
dose when you are meant to.
Do not take a double dose to make up for the dose you missed.
• Take the medicine as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take it more often and do
not use it for longer than your doctor advises you - this medicine can be addictive.
If you use too much Ritalin LA
If you think that you have used too much Ritalin LA, you may need urgent medical attention.
Symptoms of overdose:
vomiting, headache, sweating, very high fever, high blood pressure, dryness of mucous
membranes.
agitation, euphoria (feeling of extreme happiness), severe confusion, seeing, feeling
or hearing things that are not there (hallucinations)
tremors
unusually increased reflexes
muscle twitching
convulsions (may be followed by coma)
flushing, fast heart rate, fast or irregular heartbeats
dilated pupils and temporary paralysis or weakness of muscles.
You should immediately:
phone the Poisons Information Centre
(by calling
13 11 26), or
contact your doctor, or
go to the Emergency Department at your nearest hospital.
You should do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning.
5. What should I know while using Ritalin LA?
Things you should do
Take your medicine as directed by your doctor.
Make sure you keep any doctor's or specialist appointments as your doctor needs to
assess your treatment periodically. Your doctor may check your or your child's blood
pressure, height, weight, blood pressure and do some blood tests regularly.
Call your doctor straight away if you:
Have any chest pain, fainting or other possible heart problems.
Have any abnormal thoughts, over-active/excited or uninhibited actions, aggressive
behaviour, are seeing things.
Have fits or tics
Have eye problems
Have slurred speech, confusion, loss of coordination, sudden numbness
Have painful or long-lasting erections.
Remind any doctor, dentist or pharmacist you visit that you are using Ritalin LA.
Things you should not do
Do not stop using this medicine suddenly without first consulting with your doctor.
You may need medical supervision if you have interrupted the treatment.
Do not change the dose without consulting your doctor.
Do not take this drug to treat any other problems unless your doctor tells you to.
Do not give this medicine to anyone else, even if their condition seems like yours.
Keep all doctors and specialists appointments.
Misuse of Ritalin LA may cause sudden death and other serious heart problems.
Growth in children
Some children taking Ritalin LA for a long time can have a slower than normal growth.
Medicines that raise serotonin
For example sertraline, venlafaxine used to treat depression.
If you feel restless, have tremor, abnormal high temperature, nausea, vomiting - stop
using Ritalin LA.
Driving or using machines
Be careful before you drive or use any machines or tools until you know how Ritalin
LA affects you.
Ritalin LA may cause dizziness, drowsiness, blurred vision, or hallucinations (seeing
or hearing things that aren't there) in some people.
If you have any of the above symptoms, do not drive, use machines, or engage in any
other potentially hazardous activities.
Drinking alcohol
Do not drink alcohol while taking Ritalin LA.
Alcohol can make the side effects worse. Check to make sure food and other medicines
taken do not contain alcohol.
Ritalin LA may give a false positive lab test when testing for drug use. This includes
testing used in sport.
Looking after your medicine
Store below 30°C
Follow the instructions in the carton on how to take care of your medicine properly.
Store it in a cool dry place away from moisture, heat or sunlight; for example, do
not store it:
in the bathroom or near a sink, or
in the car or on window sills.
Keep it where young children cannot reach it.
Getting rid of any unwanted medicine
If you no longer need to use this medicine or it is out of date, take it to any pharmacy
for safe disposal.
Do not use this medicine after the expiry date.
6. Are there any side effects?
All medicines can have side effects. If you do experience any side effects, most of
them are minor and temporary. However, some side effects may need medical attention.
See the information below and, if you need to, ask your doctor or pharmacist if you
have any further questions about side effects.
Less serious side effects
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Less serious side effects
|
What to do
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|
Problems of the brain, spinal cord and nerves:
headache, dizziness
drowsiness or sleepiness
shaking of the body (tremor)
emotional problems - excitement, restlessness
rapid, extreme or unpredictable mood changes/mood swings
nervousness
being obsessed with one thing
feeling aggressive
feeling depressed
trouble falling asleep, sleeping problems
unusual active or depressed mood
confusion, disoriented
Heart problems:
a problem with heart rate or heart rhythm
changes in blood pressure and heart rate (usually an increase)
Infections:
sore throat
runny nose, nasal congestion
cough
sneezing
fever
Eating problems:
decreased appetite
decreased weight
reduced weight gain
Mental illness:
grind, gnash, or clench your teeth
irritability
feeling uneasy or worried - agitation
nervousness
Gut problems:
nausea
dry mouth
stomach pain or upset
feeling full soon after eating
indigestion
vomiting
toothache
diarrhoea
constipation
Skin problems:
rash
skin blisters
itchy skin
pink or red itchy rashes
hair loss
uncontrollable sweating
General problems:
feeling jittery
bed wetting
tiredness
slow growth
Blood-related problems:
fingers feel numb, have pins and needles or turn blue/purple
extreme hand or feet coldness
temporary muscle weakness, loss of skin sensation
Bones, joint problems:
joint stiffness or pain
decreased ability to eat or speak
locked jaw, trouble opening the mouth, tooth/neck/face pain
muscle cramping
muscle pain or twitch
Eye problems:
blurred eyesight
double vision
dilated pupils
trouble seeing
Lung problems:
cough
Body system which fights disease:
swelling of the ears
Reproductive problems:
increased breast size in males
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Speak to your doctor if you have any of these less serious side effects and they worry
you.
|
Serious side effects
|
Serious side effects
|
What to do
|
|
Problems of the brain, spinal cord and nerves:
twitching, jerking
fingers or toes feeling cold, numb, tingling and changing colour
fits
muscle twitching or tics
uncontrollable writhing of arms/legs, face or body
Heart problems:
very fast heart rate
chest pain
irregular beating of the heart
severe headache or confusion, weakness, unable to move (paralysis), trouble speaking
Mental illness:
thoughts of killing yourself
seeing, hearing or feeling things that aren't there
high temperature and muscle stiffness
drug abuse or dependence
Body system which fights disease:
sore throat with fever/chills
swelling of face, throat, lips, tongue; trouble breathing
tiredness with more infections or bleeding
Blood problems:
bruising
Reproductive problems:
prolonged erection, penis discomfort
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Call your doctor straight away, or go straight to the Emergency Department at your
nearest hospital if you notice any of these serious side effects.
|
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you notice anything else that may be making you
feel unwell.
Other side effects not listed here may occur in some people.
Reporting side effects
After you have received medical advice for any side effects you experience, you can
report side effects to the Therapeutic Goods Administration online at
www.tga.gov.au/reporting-problems . By reporting side effects, you can help provide more information on the safety of
this medicine.
Always make sure you speak to your doctor or pharmacist before you decide to stop
taking any of your medicines.
7. Product details
This medicine is only available with a doctor's prescription.
What Ritalin LA contains
|
Active ingredient
(main ingredient)
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Methylphenidate hydrochloride.
|
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Other ingredients
(inactive ingredients)
|
sugar spheres (sucrose and maize starch), methacrylic acid copolymer, purified talc,
triethyl citrate, macrogol 6000, gelatin, titanium dioxide, iron oxide yellow (10,
30, 40 mg and 60 mg capsules only), iron oxide black (10, 40 mg and 60 mg capsules
only), iron oxide red (40 mg and 60 mg capsules only) and TekPrint SW 8010.
|
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Potential allergens
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Sucrose, animal product
|
Do not take this medicine if you are allergic to any of these ingredients.
What Ritalin LA looks like
Ritalin LA are modified release capsules that present as follows:
10 mg containing white to off-white beads in a light brown opaque hard gelatin capsule
with the imprint of NVR on the cap and R10 on a white opaque body in tan-coloured
ink.
20 mg containing white to off-white beads in a white opaque hard gelatin capsule with
imprint NVR on the cap and R20 on body in tan-coloured ink.
30 mg containing white to off-white beads in a yellow opaque hard gelatin capsule
with the imprint NVR on cap and R30 on body in tan-coloured ink.
40 mg containing white to off-white beads in a light brown opaque hard gelatin capsule
with the imprint NVR on cap and R40 on body in tan-coloured ink.
60 mg containing white to off-white beads in a light brown opaque cap and a yellow
opaque body hard gelatin capsule with imprint NVR on cap and R60 on body in tan-coloured
ink. Not all presentations are available.
Australian Registration Number
Ritalin LA 10 mg: AUST R 160228
Ritalin LA 20 mg: AUST R 82957
Ritalin LA 30 mg: AUST R 82958
Ritalin LA 40 mg: AUST R 82959
Ritalin LA 60 mg: AUST R 236251
Who distributes Ritalin LA
Ritalin LA capsules are supplied in Australia by:
NOVARTIS Pharmaceuticals Australia Pty Limited
ABN 18 004 244 160
54 Waterloo Road
Macquarie Park NSW 2113
Telephone: 1 800 671 203
® = Registered Trademark
This leaflet was prepared in December 2025.
Internal document code:
rtlLA300124c_V2 based on PI rtl300124i