Artige (Methylphenidate Hydrochloride)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is Artige Used For?
Artige contains methylphenidate hydrochloride, a medicine that increases brain activity to help improve focus and reduce sleep attacks.
Primary Uses
Artige is prescribed to treat Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in children and narcolepsy (a sleep-attack disorder) in adults.
How It Works
Artige belongs to a class of medicines that increases the activity of the brain, helping to improve concentration and reduce hyperactivity symptoms.
How to Take Artige
Take Artige exactly as prescribed by your doctor. The dose and timing depend on your condition and age.
Dosage Instructions
For ADHD (children only): Start with 5mg once or twice daily at breakfast or lunch, with gradual increases of 5mg or 10mg weekly as directed. Maximum dose is 60mg per day. For Narcolepsy (adults only): Average dose is 20-30mg daily, maximum 60mg per day. Take doses 1-2 hours before maximum effect is needed. Swallow whole or half tablet with water. Take before 6pm to avoid sleep problems.
What If You Miss a Dose?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular schedule. Never take a double dose to make up for a missed one.
Important: Never take more than prescribed – this medicine can be addictive. Do not stop suddenly without talking to your doctor.
Available Tablet Strengths
Side Effects
Like all medications, this medicine can cause side effects. Most are mild and temporary, but some require medical attention.
Common Side Effects
These side effects occur relatively frequently and usually don’t require emergency care:
- Headache
- Drowsiness
- Dizziness
- Body shaking (tremor)
- Mood changes
- Restlessness
- Nausea
- Dry mouth
- Decreased appetite
- Weight loss
- Sleep problems
- Nervousness
- Stomach upset
- Vomiting
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- Chest pain
- Very fast or irregular heartbeat
- Fits or seizures
- Muscle twitching or tics
- Suicidal thoughts
- Hallucinations (seeing/hearing things that aren’t there)
- High fever with muscle stiffness
- Severe headache with confusion or paralysis
- Prolonged erection
- Swelling of face/throat/lips with breathing trouble
- Signs of infection with fever/chills
Important Warnings
Artige has serious warnings about drug dependence and should not be used by people with certain medical conditions.
Who Should Not Take Artige
Do not take if you have: allergies to methylphenidate, anxiety/tension/agitation, Tourette’s Syndrome or family history, glaucoma, overactive thyroid, heart problems, very high blood pressure, severe depression or eating disorders, adrenal gland tumors. Do not use in children under 6 years old.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Tell your doctor if you have: depression, suicidal thoughts, hallucinations, bipolar illness, aggressive behavior, motor/verbal tics, seizures, high blood pressure, heart problems, blood vessel problems, history of drug/alcohol abuse, eye problems, or painful erections.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Do not take Artige in the first 3 months of pregnancy. Do not breastfeed while taking this medicine. Tell your doctor immediately if you become pregnant while taking Artige.
Drug Dependence Warning: Artige should be given cautiously to patients with a history of drug dependence or alcoholism. Chronic abuse can lead to tolerance, psychological dependence, and psychotic episodes. Careful supervision is required during withdrawal.
Drug Interactions
Several medications can interact with Artige and affect how it works or increase side effects.
Surgery Alert: Tell your doctor about any planned surgery – Artige cannot be taken with anesthetics due to blood pressure risks.
- Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) – do not take within 2 weeks
- Blood pressure medications
- Tricyclic antidepressants
- Alpha 2 agonists
- Blood thinners (oral anticoagulants)
- Anti-seizure medications (anticonvulsants)
- Antipsychotic medications
- Phenylbutazone (pain/fever medicine)
- Parkinson’s disease medications
- Serotonin-affecting drugs like sertraline or venlafaxine
- Anesthetics (cannot be taken together during surgery)
Alcohol & Driving
Artige can affect your ability to drive safely and should not be combined with alcohol.
Alcohol
Do not drink alcohol while taking Artige. Alcohol can make side effects worse. Check that food and other medicines don’t contain alcohol.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Be careful before driving or using machines until you know how Artige affects you. This medicine may cause dizziness, drowsiness, blurred vision, or hallucinations in some people.
Storage
Store Artige tablets below 25°C in a cool, dry place away from moisture, heat, and sunlight. Keep out of reach of children. Do not store in bathrooms, cars, or on window sills. Take expired or unwanted medicine to any pharmacy for safe disposal.
Overdose Information
If you think you’ve taken too much Artige, seek urgent medical attention immediately. Overdose symptoms may include vomiting, agitation, headache, tremor, muscle twitching, irregular heartbeat, flushing, fever, sweating, dilated pupils, breathing problems, confusion, fits, or muscle breakdown. Call the Poisons Information Centre (13 11 26), contact your doctor, or go to the nearest hospital emergency department, even if you feel fine.
Frequently Asked Questions
Artige should be taken 1-2 hours before the maximum effect is needed, suggesting it begins working within this timeframe.
Yes, Artige should be taken once or twice daily at breakfast or lunch as directed by your doctor.
Yes, Artige can be addictive. It should be given cautiously to patients with a history of drug dependence or alcoholism, and chronic abuse can lead to tolerance and psychological dependence.
Do not stop taking Artige suddenly. Stopping suddenly can cause withdrawal effects including depression or long-lasting over-activity. Severe depression may occur during withdrawal from abusive use.
No, do not drink alcohol while taking Artige. Alcohol can make the side effects worse, and you should check that food and other medicines don’t contain alcohol.
Yes, some children taking Artige for a long time can have slower than normal growth. Your doctor will monitor this during treatment.
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose when scheduled. Never take a double dose to make up for the missed one.
Important Disclaimer
This information is intended for general educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services immediately.