Methylphenidate (MPH; Ritalin, Concerta, Metadate, Methylin) is a psychostimulant drug approved for treatment of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome and narcolepsy. It may also be prescribed for off-label use in treatment-resistant cases of lethargy, depression, neural insult, and obesity. Methylphenidate belongs to the piperidine class of compounds and increases the levels of dopamine and norepinep...
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Methylphenidate (MPH; Ritalin, Concerta, Metadate, Methylin) is a psychostimulant drug approved for treatment of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome and narcolepsy. It may also be prescribed for off-label use in treatment-resistant cases of lethargy, depression, neural insult, and obesity. Methylphenidate belongs to the piperidine class of compounds and increases the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain through reuptake inhibition of the monoamine transporters. MPH possesses structural similarities to amphetamine, and though it is less potent, its pharmacological effects are even more closely related to those of cocaine. MPH is most commonly known by the trademark name Ritalin, which is an instant-release racemic mixture, although a variety of formulations and generic brand names exist.
Methylphenidate was first synthesized in 1944, and was identified as a stimulant in 1954.
Originally it was marketed as a mixture of two...
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