Key Points

  • Methylphenidate is a stimulant medication used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adults and children over six years old.
  • Methylphenidate has several brand names, including Ritalin, Concerta, and Azstarys, to name just a few.
  • The medication can be taken orally or as a patch and is designed to help reduce impulsivity while increasing focus and attention.
  • The duration of the effects of methylphenidate depends on the type of medication: immediate-release or extended-release.
  • Other factors, such as weight and alcohol intake, may also impact how long the effects last.

ADHD is a neurotype characterized by inattentiveness, impulsivity, and/or a lack of focus. It affects around 7 million American children, but it’s not curable. Many adults also deal with the impact of ADHD every day.[1] Although the condition presents differently in every individual, many people find that stimulant medication helps them manage the more challenging symptoms. One of these stimulants is methylphenidate.

This medication boosts the levels of certain neurotransmitters in the brain, which can promote focus and motivation. However, these beneficial effects only last for a few hours. Let’s take a look at how long methylphenidate lasts and what can impact that duration.

What Is Methylphenidate?

Methylphenidate is a central nervous system (CNS) stimulant that can only be prescribed by a healthcare professional. It’s a Schedule II controlled substance due to its potential for addiction and abuse. While the science behind the drug’s impact isn’t well understood, it’s FDA-approved as an evidence-based treatment for some of the symptoms of ADHD.[2]

A Brief Introduction to ADHD

ADHD is not a mental health condition, although the symptoms may be concurrent with mental health disorders like anxiety and depression.[3] ADHD represents an alternative neurotype that refers to the way your brain works. Most people are neurotypical, which means they have no diagnosed or recognized neurodivergence and match the societal and medical expectations for the standard or neuronormative brain. ADHD neurotypes may be unfocused, inattentive, or struggle with impulsivity. Sometimes, individuals are diagnosed with both autism and ADHD, which is colloquially known as AuDHD. The causes of ADHD aren’t well understood, but the general consensus is that it’s genetic and related to brain anatomy.[4]

Types of Methylphenidate Medication Used for ADHD

Methylphenidate is used to treat the symptoms of ADHD that may be causing challenges for the individual. For example, inattentiveness may cause a child to get behind at school and prevent them from reaching their potential. In an adult, impulsive behavior might hold the individual back in the workplace, with colleagues incorrectly considering them rude or combative. Methylphenidate can help reduce the severity of these symptoms.

There are two primary types of methylphenidate used for ADHD: immediate-release and extended-release oral medication. You might see immediate-release medication written as [brand name] IR, which indicates that your body starts absorbing and processing the tablet or capsule as soon as it’s taken. Ritalin is an immediate-release brand of methylphenidate, although there is now Ritalin LA (long-acting), which is an extended-release variant of the same brand.[5]

Extended-release methylphenidate is sometimes tagged with XR, ER, or LA. These are usually capsules that are built in layers. One layer dissolves and delivers a certain dose of the stimulant. The inner layer dissolves later in the day, delivering a second dose to provide beneficial effects for longer. One of the most well-known brands of XR methylphenidate is Concerta.[6]

In addition to tablets and capsules, methylphenidate may be prescribed as an oral liquid, a chewable tablet, or a patch.[7]

How Methylphenidate Works

Methylphenidate is a stimulant and works in a similar way to amphetamine, although it’s generally considered not as potent. The formulation of methylphenidate impacts the reuptake of neurotransmitters, namely dopamine and norepinephrine. Scientists aren’t exactly sure why this is so beneficial to individuals with ADHD. However, the medication is proven to increase alertness, motor function, and mood while reducing fatigue and impulsivity.[8]

Some doctors may also prescribe methylphenidate to help with narcolepsy, a sleeping disorder that causes people to fall asleep suddenly with no warning.[8]

How Long Does the Effect of Methylphenidate Last?

So, how long does Ritalin last, and what about other brands of methylphenidate? Unsurprisingly, it depends on the type of methylphenidate your healthcare provider has prescribed for you. Immediate-release versions like Ritalin stay active for just a few hours, and most people experience the peak effects in less than two hours.[8] However, the beneficial effects can last for up to four hours.[9] That usually means a second dose to cover the entire school or work day, and some people may need support to remember to take their second dose. For children, a member of the school team may provide their second dose.

Extended-release capsules, as the name suggests, last for a longer period of time. Concerta extended-release capsules, for example, can last between six and ten hours.[6] This means individuals can take just one tablet in the morning and start to feel the effects by the time they need to focus on work and school. Those effects will continue throughout the day and, in most cases, start wearing off as the individual arrives home.

Another form of extended-release methylphenidate is JORNAY PM. This tablet is for children and adults who struggle in the morning, perhaps with getting ready, maintaining a routine, or settling in at school. It starts to work just before the individual wakes up, providing them with the support they need as the day begins.[10] Talk to your medical professional or pediatrician to figure out which type of methylphenidate is the best for you or your child.

Woman removing pill from pill organizer.

Factors That Impact How Long Methylphenidate Lasts

You’ll notice that the duration of methylphenidate is two to four hours or six to ten hours. This range is because everyone is an individual and reacts to the substance differently. Weight, lifestyle, health conditions, and other medications can all impact how long methylphenidate lasts.

For most individuals, a medical professional will start them on a low dose and monitor how this impacts them. If the dose is wearing off too early, they may prescribe a stronger dose or an alternative form of the medication. For example, students who are already hyperactive again by the time their last lessons come around may be moved to an extended-release version of their medication.[7]

Methylphenidate Side Effects

While methylphenidate is generally safe to use when taken as prescribed, there are some potential side effects.[8] These include:

  • Raised blood pressure
  • Increased heart rate
  • Reduced appetite, which may suddenly increase when the effects of the medication wear off
  • Headaches
  • Excessive sweating
  • Mood swings
  • Nausea
  • Abdominal pain
  • Insomnia
  • Dry mouth

Many of these side effects are minor and may resolve within a week or two after starting the medication. Always keep your prescribing healthcare professional up-to-date with any side effects so they can adjust your dosage if needed.

Methylphenidate Addiction

One of the reasons methylphenidate is a controlled substance is that it’s physically addictive. When someone takes methylphenidate over a long period of time and becomes reliant on it, suddenly stopping the medication can cause uncomfortable symptoms known as withdrawal. Withdrawal symptoms from methylphenidate include extreme fatigue and mood changes, including depression.[8]

If you need to stop taking methylphenidate, work with your physician to taper off the drug slowly. This may be necessary if you experience medication-related problems with your blood pressure, heart rate, or other bodily systems and functions.

Support with Methylphenidate and Other Substances

Methylphenidate is a highly beneficial drug when taken correctly. However, like many other medications, it’s open to substance abuse.

Our treatment center handles most types of substance use disorders and offers addiction treatment. We also help with many dual diagnoses in which mental health issues have been diagnosed in conjunction with addiction or substance abuse. Whether you’re concerned about the possibility of addiction to your ADHD medication or struggling with other medications like antidepressants, we can help.