Methylphenidate

5 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS • Risks to Patients with Serious Cardiac Disease: Avoid use in patients with known structural cardiac abnormalities, cardiomyopathy, serious cardiac arrhythmias, coronary artery disease, or other serious cardiac disease. ( 5.2 ) • Increased Blood Pressure and Heart Rate: Monitor blood pressure and pulse. ( 5.3 ) • Psychiatric Adverse Reactions: Prior to initiating methylphenidate transdermal system, screen patients for risk factors for developing a manic episode. If new psychotic or manic symptoms occur, consider discontinuing methylphenidate transdermal system. ( 5.4 ) • Seizures: Stimulants may lower the convulsive threshold. Discontinue in the presence of seizures. ( 5.5 ) • Priapism: If abnormally sustained or frequent and painful erections occur, patients should seek immediate medical attention. ( 5.6 ) • Peripheral Vasculopathy, including Raynaud’s phenomenon: Careful observation for digital changes is necessary during methylphenidate transdermal system treatment. Further clinical evaluation (e.g., rheumatology referral) may be appropriate for patients who develop signs or symptoms of peripheral vasculopathy. ( 5.7 ) • Long-Term Suppression of Growth in Pediatric Patients: Closely monitor (height and weight) in pediatric patients. Pediatric patients not growing or gaining height or weight as expected may need to have their treatment interrupted. ( 5.8 ) • Chemical Leukoderma: Methylphenidate transdermal system use may result in a persistent loss of skin pigmentation at and around the application site. Loss of pigmentation, in some cases, has been reported at other sites distant from the application site. Monitor for signs of skin depigmentation. Discontinue methylphenidate transdermal system if it occurs. ( 5.9 ) • Contact Sensitization: Use of methylphenidate transdermal system may lead to contact sensitization. Treatment should be discontinued if contact sensitization is suspected. Erythema is commonly seen with use of methylphenidate transdermal system and is not by itself an indication of sensitization. However, contact sensitization should be suspected if erythema is accompanied by evidence of a more intense local reaction (edema, papules, vesicles) that does not significantly improve within 48 hours or spreads beyond the transdermal system site. ( 5.10 ) • External Heat: Patients should be advised to avoid exposing the methylphenidate transdermal system application site to direct external heat sources. When heat is applied to methylphenidate transdermal system after application, both the rate and extent of absorption are significantly increased. ( 5.11 ) • Hematologic monitoring: Periodic CBC, differential, and platelet counts are advised during prolonged therapy. ( 5.12 ) • Acute Angle Closure Glaucoma: Methylphenidate transdermal system-treated patients considered at risk for acute angle closure glaucoma (e.g., patients with significant hyperopia) should be evaluated by an ophthalmologist. ( 5.13 ) • Increased Intraocular Pressure (IOP) and Glaucoma: Prescribe methylphenidate transdermal system to patients with open-angle glaucoma or abnormally increased IOP only if the benefit of treatment is considered to outweigh the risk. Closely monitor patients with a history of increased IOP or open angle glaucoma. ( 5.14 ) • Motor and Verbal Tics and Worsening of Tourette’s Syndrome: Before initiating methylphenidate transdermal system, assess the family history and clinically evaluate patients for tics or Tourette’s syndrome. Regularly monitor patients for the emergence or worsening of tics or Tourette’s syndrome. Discontinue treatment if clinically appropriate. ( 5.15 ) 5.1 Abuse, Misuse, and Addiction Methylphenidate transdermal system has a high potential for abuse and misuse. The use of methylphenidate transdermal system exposes individuals to the risks of abuse and misuse, which can lead to the development of a substance use disorder, including addiction. Methylphenidate can be diverted for non-medical use into illicit channels or distribution [see Drug Abuse and Dependence (9.2) ] . Misuse and abuse of CNS stimulants, including methylphenidate transdermal system, can result in overdose and death [see Overdosage (10) ] , and this risk is increased with higher doses or unapproved methods of administration, such as snorting or injection. Before prescribing methylphenidate transdermal system, assess each patient’s risk for abuse, misuse, and addiction. Educate patients and their caregivers or families about these risks. Advise patients to store methylphenidate transdermal system in a safe place, preferably locked, and instruct patients to not give methylphenidate transdermal system to anyone else. Throughout methylphenidate transdermal system treatment, reassess each patient’s risk of abuse, misuse, and addiction and frequently monitor for signs and symptoms of abuse, misuse, and addiction. Methylphenidate transdermal system has special disposal instructions. Instruct patients to find a take back location to dispose of unused or expired methylphenidate transdermal system. If a take back program is unavailable, instruct them to: 1. Remove methylphenidate transdermal system from its pouch, separate it from its liner, fold it in half with the adhesive sides touching each other, and immediately flush the used transdermal system down the toilet, and 2. Place the pouch and liner in a container, close the container, and throw out the container in the trash (advise patients not to flush the pouch and liner down the toilet). 5.2 Risks to Patients with Serious Cardiac Disease Sudden death has been reported in patients with structural cardiac abnormalities or other serious cardiac disease who were treated with CNS stimulants at the recommended ADHD dosage. Avoid methylphenidate transdermal system use in patients with known structural cardiac abnormalities, cardiomyopathy, serious cardiac arrhythmia, coronary artery disease, or other serious cardiac disease. 5.3 Increased Blood Pressure and Heart Rate CNS stimulants may cause an increase in blood pressure (mean increase approximately 2 to 4 mmHg) and heart rate (mean increase approximately 3 to 6 bpm). Some patients may have larger increases. Monitor all methylphenidate transdermal system-treated patients for hypertension and tachycardia. 5.4 Psychiatric Adverse Reactions Exacerbation of Pre-Existing Psychosis CNS stimulants may exacerbate symptoms of behavior disturbance and thought disorder in patients with a preexisting psychotic disorder. Induction of a Manic Episode in Patients with Bipolar Disease CNS stimulants may induce a manic or mixed episode in patients. Prior to initiating methylphenidate transdermal system treatment, screen patients for risk factors for developing a manic episode (e.g., comorbid or history of depressive symptoms or a family history of suicide, bipolar disorder, or depression). New Psychotic or Manic Symptoms CNS stimulants, at the recommended dosages, may cause psychotic or manic symptoms, (e.g., hallucinations, delusional thinking, or mania) in patients without a prior history of psychotic illness or mania. In a pooled analysis of multiple short-term, placebo-controlled studies of CNS stimulants, psychotic or manic symptoms occurred in approximately 0.1% of CNS stimulant-treated patients compared with 0% of placebo-treated patients. If such symptoms occur, consider discontinuing methylphenidate transdermal system. 5.5 Seizures There is some clinical evidence that stimulants may lower the convulsive threshold in patients with prior history of seizures, in patients with prior EEG abnormalities in absence of seizures, and, very rarely, in patients without a history of seizures and no prior EEG evidence of seizures. In the presence of seizures, the drug should be discontinued. 5.6 Priapism Prolonged and painful erections, sometimes requiring surgical intervention, have been reported with methylphenidate use in both adult and pediatric male patients. Although priapism was not reported with methylphenidate initiation, it developed after some time on the methylphenidate, often subsequent to an increase in dosage. Priapism also occurred during methylphenidate withdrawal (drug holidays or during discontinuation). Methylphenidate transdermal system-treated patients who develop abnormally sustained or frequent and painful erections should seek immediate medical attention. 5.7 Peripheral Vasculopathy, including Raynaud’s phenomenon Stimulant medications, including methylphenidate transdermal system, used to treat ADHD are associated with peripheral vasculopathy, including Raynaud’s phenomenon. Signs and symptoms are usually intermittent and mild; however, sequelae have included digital ulceration and/or soft tissue breakdown. Effects of peripheral vasculopathy, including Raynaud’s phenomenon, were observed in post-marketing reports and at therapeutic dosages of CNS stimulants in all age groups throughout the course of treatment. Signs and symptoms generally improved after dosage reduction or discontinuation of the CNS stimulant. Careful observation for digital changes is necessary during methylphenidate transdermal system treatment. Further clinical evaluation (e.g., rheumatology referral) may be appropriate for methylphenidate transdermal system-treated patients who develop signs or symptoms of peripheral vasculopathy. 5.8 Long-Term Suppression of Growth in Pediatric Patients Methylphenidate transdermal system is not approved for use and is not recommended in pediatric patients below 6 years of age [see Use in Specific Populations (8.4) ] . CNS stimulants have been associated with weight loss and slowing of growth rate in pediatric patients. Careful follow-up of weight and height in children ages 7 to 10 years who were randomized to either methylphenidate or non-medication treatment groups over 14 months, as well as in naturalistic subgroups of newly methylphenidate-treated and non-medication treated children over 36 months (to the ages of 10 to 13 years), suggests that pediatric patients who received methylphenidate for 7 days per week throughout the year had a temporary slowing in growth rate (on average, a total of about 2 cm less growth in height and 2.7 kg less growth in weight over 3 years), without evidence of growth rebound during this development period. Closely monitor growth (weight and height) in methylphenidate transdermal system-treated pediatric patients. Pediatric patients not growing or gaining height or weight as expected may need to have their treatment interrupted. 5.9 Chemical Leukoderma Methylphenidate transdermal system use may result in a persistent loss of skin pigmentation at and around the application site. Loss of pigmentation, in some cases, has been reported at other sites distant from the application site. Chemical leukoderma can mimic the appearance of vitiligo, particularly when the loss of skin pigmentation involves areas distant from the application site. Individuals with a history of vitiligo and/or a family history of vitiligo may be more at risk. Skin depigmentation may persist even after methylphenidate transdermal system use is discontinued. Monitor for signs of skin depigmentation, and advise patients to immediately inform their healthcare provider if changes in skin pigmentation occur. Discontinue use of the methylphenidate transdermal system in patients with chemical leukoderma. 5.10 Contact Sensitization In an open-label study of 305 subjects conducted to characterize dermal reactions in children with ADHD treated with methylphenidate transdermal system using a 9-hour wear time, one subject (0.3%) was confirmed by transdermal system testing to be sensitized to methylphenidate (allergic contact dermatitis). This subject experienced erythema and edema at methylphenidate transdermal system application sites with concurrent urticarial lesions on the abdomen and legs resulting in treatment discontinuation. This subject was not transitioned to oral methylphenidate. Use of methylphenidate transdermal system may lead to contact sensitization. Methylphenidate transdermal system should be discontinued if contact sensitization is suspected. Erythema is commonly seen with use of methylphenidate transdermal system and is not by itself an indication of sensitization. However, contact sensitization should be suspected if erythema is accompanied by evidence of a more intense local reaction (edema, papules, vesicles) that does not significantly improve within 48 hours or spreads beyond the transdermal system site. Confirmation of a diagnosis of contact sensitization (allergic contact dermatitis) may require further diagnostic testing. Patients sensitized from use of methylphenidate transdermal system, as evidenced by development of an allergic contact dermatitis, may develop systemic sensitization or other systemic reactions if methylphenidate-containing products are taken via other routes, e.g., orally. Manifestations of systemic sensitization may include a flare-up of previous dermatitis or of prior positive transdermal system-test sites, or generalized skin eruptions in previously unaffected skin. Other systemic reactions may include headache, fever, malaise, arthralgia, diarrhea, or vomiting. No cases of systemic sensitization have been observed in clinical trials of methylphenidate transdermal system. Patients who develop contact sensitization to methylphenidate transdermal system and require oral treatment with methylphenidate should be initiated on oral medication under close medical supervision. It is possible that some patients sensitized to methylphenidate by exposure to methylphenidate transdermal system may not be able to take methylphenidate in any form. 5.11 Patients Using External Heat Patients should be advised to avoid exposing the methylphenidate transdermal system application site to direct external heat sources, such as hair dryers, heating pads, electric blankets, heated water beds, etc., while wearing the transdermal system. When heat is applied to methylphenidate transdermal system after application, both the rate and extent of absorption are significantly increased. The temperature-dependent increase in methylphenidate absorption can be greater than 2-fold [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ] . This increased absorption can be clinically significant and can result in overdose of methylphenidate [see Overdosage (10) ] . 5.12 Hematologic Monitoring Periodic CBC, differential, and platelet counts are advised during prolonged therapy. 5.13 Acute Angle Closure Glaucoma There have been reports of angle closure glaucoma associated with methylphenidate treatment. Although the mechanism is not clear, methylphenidate transdermal system-treated patients considered at risk for acute angle closure glaucoma (e.g., patients with significant hyperopia) should be evaluated by an ophthalmologist. 5.14 Increased Intraocular Pressure and Glaucoma There have been reports of an elevation of intraocular pressure (IOP) associated with methylphenidate treatment [see Adverse Reactions (6.2) ] . Prescribe methylphenidate transdermal system to patients with open-angle glaucoma or abnormally increased IOP only if the benefit of treatment is considered to outweigh the risk. Closely monitor methylphenidate transdermal system -treated patients with a history of abnormally increased IOP or open angle glaucoma. 5.15 Motor and Verbal Tics, and Worsening of Tourette’s Syndrome CNS stimulants, including methylphenidate, have been associated with the onset or exacerbation of motor and verbal tics. Worsening of Tourette’s syndrome has also been reported [see Adverse Reactions (6.2) ] . Before initiating methylphenidate transdermal system, assess the family history and clinically evaluate patients for tics or Tourette’s syndrome. Regularly monitor methylphenidate transdermal system -treated patients for the emergence or worsening of tics or Tourette’s syndrome, and discontinue treatment if clinically appropriate.