Metadate and Depression

Side effects are possible with Metadate, and depression has been reported. However, it is unclear exactly how often this occurs in people taking the drug. On the other hand, stimulants like Metadate are also sometimes used in an off-label fashion to treat depression. Because there is a known link between Metadate and depression, even though it can help treat it, it's also important to be aware of symptoms of depression when taking the drug.

Metadate CD Medication

Metadate and Depression: An Overview

Several side effects are possible for people taking Metadate ER^® or Metadate CD^® (methylphenidate extended release), and depression has been reported in clinical studies of methylphenidate (the active ingredient of Metadate). However, medications like Metadate are also sometimes used to help treat depression.

Metadate and Depression: Understanding Clinical Trials

Before medicines are approved, they must go through several clinical studies in which people are given a particular medicine and compared to a group of people not given the medicine. In these studies, side effects are always documented. This way, it is possible to see what side effects occur, how often they appear, and how they compare to the group not taking the medicine.

Side effects are then usually separated into those that occur in more than 1 percent of people (common side effects) and those that occur in less than 1 percent of people (rare side effects).

In clinical studies, depression was a reported side effect of methylphenidate, although the specific frequency was not reported. Thus, it is difficult to say how common it is for people taking Metadate to experience depression.

Metadate for Depression Treatment

Stimulants like Metadate are also sometimes used to treat depression. Although not approved for this use, stimulants can help to rapidly improve associated symptoms. However, the manufacturer of Metadate specifically warns that the medicine should not be used to treat severe depression. The drug has not been studied for this use, and it is possible that it may make depression worse.

(Metadate and Depression Continued: Page 2)