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Metadate CD Side Effects
Headache, loss of appetite, and stomach pain are common side effects of Metadate CD. These are typically mild and usually do not require medical attention. However, you should notify your healthcare provider immediately if you experience shortness of breath, fainting or seizures, hallucinations, or suicidal thoughts. Other rare Metadate CD side effects include drowsiness, hair loss, and anemia.
As with any medicine, side effects are possible with Metadate CD® (methylphenidate extended-release). However, not everyone who takes the medication will experience side effects. In fact, most people tolerate Metadate CD quite well. If side effects do occur, in most cases, they are minor, meaning they require no treatment or are easily treated by you or your healthcare provider.
(The Metadate CD side effects discussed below are not a complete list of reported side effects. Your healthcare provider can discuss a more complete list with you.)
Metadate CD has been studied thoroughly in clinical trials, in which side effects occurring in a group of people taking the drug were documented and compared to the side effects that occurred in another group not taking the medicine. 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.
Based on these studies, the most common side effects of Metadate CD include:
- Headache -- in up to 12 percent of people
- Loss of appetite -- in up to 9 percent (see Metadate and Weight Loss)
- Abdominal pain (stomach pain) -- in up to 7 percent
- Insomnia -- in up to 5 percent.
Metadate CD can also temporarily slow down the growth of children. This is usually small, and children usually catch up to normal growth rates with time.
(Click Long-Term Side Effects of Metadate for more information on possible long-term side effects seen with the drug.)
Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD