Side effects of methylphenidate for children

These common side effects of methylphenidate may happen in more than 1 in 100 children. There are things you can do for your child to help them cope with them:

Make sure your child rests and drinks plenty of fluids. Painkillers such as paracetamol (Calpol) can help.

Talk to your doctor if your child's headaches are severe or do not go away.

If your child is finding it hard to sleep, try giving them their last dose at least 6 hours before bedtime. Speak to their doctor if this does not help. They may want to try slow release tablets or capsules instead.

It may help to give your child methylphenidate with a meal.

You may notice they lose some weight during the first few months of treatment. Your child will probably put this weight back on once they are used to the medicine.

If you notice they are losing a lot of weight speak to their doctor.

Try to get your child to rest and relax. It can help if they eat and drink slowly and have smaller and more frequent meals. Putting a heat pad or covered hot water bottle on their stomach may also help.

If they're in a lot of pain, or it does not go away, speak to a pharmacist or their doctor.

This usually gets better quite quickly. It may help to give your child small sips of water and citrus fruits like oranges or satsumas.

Stick to simple meals and do not give your child rich or spicy food if they feel sick. It might help to give them their methylphenidate with or after a meal or snack.

If they're being sick, encourage them to take small, frequent sips of water or squash to avoid dehydration.

If your child keeps being sick or having severe stomach pains, see a doctor.

Keep giving your child the medicine, but tell your child's doctor if the advice on how to cope does not help and these side effects bother your child or do not go away.