The information provided on this website is intended for Healthcare Professionals in the UK only.
If you are a parent or caregiver of a child who has been prescribed Methylphenidate Hydrochloride 2mg/ml oral solution for ADHD, please click here.
If you are interested in finding out more about ADHD, please click here.
Adverse event reporting information can be found at the bottom of the page.

Prescribing Information

Why Prescribe

Riley, 10 years old

The above illustration has been created to depict choice.

First licensed Methylphenidate Hydrochloride 2 mg/ml oral solution for children with ADHD aged 6 years and over¹

The ONLY licensed immediate-release, non-solid formulation of methylphenidate
Bioequivalent to Ritalin^® (methylphenidate hydrochloride) 10mg tablets, so well-established efficacy and safety profile^1,2
Neutral to sweet taste, with no artificial flavouring agents or sweeteners³

Dosing information

As with all methylphenidate therapy for paediatric ADHD, careful dose titration is needed at the start of treatment with Methylphenidate Hydrochloride 2mg/ml oral solution:¹

Dose titration should be started at the lowest possible dose²
Treatment should be initiated with a dose of 5mg once or twice daily (e.g. at breakfast and lunch), increasing the dose and frequency of administration if necessary by weekly increments of 5–10mg in the daily dose¹
The total daily dose should be given in divided doses¹
Each dose should be swallowed with a drink of water¹
May be taken with or without food
- Concomitant food intake may alleviate gastrointestinal disturbances such as nausea and discomfort
Doses above 60mg daily are NOT recommended¹

When would you prescribe
Methylphenidate oral solution?

Ryan – chose an oral solution

Diagnosed with ADHD a few weeks after his sixth birthday
Stimulant therapy initiated after several months of remedial measures failed to deliver improvements as needed
Doctor discussed the importance of staying on track with Ryan and his parents, encouraging Ryan to share his feelings about things that could affect this
When given the option, Ryan chose to receive his methylphenidate (MPH) therapy in liquid form, based on his positive experience of taking liquid paracetamol
Doctor is currently titrating Ryan’s MPH dose using MPH 2mg/ml oral solution, which is bioequivalent to Ritalin 10mg tablets

Fictional story – not actual patient

Dillon – difficulty swallowing

Eight years old, recently started first-line methylphenidate (MPH) therapy for ADHD after receiving behavioural therapy and educational support for several months without success
Doctor wanted to start low dose Immediate-release MPH tablets, then titrate upwards until an optimal balance of efficacy and tolerability was reached
Treatment did not start well, as Dillon has difficulty swallowing solid-dose formulations:
- Efforts to overcome this caused resentment and exacerbated his behavioural issues, as reported by his grandmother who is his primary caregiver
- Grandmother tried to crush his MPH tablets and mix them with foods such as yoghurt, but Dillon often refused to eat all of the mixture
- Doctor noted that this was hindering titration, as well as disrupting family life
Doctor changed Dillion’s formulation to MPH 2mg/ml oral solution, which was a straightforward switch, as MPH oral solution is bioequivalent to Ritalin 10mg tablets

Fictional story – not actual patient

Jayden – co-morbidities

Eight years old with complex mental health needs
Recently diagnosed with obsessive-compulsive disorder, a tic disorder and ADHD, following an existing diagnosis of avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder
Methylphenidate (MPH) therapy for ADHD was initiated after several months of remedial measures proved suboptimal
Doctor recognised that titration would have to be slower than usual, given Jayden’s co-morbidities, with more frequent monitoring
Doctor prescribed MPH 2mg/ml oral solution as MPH tablets may well have proved difficult for Jayden, particularly in light of his eating disorder
This formulation has been accepted by Jayden and gradual titration is ongoing

Fictional story – not actual patient

Sophie – not taking tablets

Twelve years old, diagnosed with ADHD after finding the move to secondary school very difficult
Immediate-release methylphenidate (MPH) therapy was added to her programme of care after 6 months of behavioural therapy and educational support alone proved insufficient
Initially responded well, but efficacy waned and her mother reported that Sophie was often ‘away with the fairies’ again
Further investigation revealed that Sophie doesn’t always take her MPH tablets as prescribed, as she sometimes gags when trying to swallow
Sophie and her mother made a real effort at the start of treatment, crushing tablets and mixing them with food, but maintaining that commitment has proved challenging
With Sophie’s agreement, her formulation was switched to MPH 2mg/ml oral solution, to better meet her ongoing needs

Fictional story – not actual patient

Bella – increased ‘tablet anxiety’

Ten years old, currently receiving extended-release (ER) methylphenidate (MPH) therapy for her ADHD, having started treatment just over a year ago
Has not been an easy journey, as she also has autism spectrum disorder, with hypersensitivity that makes taking tablets very challenging
Finds that her ER MPH works well throughout the school day, but that efficacy tends to fade by the time she attends swimming practice after school
Doctor suggested top-up therapy with Immediate-release MPH, to help her in the early evening
Bella likes the idea of top-up therapy, but the prospect of having to take more tablets made her very anxious
Doctor noted Bella’s anxiety and was concerned that having to take additional tablets may compromise adherence to therapy
Doctor reassured Bella that MPH is available as an oral solution, so she will be able to have top-up treatment without having to take more tablets

Fictional story – not actual patient

Young children

Ryan – chose an oral solution

Diagnosed with ADHD a few weeks after his sixth birthday
Stimulant therapy initiated after several months of remedial measures failed to deliver improvements as needed
Doctor discussed the importance of staying on track with Ryan and his parents, encouraging Ryan to share his feelings about things that could affect this
When given the option, Ryan chose to receive his methylphenidate (MPH) therapy in liquid form, based on his positive experience of taking liquid paracetamol
Doctor is currently titrating Ryan’s MPH dose using MPH 2mg/ml oral solution, which is bioequivalent to Ritalin 10mg tablets

Fictional story – not actual patient

Swallowing difficulties

Dillon – difficulty swallowing

Eight years old, recently started first-line methylphenidate (MPH) therapy for ADHD after receiving behavioural therapy and educational support for several months without success
Doctor wanted to start low dose Immediate-release MPH tablets, then titrate upwards until an optimal balance of efficacy and tolerability was reached
Treatment did not start well, as Dillon has difficulty swallowing solid-dose formulations:
- Efforts to overcome this caused resentment and exacerbated his behavioural issues, as reported by his grandmother who is his primary caregiver
- Grandmother tried to crush his MPH tablets and mix them with foods such as yoghurt, but Dillon often refused to eat all of the mixture
- Doctor noted that this was hindering titration, as well as disrupting family life
Doctor changed Dillion’s formulation to MPH 2mg/ml oral solution, which was a straightforward switch, as MPH oral solution is bioequivalent to Ritalin 10mg tablets

Fictional story – not actual patient

Co-morbidities

Jayden – co-morbidities

Eight years old with complex mental health needs
Recently diagnosed with obsessive-compulsive disorder, a tic disorder and ADHD, following an existing diagnosis of avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder
Methylphenidate (MPH) therapy for ADHD was initiated after several months of remedial measures proved suboptimal
Doctor recognised that titration would have to be slower than usual, given Jayden’s co-morbidities, with more frequent monitoring
Doctor prescribed MPH 2mg/ml oral solution as MPH tablets may well have proved difficult for Jayden, particularly in light of his eating disorder
This formulation has been accepted by Jayden and gradual titration is ongoing

Fictional story – not actual patient

Non-solid formulation

Sophie – not taking tablets

Twelve years old, diagnosed with ADHD after finding the move to secondary school very difficult
Immediate-release methylphenidate (MPH) therapy was added to her programme of care after 6 months of behavioural therapy and educational support alone proved insufficient
Initially responded well, but efficacy waned and her mother reported that Sophie was often ‘away with the fairies’ again
Further investigation revealed that Sophie doesn’t always take her MPH tablets as prescribed, as she sometimes gags when trying to swallow
Sophie and her mother made a real effort at the start of treatment, crushing tablets and mixing them with food, but maintaining that commitment has proved challenging
With Sophie’s agreement, her formulation was switched to MPH 2mg/ml oral solution, to better meet her ongoing needs

Fictional story – not actual patient

Tablet anxiety

Bella – increased ‘tablet anxiety’

Ten years old, currently receiving extended-release (ER) methylphenidate (MPH) therapy for her ADHD, having started treatment just over a year ago
Has not been an easy journey, as she also has autism spectrum disorder, with hypersensitivity that makes taking tablets very challenging
Finds that her ER MPH works well throughout the school day, but that efficacy tends to fade by the time she attends swimming practice after school
Doctor suggested top-up therapy with Immediate-release MPH, to help her in the early evening
Bella likes the idea of top-up therapy, but the prospect of having to take more tablets made her very anxious
Doctor noted Bella’s anxiety and was concerned that having to take additional tablets may compromise adherence to therapy
Doctor reassured Bella that MPH is available as an oral solution, so she will be able to have top-up treatment without having to take more tablets

Fictional story – not actual patient

Frequently asked questions

When can Methylphenidate Hydrochloride 2mg/ml oral solution be prescribed?

Methylphenidate Hydrochloride 2mg/ml oral solution is indicated as part of a comprehensive treatment programme for children with ADHD aged 6 years and over when remedial measures alone prove insufficient.¹ Treatment must be under the supervision of a specialist in childhood behavioural disorders.¹

Can adults take Methylphenidate Hydrochloride 2mg/ml oral solution for ADHD?

Methylphenidate Hydrochloride 2mg/ml oral solution is not currently licensed for use in adults.

Can patients be switched from methylphenidate tablets to Methylphenidate Hydrochloride 2mg/ml oral solution?

As Methylphenidate Hydrochloride (MPH) 2mg/ml oral solution and immediate release MPH 10mg tablets are bioequivalent, they can be directly switched at the discretion of a prescribing physician, as long as treatment is in accordance with the licensed indication.^1,2

Does Methylphenidate Hydrochloride 2mg/ml oral solution act faster than immediate release methylphenidate tablets?

There is no significant difference in the time that Methylphenidate Hydrochloride (MPH) 2mg/ml oral solution and MPH 10mg immediate release tablets take to work; they have the same pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profiles.^2,3

Does Methylphenidate Hydrochloride 2mg/ml oral solution contain artificial flavouring agents or sweeteners?

This medicine has no artificial flavouring agents or sweeteners, as the sorbitol component of the formulation provides sufficient sweetness for palatability.³

Can Methylphenidate Hydrochloride 2mg/ml oral solution be mixed with food?

This medicine can be given on an empty stomach, with food or after eating. Giving this medicine with food may help to stop patients from having stomach pains, feeling sick or being sick.⁴

What is the shelf-life of Methylphenidate Hydrochloride 2mg/ml oral solution?

This medicine can be stored unopened for 18 months from the date of manufacture, then for 30 days once opened.¹

Does Methylphenidate Hydrochloride 2mg/ml oral solution require refrigeration?

This medicine should be stored below 25^oC.¹ Refrigeration is therefore only required if room temperature exceeds 25^oC.

What does Methylphenidate Hydrochloride 2mg/ml oral solution taste like?

This medicine has a neutral to sweet taste.³ As the sorbitol component of the formulation provides adequate sweetness, the product has no artificial flavouring agents or sweeteners.

Related resources

Product information Pack

Comprehensive information about Methylphenidate Hydrochloride 2mg/ml oral solution, which can be used for completion of a formulary request....

Parent and Carer Leaflet

A quick reference guide to ADHD and its treatment, with specific information about Methylphenidate Hydrochloride 2mg/ml oral solution....

Administration Video

A short animation giving step-by-step instructions on how to administer Methylphenidate Hydrochloride 2mg/ml oral solution....

HCP Leaflet

A quick reference guide for Healthcare Professionals to prescribing Methylphenidate Hydrochloride 2mg/ml oral solution, including dosing and administration....

Patient Leaflet

A comic-style resource that helps children to understand their ADHD and its treatment with Methylphenidate Hydrochloride 2mg/ml oral solution....

UK-MPH-45a | December 2024

References

1. Methylphenidate Hydrochloride 2mg/ml oral solution Summary of Product Characteristics. Consilient Health Ltd. 2. Data on file, Module 2.5 – MPH OS bioequivalence to Ritalin 10mg tablets. Consilient Health Ltd – UK-MPH-83 June 2024. 3. Data on file, Methylphenidate Palatability Evaluation Assessment (10-2023), Consilient Health Ltd – UK-MPH-84 June 2024. 4. Methylphenidate Hydrochloride 2mg/ml oral solution Patient Information Leaflet. Consilient Health Ltd.