Methylphenidate is a nervous system stimulant commonly used to treatattention deficit hyperactivity disorder(ADHD) and narcolepsy.Marketing under several brand names, the drug is best known in the U.S. as Ritalin. When used as directed, methylphenidate can provide a person greater focus for a short period of time and even help control appetite in people who are dangerously obese.
On the street, the drug is commonly referred to as vitamin R, R-ball, pineapple, and skippy.
Students have been known to use methylphenidate to stay up late to study for exams. It is a practice that can lead to addiction, a problem which often requires treatment at a drug rehabilitation center.
Excretion of Methylphenidate
The length of time that methylphenidate is detectable in the body is dependent on several variables, including which type of drug test is being used and which formulation of the drug is being taken. There are both immediate-release and extended-release forms of methylphenidate on the market, the latter of which remains in the body longer.Both are excreted primarily in urine.
Methylphenidate has a relatively shorthalf-life(1 to 4 hours) and doesn’t have the tendency to accumulate in cells the way that some other drugs do. However, elimination is highly variable, with some people excreting 97% of the drug over 1 to 2 days while others excrete as little as 78% over the same time frame.
Estimated Detection WindowsThe following provides an estimate of the detection window based on the various drug screening methods:Blood-based screen: not commonly used for drug screeningHair-based analysis: detectable in follicles for up to 90 daysSaliva-based screen: one to three daysUrine-based screen: one to three days
Estimated Detection Windows
The following provides an estimate of the detection window based on the various drug screening methods:Blood-based screen: not commonly used for drug screeningHair-based analysis: detectable in follicles for up to 90 daysSaliva-based screen: one to three daysUrine-based screen: one to three days
The following provides an estimate of the detection window based on the various drug screening methods:
Other Reasons for Drug Testing
Blood-based tests are mainly used to determine if a person taking the drug for medical reasons is being prescribed the proper dosage. To this end, blood will be drawn 1 to 2 hours after a dose is taken. This allows time for the blood concentration levels to peak. Based on the findings, a doctor can decide if the dosage needs adjusting to achieve the desired therapeutic effect.
How Ritalin Can Be Addictive
4 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Methylphenidate. U.S. National Library of Medicine. Revised July 15, 2019.Huang Y, Tsai M.Long-Term Outcomes with Medications for Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.CNS Drugs. 2011;25(7):539-554. doi:10.2165/11589380-000000000-00000Wilens T, Zulauf C, Martelon M, et al.Nonmedical stimulant use in college students: association with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and other disorders.J Clin Psychiatry. 2016;77(07):940-947. doi:10.4088/JCP.14m09559Breindahl T, Hindersson P.Methylphenidate is Distinguished from Amphetamine in Drug-of-Abuse Testing.J Anal Toxicol. 2012;36(7):538-539. doi:10.1093/jat/bks056
4 Sources
Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Methylphenidate. U.S. National Library of Medicine. Revised July 15, 2019.Huang Y, Tsai M.Long-Term Outcomes with Medications for Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.CNS Drugs. 2011;25(7):539-554. doi:10.2165/11589380-000000000-00000Wilens T, Zulauf C, Martelon M, et al.Nonmedical stimulant use in college students: association with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and other disorders.J Clin Psychiatry. 2016;77(07):940-947. doi:10.4088/JCP.14m09559Breindahl T, Hindersson P.Methylphenidate is Distinguished from Amphetamine in Drug-of-Abuse Testing.J Anal Toxicol. 2012;36(7):538-539. doi:10.1093/jat/bks056
Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Methylphenidate. U.S. National Library of Medicine. Revised July 15, 2019.Huang Y, Tsai M.Long-Term Outcomes with Medications for Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.CNS Drugs. 2011;25(7):539-554. doi:10.2165/11589380-000000000-00000Wilens T, Zulauf C, Martelon M, et al.Nonmedical stimulant use in college students: association with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and other disorders.J Clin Psychiatry. 2016;77(07):940-947. doi:10.4088/JCP.14m09559Breindahl T, Hindersson P.Methylphenidate is Distinguished from Amphetamine in Drug-of-Abuse Testing.J Anal Toxicol. 2012;36(7):538-539. doi:10.1093/jat/bks056
Methylphenidate. U.S. National Library of Medicine. Revised July 15, 2019.
Huang Y, Tsai M.Long-Term Outcomes with Medications for Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.CNS Drugs. 2011;25(7):539-554. doi:10.2165/11589380-000000000-00000
Wilens T, Zulauf C, Martelon M, et al.Nonmedical stimulant use in college students: association with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and other disorders.J Clin Psychiatry. 2016;77(07):940-947. doi:10.4088/JCP.14m09559
Breindahl T, Hindersson P.Methylphenidate is Distinguished from Amphetamine in Drug-of-Abuse Testing.J Anal Toxicol. 2012;36(7):538-539. doi:10.1093/jat/bks056
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