Metilfenidato
Methylphenidate
Methylphenidate Hydrochloride
También conocido como: Concerta · Metadate · Methylin · Daytrana · Focalin · Equasym · Attenta · Rilatine · Riphenidate · Ritalina · Ritaline · Ritaphen · Rubifen · Tranquilyn
Revisado por el equipo veterinario de VetSheetActualizado 5 abr 2026Referencia veterinaria basada en la evidencia
Las dosis son una referencia clínica para profesionales veterinarios autorizados. Confirme siempre con el prospecto actual y cada paciente individual.
Dosis por especie
🌎 NA — North America🌍 EU — Europe
Perros
| Indicación | Dosis | Vía | Frecuencia | Duración | Región |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Treatment of narcolepsy/cataplexy | 5-10 mg (total dose) | PO | once daily | — | 🌎 NA |
| Treatment of narcolepsy/cataplexy (to supplement imipramine) | 0.25-0.5 mg/kg or 5-10 mg (total dose) | PO | q12-24h | — | 🌎 NA |
| Diagnosis and treatment of hyperkinesis | 5-20 mg (total dose) | PO | q8-12h | 3 days | 🌎 NA |
| Hyperkinesis-hyperactivity | Small dogs: 5+ mg total dose; Large Dogs: 20-40 mg total dose | PO | q12h | — | 🌎 NA |
- Treatment of narcolepsy/cataplexy (to supplement imipramine): Used to supplement imipramine given at 0.5-1 mg/kg PO q8-12h
- Diagnosis and treatment of hyperkinesis: Give for 3 days and assess for improvement of target behaviors (anxiety, overactivity, learning ability)
Las dosis son una referencia clínica para profesionales veterinarios autorizados. Confirme siempre con el prospecto actual y cada paciente individual.
Resumen
El metilfenidato es un estimulante del sistema nervioso central (SNC) que está estructural y farmacológicamente relacionado con las anfetaminas. En medicina veterinaria, se utiliza principalmente fuera de indicación (off-label) para el diagnóstico y manejo de la narcolepsia/cataplejía y la hipercinesia (hiperactividad) en perros.
Más allá de sus efectos sobre el SNC, posee una actividad simpaticomimética débil, pero generalmente tiene un impacto mínimo en la circulación periférica a dosis terapéuticas estándar.
Perla Clínica: Debido a que el metilfenidato es una sustancia controlada de Lista II (C-II) en los EE. UU., conlleva regulaciones estrictas de prescripción y un riesgo significativo de desvío y abuso por parte de humanos. Los veterinarios deben ejercer las precauciones legales y éticas adecuadas al dispensarlo.
Mecanismo de acción
Methylphenidate acts primarily as a norepinephrine-dopamine reuptake inhibitor (NDRI).
- It binds to and blocks the dopamine transporter (DAT) and norepinephrine transporter (NET) on presynaptic neurons.
- Blockade of these transporters → prevents the reuptake of monoamines → increases the concentration of dopamine and norepinephrine in the extraneuronal space (synaptic cleft).
- This amplified monoamine signaling in the brainstem arousal system and cerebral cortex leads to increased alertness, focus, and CNS stimulation.
Seguridad y advertencias
Contraindicaciones
- Seizure disorders
- Cardiac disease or hypertension
- Aggressive animals
Efectos adversos
- Tachycardia (increased heart rate)
- Tachypnea (increased respiratory rate)
- Anorexia
- Tremors
- Hyperthermia (particularly exercise-induced)
Precauciones
Use with extreme caution in dogs with pre-existing seizure disorders, cardiac disease, hypertension, or those exhibiting aggressive behavior. Methylphenidate is a Class-II controlled substance with a high potential for human abuse; prescribe and dispense with strict adherence to controlled substance regulations.
Interacciones farmacológicas
Methylphenidate may increase serum levels of these anticonvulsants
Rare cases of cardiovascular effects (including death) reported in humans; mechanism unknown
Methylphenidate may reduce the efficacy of hypotensive effects
Concurrent use could lead to a severe hypertensive crisis
Methylphenidate may inhibit SSRI metabolism and increase their serum levels
Methylphenidate may inhibit TCA metabolism and increase their serum levels
Methylphenidate may inhibit warfarin metabolism and increase INR
Monitorización
- Clinical efficacy (improvement in target behaviors or narcoleptic episodes)
- Vital signs (heart rate, respiratory rate)
- Body weight (monitor for anorexia/weight loss)
- Periodic CBC with differential and platelet counts (recommended during prolonged therapy based on human guidelines)
Farmacocinética
Vida media
Absorción
Dogs: Immediate-release tablets peak in ~15 minutes. Sustained-release tablets peak in ~30 minutes but with much lower peak concentrations. Humans: Rapidly and well absorbed from the GI tract; food may increase the rate but not the extent of absorption. Peak levels occur ~2 hours post-dose.
Distribución
Humans: Protein binding is low.
Metabolismo
Humans: Extensively metabolized during the first-pass effect.
Eliminación
Humans: Less than 1% is excreted unchanged in the urine. Clearance in dogs is rapid (0.27 L/hr for IR, 0.97 L/hr for SR).
Sobredosis
Toxicity can occur at relatively low doses in veterinary patients.
- Dogs: Doses of 1 mg/kg (or below) can cause toxic reactions. One fatality was reported at 3.1 mg/kg, though research dogs have survived 20 mg/kg/day for 90 days.
- Cats: A 5 mg tablet caused severe toxicity (tremors, agitation, mydriasis, tachycardia, tachypnea, hypertension) which resolved after 25 hours with supportive care.
Clinical Signs of Overdose: Primarily CNS over-stimulation and excessive sympathomimetic effects: hyperactivity, salivation, diarrhea, head bobbing, agitation, tachycardia, hypertension, tremors, seizures, and hyperthermia.
Treatment:
- Decontamination: Standard gut detoxification (emesis, activated charcoal, cathartic). Avoid emesis if the animal is already symptomatic due to seizure/aspiration risks.
- Supportive Care:
- Phenothiazines (e.g., acepromazine, chlorpromazine) to control agitation.
- Beta-blockers to manage severe tachycardia.
- External cooling for hyperthermia.
- Cyproheptadine may be administered to help prevent or treat serotonin syndrome.
Productos disponibles
Formulaciones
- Oral tablets
- Chewable tablets
- Extended-release tablets
- Extended-release capsules
- Oral solution
- Transdermal patch
Etiquetado para humanos
- Methylphenidate Oral Tablets: 5 mg, 10 mg & 20 mg
- Chewable Tablets: 2.5 mg, 5 mg & 10 mg
- Extended-Release Tablets: 10 mg, 18 mg, 20 mg, 27 mg, 36 mg & 54 mg
- Extended-Release Capsules: 20 mg, 30 mg, 40 mg, 50 mg & 60 mg
- Methylphenidate Oral Solution: 5 mg/5 mL & 10 mg/5 mL
- Methylphenidate Transdermal Patch: 10 mg/9 h, 15 mg/9 h, 20 mg/9 h & 30 mg/9 h
Estado regulador
Sin datos reguladores para: 🇺🇸 US · 🇪🇺 EU · 🇬🇧 UK · 🇭🇰 HK · 🇹🇼 TW · 🇯🇵 JP · 🇰🇷 KR · 🇦🇺 AU
Almacenamiento y estabilidad
Unless otherwise noted on the label, methylphenidate tablets and extended-release tablets/capsules should be stored in tight, light-resistant containers at room temperature.
Información para el cliente
- Almacenamiento seguro: Este medicamento es una sustancia controlada con un alto potencial de abuso humano. Manténgalo almacenado de forma segura en un gabinete bajo llave o en un lugar seguro.
- Administración: Si a su mascota se le receta una tableta o cápsula de liberación prolongada, no la triture ni la mastique; debe administrarse entera.
- Monitoreo: Observe a su mascota de cerca para detectar signos de sobreestimulación, como taquicardia, respiración rápida, inquietud, temblores o pérdida de apetito. Informe cualquiera de estos signos a su veterinario de inmediato.
La referencia de medicamentos de VetSheet está destinada a profesionales veterinarios autorizados como ayuda para la toma de decisiones clínicas, no como sustituto del criterio profesional ni del prospecto actual del fabricante.