Information for Parents of Children Prescribed Meflynate® XL (Methylphenidate Hydrochloride)
A general guide to treatment with Meflynate® XL.
Educational resource for parents and caregivers provided as a service by Flynn Pharma Ltd.
This leaflet should be used as a general guide to your child’s treatment with Meflynate® XL.
Please refer to the Patient Information Leaflet contained within the Meflynate® XL pack itself.
In the event that you have further questions relating to your child’s treatment that cannot be found within this leaflet or the pack Patient Information Leaflet, please ask your doctor or pharmacist.
What is ADHD?
ADHD is a medical condition thought to affect at least 3-9% of school-age children,1 making it one of the most common developmental disorders in children. Children with ADHD may find it unusually difficult to concentrate, to pay attention, to sit still, to follow directions and to control impulsive behaviour.
Whilst all young children are at times distractable, restless and oblivious to parents’ and teachers’ instructions, children with ADHD behave this way much more often than other children their age. In addition, their inability to settle down, focus and follow through on tasks makes it very hard for them to do what’s expected of them at school. It can also lead to conflict at home and difficulty getting along with peers.
What is Meflynate® XL?
Meflynate® XL is a medicine used for the treatment of ADHD in children aged 6 years and over as part of a comprehensive treatment programme. It is used only after treatments which do not involve medicine, such as counselling and behavioural therapy, and which have been insufficient. Treatment is always under the supervision of a specialist in childhood behavioural disorders.
How does the treatment work?
Methylphenidate, the active substance of Meflynate® XL, is thought to boost the levels of certain chemicals in the brain.2 In children with ADHD, methylphenidate acts to correct the imbalances of these chemicals, which are thought to cause behavioural problems such as inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity. Methylphenidate can help improve attention span, concentration and focus.
The medicine is given as part of a treatment programme, which usually includes:
• Psychological
• Educational
• Social therapy
How should you take Meflynate® XL?
Your child should always take this medicine exactly how your doctor has advised.
Typically, Meflynate® XL should be taken once daily in the morning and can be taken with or without food. The capsules can be swallowed whole or they can be opened and the contents sprinkled onto a small amount of soft food (e.g. apple sauce). In this case, the food should not be warmed as the temperature could impact the effects of the medication. The food and medicine mixture should be consumed immediately, in its entirety.3
Meflynate® XL capsules should not be crushed, chewed or divided.
How long does the treatment effect last?
Meflynate® XL is designed to last for up to 8 hours which is consistent with the school day.
If you notice that your child is having behavioural problems later in the day, or issues with disturbed sleep speak to your doctor and they can assess whether the dosage needs to be adjusted.
What are the side effects of Meflynate® XL?
With all medicines, there is a possibility of side effects. The most commonly occurring side effects of this medicine are decreased appetite, headache, feeling nervous, not being able to sleep, feeling sick and dry mouth. Refer to the Patient Information Leaflet inside the Meflynate® XL pack for a list of other possible side effects. If you have any concerns about unwanted side effects, please speak to your doctor.
Does the treatment need to be taken every day?
Yes, unless you have been advised otherwise by your doctor.
Reporting of side effects
If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse. This includes any possible side effects not listed in the package leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via the Yellow Card Scheme at https://yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk/
By reporting side effects, you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.
Support
ADDISS UK – Attention Deficit Disorder Information and Support Service
Helpline: 020 8952 2800
Email: info@addiss.co.uk
Web: www.addiss.co.uk
YoungMinds
Web: www.youngminds.org.uk
Related Resources
‘ART’ – the ADHD Referral Toolkit – is a primary care toolkit designed to improve the quality of ADHD referrals to secondary care. This resource is available to all UK primary care clinicians. In this video Dr Jeremy Mudunkotuwe, Consultant Psychiatrist, Surrey and Borders NHS Foundation Trust and Dr Nina Champaneri, Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist, in the Forward-Thinking Birmingham Crisis and Home Treatment Team provide information on the tool’s availability and its applicability for primary care.
A training resource for psychiatrists to facilitate identification of adult ADHD. Flynn Pharma, in conjunction with Virtual Health Shed, has developed 3D characters in a virtual environment to simulate interaction between the learner and a virtual patient or clinical virtual actor (avatar).
Despite its prevalence, ADHD in adults often goes unrecognised and remains under-diagnosed.
An Integrated Care Pathway document for the management of ADHD patients throughout their ADHD journey. Created in association with UK healthcare professionals to guide the patient journey through their ADHD diagnosis.
Tips leaflet for parents of children with ADHD affected by bullying. The leaflet discusses how to identify and deal with the impact of bullying.
Information for parents wanting to know more about ADHD and coordination difficulties. The leaflet describes Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) or dyspraxia and advises on referral, assessment and management.
This leaflet is a guide on safe driving, explaining ADHD and the risks, DVLA requirements, medication effects and tips on practical safety.
Tips on breakfast preparation, healthy diet and why it’s the most important meal of the day.
A short story which provides some useful insight into ADHD in girls. The book aims to improve self-esteem and confidence.
A fictional story about the importance of sleep aimed at children with ASD and ADHD aged 7 -11 years.
References
- National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, National Guidelines 87, ‘Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: diagnosis and management’ March 2018 (updated September 19).
- Methylphenidate: a medicine used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) - NHS (www.nhs.uk).
- Meflynate® XL, SmPC September 2023.
