Methylphenidate (Ritalin)

Introduction

  • Mechanism of action
    • inhibits the reuptake of norepinephrine (NE) and dopamine (DA) into presynaptic neurons
      • this increases the amount of NE and DA in the synaptic cleft thus stimulating postsynaptic neurons with NE and DA receptors
  • Clinical use 
    • Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) 
    • Narcolepsy