The principle urinary metabolite of methylphenidate is an inactive metabolite called ritalinic acid. 80% of a dose of methylphenidate is metabolised to ritalinic acid in a 24 hour period.
Methylphenidate is used for the treatment of depression, narcolepsy and attention deficient hyperactivity syndrome.
The drug is known to be abused. The pharmacologic effects are the same as those of the amphetamines. Intranasal abuse has been reported to give effects similar to cocaine due to the rapid release of synaptic dopamine.
Emails to
chemicalpathologist@adhb.govt.nz
will receive priority attention from the on-call chemical pathologist.
If the query concerns a specific patient please include the NHI number in your email.
If email is not a suitable option, please contact the on-call chemical pathologist via
Lablink (Auckland City Hospital ext. 22000 or 09-3078995).
Individual chemical pathologists may be contacted but will not be available at all times.
After-hours
: contact
Lablink (Auckland City Hospital ext. 22000 or 09-3078995) or hospital operator for on duty staff after hours.
Dr Samarina Musaad
(Clinical Lead)
:
SamarinaM@adhb.govt.nz
ext. 22402
Dr Cam Kyle:
CampbellK@adhb.govt.nz
ext 22052
Dr Weldon Chiu:
WeldonC@adhb.govt.nz
ext. 23427
Dr Campbell Heron:
CHeron@adhb.govt.nz
ext. 23427
Dr Sakunthala Jayasinghe:
Sakunthala@adhb.govt.nz
ext. 23427