What it's used for
This medication is a central nervous system stimulant used for the treatment of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in patients 6 years of age and older.
Source: U.S. FDA-approved prescribing information (openFDA).
Typical dosing
For pediatric patients 6 to 12 years old, the recommended starting dosage is 39.2 mg/7.8 mg orally once daily in the morning, which may be adjusted after one week.
Dosing shown here is the general FDA-labeled range. Your prescribing clinician determines the exact dose, form, and schedule for you — this is not a substitute for medical advice.
Boxed warning / key safety info
This medication has a high potential for abuse and misuse, which can lead to substance use disorder, addiction, overdose, and death.
Common side effects
Side effects and risks include hypersensitivity, increased blood pressure, and elevated heart rate.
Covered strengths on the Tab $0 list
Covered at $0 with an active Tab membership when filled at a participating pharmacy nationwide or through mail order. A licensed clinician must prescribe the medication.
Related medications
Other mental health & focus medications covered at $0 with an active Tab membership.
Dexmethylphenidate dosage and administration
Pediatric Patients 6 to 12 years : Recommended starting dosage is 39.2 mg/7.8 mg orally once daily in the morning. Dosage may be increased to 52.3 mg/10.4 mg daily or decreased to 26.1 mg/5.2 mg daily after one week. Maximum recommended dosage is 52.3 mg/10.4 mg once daily. ( 2.2 ) Adults and Pediatric Patients 13 to 17 years: Recommended starting dosage is 39.2 mg/7.8 mg orally once daily in the morning. Increase the dosage after one week to 52.3 mg/10.4 mg once daily depending on response and tolerability. ( 2.2 ) Administer with or without food. ( 2.3 ) Swallow capsules whole or open and sprinkle onto applesauce or add to water. ( 2.3 ) To avoid substitution errors and overdosage, do not substitute for other methylphenidate products on a milligram-per-milligram basis.
Excerpt from the FDA-approved prescribing information (openFDA), retrieved 2026-09-15. Your prescribing clinician decides the exact dose, form and schedule for you — this is not medical advice.
Dexmethylphenidate side effects
The following are discussed in more detail in other sections of the labeling: Abuse, Misuse, and Addiction [see Boxed Warning, Warnings and Precautions (5.1) , and Drug Abuse and Dependence (9.2 , 9.3) ] Known hypersensitivity to methylphenidate or other ingredients of AZSTARYS [see Contraindications (4) ] Hypertensive Crisis with Concomitant Use of Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors [see Contraindications (4) ] Risks to Patients with Serious Cardiac Disease [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ] Increased Blood Pressure and Heart Rate [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3) ] Psychiatric Adverse Reactions [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4) ] Priapism [see Warnings and Precautions (5.5) ] Peripheral Vasculopathy, including Raynaud's Phenomenon [see Warnings and Precautions (5.6) ] Long-Term Suppression of Growth in Pediatric Patients [see Warnings and Precautions (5.7) ] Acute Angle Closure Glaucoma [see Warnings and Precautions (5.8) ] Increased Intraocular Pressure and Glaucoma [see Warnings and Precautions (5.9) ] Motor and Verbal Tics, and Worsening of Tourette’s Syndrome [see Warnings and Precautions (5.10) ] Based on accumulated data from other methylphenidate products, the most common (>5% and twice the rate of placebo) adverse reactions are appetite decreased, insomnia, nausea, vomiting, dyspepsia, abdominal pain, weight decreased, anxiety, dizziness, irritability, affect lability, tachycardia, and blood pressure increased.
Excerpt from the FDA-approved prescribing information (openFDA), retrieved 2026-09-15. This is not a complete list. Report side effects to your clinician, and seek care for anything severe or unexpected.
Dexmethylphenidate drug interactions
Antihypertensive Drugs: Monitor blood pressure. Adjust dosage of antihypertensive drug as needed. ( 7.1 ) 7.1 Clinically Important Interactions with AZSTARYS Table 1 presents clinically important drug interactions with AZSTARYS. Table 1: Clinically Important Drug Interactions with AZSTARYS Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs) Clinical Impact Concomitant use of MAOIs and CNS stimulants, including AZSTARYS, can cause hypertensive crisis. Potential outcomes include death, stroke, myocardial infarction, aortic dissection, ophthalmological complications, eclampsia, pulmonary edema, and renal failure [see Contraindications ( 4 )] .
Excerpt from the FDA-approved prescribing information (openFDA), retrieved 2026-09-15. Tell your clinician and pharmacist about every medication, supplement and over-the-counter product you take.
Who should not take dexmethylphenidate
AZSTARYS is contraindicated in patients: with known hypersensitivity to serdexmethylphenidate, methylphenidate, or other components of AZSTARYS. Bronchospasm, rash, and pruritus have been reported in patients who received AZSTARYS. Hypersensitivity reactions such as angioedema and anaphylactic reactions have been reported in patients treated with other methylphenidate products [see Adverse Reactions ( 6.2 )] . receiving concomitant treatment with monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), or within 14 days following discontinuation of treatment with an MAOI, because of the risk of hypertensive crisis [see Drug Interactions ( 7.1 )] . Known hypersensitivity to serdexmethylphenidate, methylphenidate, or product components. ( 4 ) Concurrent treatment with a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI), or use of an MAOI within the preceding 14 days. ( 4 )
Excerpt from the FDA-approved prescribing information (openFDA), retrieved 2026-09-15. Whether this medication is appropriate for you is a clinical decision made by your prescribing clinician.
Common questions
Is dexmethylphenidate covered at $0 with Tab?
Yes. Dexmethylphenidate is on Tab's covered $0 generic list — every covered strength is $0 with an active membership, at participating pharmacies nationwide or by mail order.
Do I need insurance to get dexmethylphenidate through Tab?
No. Tab is a membership, not insurance. Covered medications are $0 with an active membership whether or not you have a health plan.
What is the usual dose of dexmethylphenidate?
Pediatric Patients 6 to 12 years : Recommended starting dosage is 39.2 mg/7.8 mg orally once daily in the morning. Dosage may be increased to 52.3 mg/10.4 mg daily or decreased to 26.1 mg/5.2 mg daily after one week. Maximum recommended dosage is 52.3 mg/10.4 mg once daily. ( 2.2 ) Adults and Pediatric Patients 13 to 17 years: Recommended starting dosage is 39.2 mg/7.8 mg orally once daily in the morning. (FDA-approved label, retrieved 2026-09-15. Your clinician sets your dose.)
What are the side effects of dexmethylphenidate?
The following are discussed in more detail in other sections of the labeling: Abuse, Misuse, and Addiction [see Boxed Warning, Warnings and Precautions (5.1) , and Drug Abuse and Dependence (9.2 , 9.3) ] Known hypersensitivity to methylphenidate or other ingredients of AZSTARYS [see Contraindications (4) ] Hypertensive Crisis with Concomitant Use of Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors [see Contraindications (4) ] Risks to Patients with Serious Cardiac Disease [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ] Increased Blood Pressure and Heart Rate [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3) ] Psychiatric Adverse Reactions [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4) ] Priapism [see Warnings and Precautions (5.5) ] Peripheral Vasculopathy, including Raynaud's Phenomenon [see Warnings and Precautions (5.6) ] Long-Term Suppression of Growth in Pediatric Patients [see Warnings and Precautions (5.7) ] Acute Angle Closure Glaucoma [see Warnings and Precautions (5.8) ] Increased Intraocular Pressure and Glaucoma [see Warnings and Precautions (5.9) ] Motor and Verbal Tics, and Worsening of Tourette’s Syndrome [see Warnings and Precautions (5.10) ] Based on accumulated data from other methylphenidate products, the most common (>5% and twice the rate of placebo) adverse reactions are appetite decreased, insomnia, nausea, vomiting, dyspepsia, abdominal pain, weight decreased, anxiety, dizziness, irritability, affect lability, tachycardia, and blood pressure increased. (FDA-approved label, retrieved 2026-09-15.)
What interacts with dexmethylphenidate?
Antihypertensive Drugs: Monitor blood pressure. Adjust dosage of antihypertensive drug as needed. ( 7.1 ) 7.1 Clinically Important Interactions with AZSTARYS Table 1 presents clinically important drug interactions with AZSTARYS. (FDA-approved label, retrieved 2026-09-15. Tell your clinician about every medication and supplement you take.)
Dexmethylphenidate is $0 on the covered list
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