What are the effects of age, various storage conditions, and other
environmental variables on the drug methylphenidate, also known as
Ritalin?  In other words, does age or exposure to high temperature
(for example) make methylphenidate/Ritalin tablets less potent?  Or,
on the other hand, is methylphenidate/Ritalin especially resistant to
certain environmental factors, such as (for example) humidity?

I know that Ritalin is one of the few drugs where the brand name
product is better than the generics.  The generics often vary in
potency from lot to lot, while brand-name Ritalin is as potent as the
most potent generics.  Further, brand-name Ritalin doesn't vary in
potency from lot to lot.

So please describe the sensitivity of methylphenidate/Ritalin to
changes or age during storage.

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Clarification of Question by nickayune-ga on 21 Aug 2005 17:36 PDT

An especially good answer would describe the differences, if any, of
the storage stability of generic methylphenidate as opposed to
name-brand Ritalin.

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Clarification of Question by nickayune-ga on 22 Aug 2005 13:54 PDT

Come on, fearless researchers--you really can't answer this?

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Request for Question Clarification by missy-ga on 22 Aug 2005 16:13 PDT

Hi Nickayune!

I'm looking, I'm looking!  The information seems hard to come by, but
I'm sure one of us will ferret it out for you.

I beg your patience, please!

--Missy

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Clarification of Question by nickayune-ga on 22 Aug 2005 17:42 PDT

PLEASE note my response to Officer_Bob's comment, below. 
Officer_Bob's answer, though quite thorough, was not satisfactory.

And okay, fearless researchers, please take the time you need!

Specific lifespan of the drug depends more upon the stabilizing agents
than anything else.  The active ingredient in methylphenidate is
fairly unstable.  In looking at the molecular structure, I wouldn't
let anyone I know put this into their bodies.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Methylphenidate

This molecule will quickly break down in energetic environments
especially if there is a non-inert agent present.  Heat, EM radiation,
and particulate radiation will obviously have the largest effect if
the chemical is in the presence of water vapor.


Each drug has a shelf live that depends on the drug and the
stabilizing agents.  The was the FDA determines how to set is briefed
here:

http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa3899/is_200210/ai_n9119364/pg_1

Also looking at the chemical structure, I wouldn't be amazed if the
breakdown residues are carcinogenic.  This is some really nasty stuff.
 Decide to use it very carefully.


Q:What are the effects of age, various storage conditions, and other
environmental variables on the drug methylphenidate, also known as
Ritalin?
A: the more heat, light and moisture the drug receives, the quicker it
will breakdown.  Upon breaking down, the resulting chemicals are ones
that you don't want in you.

Q:In other words, does age or exposure to high temperature (for
example) make methylphenidate/Ritalin tablets less potent?
A:It will make it less potent and perhaps carcinogenic.

Q:Or,on the other hand, is methylphenidate/Ritalin especially resistant to
certain environmental factors, such as (for example) humidity?
A:No it is not.  The long name is methyl a-phenyl-2-piperi-dylacetate.
 Outside of the fairly stable carbon ring, this stuff loves to react
with the outside world.  For the longest practical lifespan store this
in a cool dry space.  For truly optimal lifespan store this in a pure
nitrogen atmosphere, radiation hardened environment just above the
freezing point of alcohol.

Once again, this is nasty stuff.  I don't understand how it can do
what it does (which scares me more than a little) and when it breaks
down, it can hurt you.  If there are alternatives, stay away

There is some good information, some not-useful information, and some
extraneous information in this comment.  Thank you, Officer_Bob!

1.  If lifespan depends upon the "stabilizing agents," (and are those
the same as the excipients?) what are they, both in Ritalin and in
generic methylphenidate, and what information do we have about how
they interact with methylphenidate?

2.  Yes, I know that energetic environments and the presence of water
contribute to breakdown of unstable compounds.  Heat, radiation, and
water are, of course, all good for breaking down medicine.  The
question is, however, is Ritalin significantly MORE susceptible to
this sort of breakdown than other drugs?  I store all my medicine in a
cool dry place, but I only have this problem with
Ritalin/methylphenidate.

The key here is whether Ritalin/methylphenidate differs from other
pharmaceuticals (and how); and whether Ritalin differs, in turn, from
methylphenidate.

3.  I appreciate your comments about my well-being.  I assure you that
I take the drug as prescribed and that it is necessary for my health.