Regulations

• The active ingredients in medications that are manufactured and sold under more than one name must be identical. According to the United States Food and Drug Administration's Compliance Program Guidance Manual, CPG Sec. 400.600 Drugs - Declaration of Quantity of Active (CPG 7132.03), "Where expressed in both the metric and apothecary systems, statements of quantity or strength in the labeling of drug products shall utilize the exact equivalent."
  
  

Benefits

• Methylphenidate is more affordable than the brand names it is sold under.
  
  

Significance

• The generic form of methylphenidate is chemically identical to methylphenidate that is sold under brand names. Its empirical formula is C14H19NO2• HCl.
  
  

Considerations

• The United States FDA allows medications to contain different inactive ingredients. Individuals with allergies should be aware of the inactive ingredients in any medication that they consume to prevent allergic reactions.
  
  

History

• Methylphenidate was introduced to the market as a generic to methyln.
  
  

Warning

• Parents should monitor and dispense this medication to minor children to prevent them from selling it to their friends.