Learn about Jornay PM drug interactions — which medications to avoid, which need monitoring, and what to tell your doctor before starting.
Jornay PM (methylphenidate) is an effective ADHD medication, but like all prescription drugs, it can interact with other medications. Some interactions are dangerous. Others just require extra monitoring from your doctor.
Before starting Jornay PM, it's important to give your doctor a complete list of everything you take — including prescription medications, over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, and supplements. This guide explains the most important interactions to know about.
These combinations can be life-threatening. Do not take Jornay PM with these medications:
This is the most serious drug interaction with Jornay PM. Taking methylphenidate with an MAOI — or within 14 days of stopping an MAOI — can cause a hypertensive crisis (a sudden, dangerous spike in blood pressure that can lead to stroke or death).
MAOIs include:
If you've taken an MAOI in the last 14 days, do not start Jornay PM. Tell your doctor immediately.
If you're having surgery that uses certain anesthetics (like halothane, sevoflurane, or desflurane), there's a risk of sudden blood pressure increases during the procedure.
Tell your surgeon and anesthesiologist that you take Jornay PM well before any planned surgery. Your doctor may advise you to stop taking it before the procedure.
These combinations aren't necessarily off-limits, but your doctor should know about them and may need to adjust doses or monitor you more closely.
Methylphenidate can raise blood pressure, which may reduce the effectiveness of blood pressure medications. If you take medication for high blood pressure, your doctor should monitor your blood pressure regularly after starting Jornay PM and may need to adjust your antihypertensive dose.
Methylphenidate may increase the blood levels of warfarin (Coumadin), potentially increasing the risk of bleeding. If you take warfarin, your doctor should monitor your INR (a measure of blood clotting) more frequently after starting or adjusting Jornay PM.
Methylphenidate may increase blood levels of certain anti-seizure medications, including:
If you take any of these, your doctor should monitor your drug levels and watch for signs of toxicity after starting Jornay PM.
Methylphenidate may increase the blood levels of tricyclic antidepressants such as:
This can increase the risk of side effects from the antidepressant. Your doctor may need to lower the TCA dose.
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) are commonly prescribed alongside ADHD medications for depression or anxiety. However, combining them with methylphenidate may increase the risk of serotonin syndrome — a rare but potentially serious condition.
Common SSRIs and SNRIs include:
Signs of serotonin syndrome include agitation, confusion, rapid heart rate, high blood pressure, dilated pupils, muscle twitching, and high fever. Seek emergency medical care if you experience these symptoms.
Many people safely take an SSRI or SNRI with methylphenidate under medical supervision. Just make sure your doctor knows about all your medications.
Avoid alcohol while taking Jornay PM. There are two reasons:
Your safest option is to avoid alcohol entirely while taking Jornay PM. If you have questions, talk to your doctor.
Caffeine isn't listed as a formal drug interaction, but it's worth mentioning. Both caffeine and methylphenidate are stimulants. Combining them can increase:
You don't necessarily need to cut out caffeine completely, but be mindful of how much you're consuming. If you notice increased anxiety, heart racing, or trouble sleeping, try reducing your caffeine intake.
Some common OTC medications can interact with Jornay PM:
Always check with your pharmacist before taking any new OTC medication while on Jornay PM.
Give your doctor a complete picture by sharing:
It's also a good idea to use one pharmacy for all your medications. Pharmacists check for drug interactions automatically, and having everything at one pharmacy makes this screening more effective.
If you're currently taking a medication on this list, don't panic — and don't stop taking either medication on your own. Many of these interactions can be managed with:
Talk to your doctor. They'll weigh the benefits and risks and help you make the best decision. For a general overview of Jornay PM, see What Is Jornay PM?, and for side effect information, read our side effects guide.
Drug interactions with Jornay PM are manageable — but only if your doctor knows about everything you're taking. The most critical rule: never take Jornay PM with an MAOI or within 14 days of stopping one.
For everything else, open communication with your doctor and pharmacist is key. Keep an updated medication list, ask questions, and don't start or stop any medication without checking with your healthcare team first.
If you have a prescription for Jornay PM and need help finding it in stock, MedFinder can help you locate a pharmacy near you.
You focus on staying healthy. We'll handle the rest.
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