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Ethylphenidate Facts

Stimulant; Phenidate; Dopamine reuptake inhibitor

Dose and durationby route · individual sensitivity varies

Oral(mg)
Threshold< 10 mgLight20 – 40 mgCommon40 – 80 mgStrong80 – 120 mgHeavy120+ mg

Starts in 40 – 120 minLasts 4 – 7 hoursAfter-effects 2 – 6 hours

Also recorded: Rectal. See full page: psychedex.org/substances/ethylphenidate

Body and dependence

Acute toxicity
Moderate
Chronic toxicity
Moderate
Physical dependence
Low
Psychological dependence
Moderate
Withdrawal
Mild
Compulsive redosing
High

Tolerance

Builds
Moderate
Fully resets after
10.5 days
Carries over to
methylphenidate; amphetamine; cocaine; dopaminergic stimulants

Effectslikely at a common dose

Body
Stimulation; Wakefulness; +26 possible, including Vasoconstriction, Heart rate perception changes, Insomnia
Thinking
none likely · 19 possible, including Compulsive redosing urge, Decision impairment
Feeling
none likely · 9 possible, including Anxiety, Paranoia, Depression
Self
none likely · 7 possible, including Craving, Ego inflation
Awareness
One-pointedness (ekaggata); Sustained attention (vicara); +1 possible

Who shouldn't take it

Absolute
Cardiovascular disease; Uncontrolled hypertension; Cardiac arrhythmia history; Pregnancy and lactation; MAOI co-administration; Tramadol co-administration
Relative
MDMA co-administration; Seizure disorder; Uncontrolled thyroid disease

Combinations62 recorded

Lethal (2)
Ibogaine; Tramadol
Dangerous (32)
Alpha-2 adrenergic receptor antagonist; Amphetamines; Benzodiazepines, Barbiturates; Ephedrine, Pseudoephedrine; Local anesthetics; MAOIs; MDMA, Amphetamines; MDMA, MDA; NDRIs (Wellbutrin); NRIs; Opioids; Stimulants; Anticholinergics; Antipsychotics; Buspirone; Caffeine; Clonidine, Guanfacine; Dopamine agonists; DXM; GHB, Baclofen; GHB, GBL; Ketamine, DXM, PCP; Lithium; NSAIDs; and 8 more, see full page
Caution (25)
See full page: psychedex.org/substances/ethylphenidate
Not graded (3)
Not listed never means safe.

Seek help immediately if

  • Chest pain; racing, pounding, or irregular heartbeat
  • Very high body temperature; heavy sweating; hot, flushed skin
  • Severe agitation, paranoia, panic, or confusion
  • Severe headache; muscle rigidity or twitching
  • Seizures
  • Signs of stroke — face drooping, one-sided weakness, slurred speech
  • Difficulty breathing; collapse or unconsciousness

What to do

  1. Call emergency services for chest pain, overheating, seizure, or unresponsiveness
  2. Move them to a cool, quiet place and reduce stimulation
  3. Cool the body — remove excess clothing, apply cool damp cloths, fan them
  4. Keep them calm; reassure — panic worsens the cardiovascular strain
  5. If seizing, protect from injury (don't restrain); recovery position afterward
  6. Monitor breathing and be ready to give rescue breaths / CPR

Most stimulant overdoses settle with cooling, a calm environment, and time. The medical danger is hyperthermia, cardiac events (arrhythmia, heart attack, stroke), and seizures — get help immediately if any appear.

988 Suicide & Crisis LifelineFireside Project: 62-FIRESIDE

psychedex.org/substances/ethylphenidate · Version r1 · Not medical adviceValues as of
On the printout