Ethylphenidate Facts
Stimulant;
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
- Perception
- none likely · 6 possible
- 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
- Call emergency services for chest pain, overheating, seizure, or unresponsiveness
- Move them to a cool, quiet place and reduce stimulation
- Cool the body — remove excess clothing, apply cool damp cloths, fan them
- Keep them calm; reassure — panic worsens the cardiovascular strain
- If seizing, protect from injury (don't restrain); recovery position afterward
- 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