Canadian Journal of Anesthesia, Vol 8, 257-264, Copyright © 1961 by Canadian Anesthesiologists' Society

Postoperative Administration of Methylphenidate

¹ Associate Chief of Anaesthesia, Women's College Hospital, Toronto

Methylphenidate (Ritalin®) has been studied in relation to its stimulant effect after anaesthesia. A control series was established by a double blind method of administration. A total of 294 patients were observed in the recovery room; 174 received methylphenidate and 120 normal saline. These patients had had only minor operations. On arrival in the recovery room, the blood pressure was recorded, a spirometer recording made, and then the patient received 1 c.c. of the unknown solution. The time of injection was noted carefully, and also the awakening time. A second recording was made with the spirometer 15 min. after the first one, whether the patient was awake or not. Analysis of the results indicated that there was no significant decrease in the awakening time of the methylphenidate series, but that the degree of respiratory stimulation due to the drug was statistically significant. Blood pressure changes were minimal and of no importance. Psychomotor stimulation occurred in both groups, but slightly more in the treated group than in the controls. Three depressed newborn infants responded to intramuscular injections of methylphenidate after the routine methods of resuscitation had failed to produce satisfactory results.