Methylphenidate is FDA-approved for the treatment of ADHD in adults and children 6 years and older. Additionally, methylphenidate serves as a second-line therapy for narcolepsy in adults. Off-label uses include cancer-related fatigue, refractory depression in older adults, apathy in patients with Alzheimer disease, and cognitive enhancement (eg, memory improvement); the efficacy of methylphenidate for these conditions is moderate at best.
