Methylphenidate is a CNS stimulant approved for the treatment of narcolepsy and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. The drug is believed to bind the dopamine transporter in the presynaptic cell membrane, thereby blocking the reuptake of dopamine and causing an increase in extracellular dopamine levels.

Ritalinic acid is an inactive, major metabolite of methylphenidate, a schedule II drug in the United States commonly used as a psychostimulant drugs methylphenidate and ethylphenidate. The elimination half-life of methylphenidate is relatively short (approximately 2 hours); therefore it is also available in extended release (ER) forms. The main metabolite is ritalinic acid, and the methylphenidate metabolites are mostly excreted in urine.

Ritalinic acid is an inactive, major metabolite of methylphenidate, a schedule II drug in the United States commonly used as a psychostimulant drugs methylphenidate and ethylphenidate. The elimination half-life of methylphenidate is relatively short (approximately 2 hours); therefore it is also available in extended release (ER) forms. The main metabolite is ritalinic acid, and the methylphenidate metabolites are mostly excreted in urine.