Ritalin

Ritalin is a brand name of a mild central nervous system stimulant known generically as methylphenidate. Scientists don’t understand the entire mechanism of how it works, but it increases brain levels of dopamine, a chemical involved with the motivational process.

For people with ADHD, stimulants have a desirable effect. Instead of making them more distractible and excitable, it improves their ability to concentrate and helps them to not engage in hyperactive or impulsive behaviors.

As with any medication for mental health or brain-related disorders, there are potential short- and long-term side effects to consider and discuss with your doctor.

Physicians prescribe Ritalin in immediate-release tablets and an oral solution. A prescribed dosage typically starts at 20 to 30 mg daily, and then your doctor may increase the dose over weekly intervals based on how effective it is at treating symptoms.

Ritalin also comes in an extended-release formulation, Ritalin LA. Half of the beads in each capsule contain a half dose of the immediate-release formula. The other half are delayed-release beads. Ritalin is also prescribed in another longer-acting formula, Ritalin-SR.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration also approved Ritalin to treat narcolepsy in adults, with an average daily dose of 20 to 30 mg.

Adults and Ritalin

Ritalin manufacturer Novartis says dosages should be individualized to one’s needs and responses because stimulants interact so differently in each person’s biology. The ideal dose of stimulant depends on how efficiently the medication gets absorbed in the GI tract, how well it passes the blood-brain barrier, and how well it gets metabolized.

You should work with your doctor to ensure your dose controls symptoms with the fewest side effects. For example, when a lower dose is appropriate in the judgment of a doctor or clinician, patients may begin treatment with Ritalin LA at 10 mg.

Children and Ritalin

Children under the age of 6 years shouldn’t take Ritalin. The typical starting dose for children over 6 is 5 mg once or twice a day, but your child’s pediatrician or clinician may increase the dosage until it reaches the appropriate level.

Talk to the prescribing doctor if your child experiences side effects. The doctor may assess and recommend adjusting the dosage. Don’t increase or decrease the dosage without consulting your doctor first.

Ritalin may cause changes in vision and cause dizziness or drowsiness. Don’t operate motor vehicles or other heavy machinery or do anything dangerous until you know how Ritalin affects you. Issues with the heart, blood vessels or blood pressure are among the infrequent but serious side effects of Ritalin.

The most common side effects in children are trouble sleeping and a loss of appetite. These side effects usually start within a few days of first taking the medication or after an elevation of a dose. They usually go away after a few days or weeks.

Common Side Effects of Ritalin

The most common side effects of Ritalin are an elevated heartbeat, loss of appetite and nausea or stomach pain in adults and children. Other less common side effects include chest pain, fever, joint pain, skin rash or hives.

Children may experience additional side effects, such as delayed growth. They’re more likely to experience moodiness and irritability than adults.

Serious Side Effects of Ritalin

Rare but severe Ritalin side effects include blood in the urine or stools, seizures, tics, unusual bleeding or bruising and obsessive-compulsive behaviors or psychosis. If any of these occur, alert your doctor, who will probably discontinue the drug and suggest an alternative medication.

Ritalin Warnings

Anyone with heart abnormalities or other serious health problems should also steer clear of Ritalin. At least one death from those populations was linked to central nervous system stimulants. Adults who have heart abnormalities or hypertension should also stay away from stimulants. If they take them, their doctor should monitor them closely.

Other groups that require close observation include people with a bipolar illness or psychosis and children who exhibit aggressive behavior.

Ritalin Interactions

Because Ritalin is a stimulant, people who take it shouldn’t mix it with other stimulant-type medications. Doing so may cause the central nervous system to overreact. Ritalin interactions vary between different prescription medications or over-the-counter drugs.

Even common substances such as alcohol, chocolate or decongestants may interact with and lead to an adverse reaction.

Because it comes down to personal experience, there is no better choice between Adderall vs. Ritalin. Doctors commonly prescribe Ritalin or Adderall for ADHD. Ritalin is the brand name for methylphenidate. Adderall is the brand name for amphetamine dextroamphetamine. Each person will have a biological preference for either amphetamine or methylphenidate.

Both drugs fall into the category of stimulants, which studies show work well for over 70% of adults and children prescribed either of these medications. In comparison, Ritalin works more quickly, but Adderall’s effects last longer.

Many alternatives to Ritalin exist for ADHD treatment. If Ritalin doesn’t ease your symptoms, your doctor may switch to another stimulant.

For people who don’t tolerate or respond to stimulants, doctors may prescribe a nonstimulant such as atomoxetine (Strattera). Research shows that alternative ADHD therapy, such as exercise, mindfulness, a healthy lifestyle, and some behavioral interventions, may assist with ADHD symptoms in some people.