Before taking Ritalin, a person should talk with their doctor about possible side effects and whether Ritalin is the right choice for them. For people with cardiac problems, a history of seizures, or those prone to anxiety, Ritalin might make matters worse.
A person who receives a prescription for Ritalin should make regular appointments to see their doctor every few months. Assess the risk of abuse prior to prescribing, and monitor for signs of abuse and dependence while on therapy. Please note that this is not a comprehensive list of all the serious side effects.
Ritalin can suppress growth in children and adolescents, particularly in the first few years of taking the drug. A doctor will monitor the height and weight of young people taking Ritalin. If a person experiences numbness in the fingers or toes, they should contact a doctor immediately. Stimulant drugs like Ritalin can be addictive and, if misused, can have long-term mental health consequences. Prescribed doses are very unlikely to lead to dependency. Taking more than the prescribed dose of Ritalin can also put pressure on the heart, nervous system, and immune system, leading to long-term health complications.
In rare cases, Ritalin might trigger an allergic reaction. The most common signs to look out for include:. Ritalin is not approved for recreational use, and it is illegal to take or possess the substance without a prescription. If a person is using Ritalin recreationally, or more often than their doctor prescribes, this could be a sign of abuse and dependence. Some people do take Ritalin recreationally for its stimulating effect. It can give the user a temporary feeling of alertness and energy.
It can also lead them to feel overconfident and remove inhibitions, which could lead to risky behavior. A pharmaceutical company first marketed methylphenidate as Ritalin in Since then, it has proven safe for most people as a treatment for ADHD and other conditions.
One review looked at studies into the long-term behavioral effects associated with Ritalin use. The review found no reliable evidence that Ritalin affects behavior long-term.
When a person takes Ritalin alongside other medications, it can be dangerous. According to the package insert , Ritalin interacts with the following drugs:. Before taking Ritalin, a person should tell their doctor or pharmacist about other medications they are taking.
The doctor or pharmacist can advise about possible interactions with Ritalin. Anyone who receives a prescription for Ritalin will need to regularly visit a doctor or other healthcare professional to review their medication needs. As Ritalin is a tightly controlled medication, a person will need a new prescription from a doctor each time. If the medication loses its effects or has undesirable side effects, a person should tell their doctor.
Do not store the mixture for future use. If you are taking the long-acting chewable tablet Quillichew ER and your doctor has told you to take part of the tablet to get the correct amount of your dose, break the 20 mg or 30 mg long-acting chewable tablet carefully along the lines that have been scored into it. However, the 40 mg long-acting chewable tablet is not scored and cannot be divided or split.
Your doctor may start you on a low dose of methylphenidate and gradually increase your dose, not more often than once every week. Your condition should improve during your treatment.
Call your doctor if your symptoms worsen at any time during your treatment or do not improve after 1 month. Your doctor may tell you to stop taking methylphenidate from time to time to see if the medication is still needed. Follow these directions carefully. Some methylphenidate products may not be able to be substituted for another. Ask your pharmacist if you have any questions about the type of methylphenidate product your doctor has prescribed.
This medication may be prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information. Take the missed dose as soon as you remember it. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about how late in the day you should take a missed dose of your medication so that it will not cause difficulty in falling asleep or staying asleep. However, if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule.
If you are taking the long-acting capsule Jornay PM , take the missed dose as soon as you remember it that night. However, if it is already the next morning, skip the missed dose of the long-acting capsule Jornay PM and continue your regular dosing schedule.
Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one. Methylphenidate may slow children's growth or weight gain. Your child's doctor will watch his or her growth carefully. Talk to your child's doctor if you have concerns about your child's growth or weight gain while he or she is taking this medication. Talk to your child's doctor about the risks of giving methylphenidate to your child.
Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature, away from light and excess heat and moisture not in the bathroom. Store methylphenidate in a safe place so that no one else can take it accidentally or on purpose. Keep track of how many tablets or capsules or how much liquid is left so you will know if any medication is missing.
Unneeded medications should be disposed of in special ways to ensure that pets, children, and other people cannot consume them. However, you should not flush this medication down the toilet. Instead, the best way to dispose of your medication is through a medicine take-back program. It is important to keep all medication out of sight and reach of children as many containers such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers are not child-resistant and young children can open them easily.
To protect young children from poisoning, always lock safety caps and immediately place the medication in a safe location — one that is up and away and out of their sight and reach. In case of overdose, call the poison control helpline at If the victim has collapsed, had a seizure, has trouble breathing, or can't be awakened, immediately call emergency services at If you are taking methylphenidate long-acting tablets Concerta , you may notice something that looks like a tablet in your stool.
This is just the empty tablet shell, and this does not mean that you did not get your complete dose of medication. Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory.
Your doctor may check your blood pressure and heart rate and order certain lab tests to check your response to methylphenidate. This prescription is not refillable. Be sure to schedule appointments with your doctor on a regular basis so that you do not run out of medication.
It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription over-the-counter medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.
Generic alternatives may be available. Methylphenidate pronounced as meth'' il fen' i date. Ritalin should only be used with medical supervision. Your doctor will likely see you every few months to make sure the medication is working as it should. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that affects pleasure, movement, and attention span. Norepinephrine is a stimulant.
The levels of these chemicals increase slowly, so your doctor will start you on the lowest possible dose and increase it in small increments, if necessary. Ritalin may make it easier for you to concentrate, be less fidgety, and gain control of your actions. You may also find it easier to listen and focus at your job or in school. Some people taking Ritalin experience blurred vision or other changes to eyesight. Other potential side effects include:.
This is often done during the summer months. This can encourage growth, and also allows them to see how your child does without taking it. Ritalin, like other central nervous system stimulants, may be habit-forming.
If you take a large dose, the quick rise in dopamine can produce a temporary feeling of euphoria. Taking Ritalin in high doses or for a long time can be habit-forming. If you stop taking it abruptly, you may experience withdrawal. Symptoms of withdrawal include sleep problems, fatigue, and depression.
Ritalin can cause circulation problems. Your fingers and toes may feel cold and painful, and your skin may turn blue or red. If you take Ritalin and experience circulatory problems, tell your doctor. Stimulants can also raise your body temperature, blood pressure, and heart rate.
You may feel jittery and irritable. Stimulants should be taken with caution if you have pre-existing blood pressure or heart problems.
Ritalin may increase your risk of heart attack and stroke. Misusing stimulants by crushing pills and injecting them can lead to blocked blood vessels.
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