Using Ritalin to Treat ADHD

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsForms of Ritalin for ADHDRitalin Side EffectsRitalin WarningsInteractionsRitalin Dependence and Withdrawal

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

Forms of Ritalin for ADHD

Ritalin Side Effects

Ritalin Warnings

Interactions

Ritalin Dependence and Withdrawal

What is the most important information I should know about Ritalin?People should not take Ritalin if they:have a known hypersensitivity to methylphenidate; orhave glaucoma, motor tics, Tourette’s syndrome, or marked anxiety; orhave taken an MAOI within the previous 14 days.

What is the most important information I should know about Ritalin?

People should not take Ritalin if they:have a known hypersensitivity to methylphenidate; orhave glaucoma, motor tics, Tourette’s syndrome, or marked anxiety; orhave taken an MAOI within the previous 14 days.

People should not take Ritalin if they:

Ritalin (methylphenidate) is a central nervous system stimulant used to treat children and adults withattention deficit hyperactivity disorderor ADHD. It is also used to treat people with narcolepsy.Ritalin can help improve characteristics of ADHD, including reducing hyperactivity, improving attention, and decreasing impulsivity.

When parents think abouttreating ADHD, they often think about Ritalin, as it was one of the firstADHD medicationsintroduced (amphetamines were first). Ritalin has been used to treat ADHDsince the 1950s.

Since Ritalin is often used as a generic term for the whole range of ADHD medications, sometimes people attribute every negative thing they have ever heard about ADHD treatments to Ritalin. This is unfortunate becauseRitalinhas a good track record of helping many children with ADHD.

Methylphenidate is available in a variety of short, intermediate, and long-acting forms. Focalin (dexmethylphenidate) and Focalin XR are made of just one part or isomer of methylphenidate. These medicines leave out another part, which is inactive and may contribute to side effects.

Doses of stimulants don’t usually depend on a child’s weight,so your pediatrician will usually start with a low dose and then work upwards until it usually works or is causing side effects.

Although most forms of methylphenidate, including Concerta, must be swallowed whole, it is possible to open Ritalin LA and Metadate CD capsules and sprinkle the contents on food, such as applesauce.

The liquid and chewable forms of Ritalin are good alternatives for children who can’t swallow pills.

Except for medications such as Daytrana, Quillichew ER, Quillivant XR, Jornay PM, and Adhansia XR, most of these medications are available in generic forms, which can help you save money.

Short-Acting Methylphenidate

Short-acting forms of Ritalin and other brand-name forms of methylphenidate are available in 5mg, 10mg, and 20mg tablets that are usually taken two or three times a day. Each dose lasts three to five hours.

Intermediate-Acting Methylphenidate

With these formulations, a dose lasts 3 to 8 hours.

Long-Acting Methylphenidate

A dose of these medications lasts 8-12 hours, which means a child only has to take one dose per day.Although convenient, once-a-day forms of Ritalin and other brand-name medications containing methylphenidate are typically much more expensive than generic methylphenidate

If your child misses a dose of Ritalin (or a similar stimulant), they can take the dose late. But they should not take it after six p.m., because it may interfere with their ability to fall asleep.

The most common side effects of Ritalin are nervousness and insomnia (trouble sleeping). Other side effects include:

Before taking Ritalin for ADHD, it is important to be aware of important precautions. Tell your doctor if you are allergic to methylphenidate, dexmethylphenidate, or other substances.

Ritalin is also not approved for children under 6 years of age, or for people takingMAO inhibitors. It is not recommended for pregnant women.

Ritalin and Heart Issues

Stimulants can cause increases in heart rate and blood pressure.You should tell your doctor if you or your family have a history of cardiovascular disease. Ritalin has been associated with an increased risk of stroke, heart attack, and increased blood pressure in some people with heart problems.

According to the American College of Cardiology, people who take stimulants such as Ritalin have a 17% increased risk of developing cardiomyopathy within one year compared to people who do not take stimulants.

Interactions When Taking Ritalin for ADHD

Always tell your doctor about any medications, supplements, or other substances you are currently taking or have recently taken. Some medications or substances can interact with Ritalin or affect how it works. Some medications may lead to side effects such as high blood pressure, drowsiness, bleeding, and serotonin syndrome.

Your doctor may not prescribe Ritalin if you take a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI). Combining these medications can have serious interactions, including high blood pressure, stroke, kidney failure, and heart attack.

Ritalin may also interact with other medications, including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), blood thinners, seizure medications, decongestants, and antipsychotics.

Ritalin is acontrolled substance, which means that it has a potential for misuse.It carries a risk of dependence and addiction, which is higher for people who have a history of substance use disorder. This is why it is important to take this medication as prescribed. Never take more than the prescribed dose or take it longer than your doctor recommends.

You should not decrease or discontinue Ritalin without talking to a doctor first.

Suddenly stopping this medication or lowering the dose can result in withdrawal symptoms. In many cases, you doctor will recommend gradually tapering your dose over a period of time to minimize unpleasant withdrawal symptoms.

If you or a loved one are struggling with substance use or addiction, contact theSubstance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helplineat1-800-662-4357for information on support and treatment facilities in your area.For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.

For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.

How Ritalin Can Be Addictive

7 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.U.S. Food & Drug Administration.Medication guide. Ritalin.Cortese S, Adamo N, Del Giovane C, et al.Comparative efficacy and tolerability of medications for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder in children, adolescents, and adults: a systematic review and network meta-analysis.Lancet Psychiatry. 2018;5(9):727–738. doi:10.1016/S2215-0366(18)30269-4Briars L, Todd T.A review of pharmacological management of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.J Pediatr Pharmacol Ther. 2016;21(3):192–206. doi:10.5863/1551-6776-21.3.192U.S. Food & Drug Administration.Highlights of prescribing information. Concerta.Sinha A, Lewis O, Kumar R, Yeruva SL, Curry BH.Adult ADHD medications and their cardiovascular implications.Case Rep Cardiol. 2016;2016:2343691. doi:10.1155/2016/2343691American College of Cardiology.ADHD stimulants may increase risk of heart damage in young adults.U.S. Department of Justice. Drug Enforcement Administration.Methlyphenidate.Additional ReadingCortese S, Adamo N, Del Giovane C, et al.Comparative efficacy and tolerability of medications for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder in children, adolescents, and adults: a systematic review and network meta-analysis.Lancet Psychiatry. 2018;5(9):727-738.US National Library of Medicine:Methylphenidate. MedLinePlus,

7 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.U.S. Food & Drug Administration.Medication guide. Ritalin.Cortese S, Adamo N, Del Giovane C, et al.Comparative efficacy and tolerability of medications for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder in children, adolescents, and adults: a systematic review and network meta-analysis.Lancet Psychiatry. 2018;5(9):727–738. doi:10.1016/S2215-0366(18)30269-4Briars L, Todd T.A review of pharmacological management of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.J Pediatr Pharmacol Ther. 2016;21(3):192–206. doi:10.5863/1551-6776-21.3.192U.S. Food & Drug Administration.Highlights of prescribing information. Concerta.Sinha A, Lewis O, Kumar R, Yeruva SL, Curry BH.Adult ADHD medications and their cardiovascular implications.Case Rep Cardiol. 2016;2016:2343691. doi:10.1155/2016/2343691American College of Cardiology.ADHD stimulants may increase risk of heart damage in young adults.U.S. Department of Justice. Drug Enforcement Administration.Methlyphenidate.Additional ReadingCortese S, Adamo N, Del Giovane C, et al.Comparative efficacy and tolerability of medications for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder in children, adolescents, and adults: a systematic review and network meta-analysis.Lancet Psychiatry. 2018;5(9):727-738.US National Library of Medicine:Methylphenidate. MedLinePlus,

U.S. Food & Drug Administration.Medication guide. Ritalin.Cortese S, Adamo N, Del Giovane C, et al.Comparative efficacy and tolerability of medications for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder in children, adolescents, and adults: a systematic review and network meta-analysis.Lancet Psychiatry. 2018;5(9):727–738. doi:10.1016/S2215-0366(18)30269-4Briars L, Todd T.A review of pharmacological management of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.J Pediatr Pharmacol Ther. 2016;21(3):192–206. doi:10.5863/1551-6776-21.3.192U.S. Food & Drug Administration.Highlights of prescribing information. Concerta.Sinha A, Lewis O, Kumar R, Yeruva SL, Curry BH.Adult ADHD medications and their cardiovascular implications.Case Rep Cardiol. 2016;2016:2343691. doi:10.1155/2016/2343691American College of Cardiology.ADHD stimulants may increase risk of heart damage in young adults.U.S. Department of Justice. Drug Enforcement Administration.Methlyphenidate.

U.S. Food & Drug Administration.Medication guide. Ritalin.

Cortese S, Adamo N, Del Giovane C, et al.Comparative efficacy and tolerability of medications for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder in children, adolescents, and adults: a systematic review and network meta-analysis.Lancet Psychiatry. 2018;5(9):727–738. doi:10.1016/S2215-0366(18)30269-4

Briars L, Todd T.A review of pharmacological management of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.J Pediatr Pharmacol Ther. 2016;21(3):192–206. doi:10.5863/1551-6776-21.3.192

U.S. Food & Drug Administration.Highlights of prescribing information. Concerta.

Sinha A, Lewis O, Kumar R, Yeruva SL, Curry BH.Adult ADHD medications and their cardiovascular implications.Case Rep Cardiol. 2016;2016:2343691. doi:10.1155/2016/2343691

American College of Cardiology.ADHD stimulants may increase risk of heart damage in young adults.

U.S. Department of Justice. Drug Enforcement Administration.Methlyphenidate.

US National Library of Medicine:Methylphenidate. MedLinePlus,

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What is the most important information I should know about Ritalin?#

Short-Acting Methylphenidate#

Intermediate-Acting Methylphenidate#

Long-Acting Methylphenidate#

Ritalin and Heart Issues#

Interactions When Taking Ritalin for ADHD#