Ritalin is short-acting, so the drug does not stay in the body for an extended period. 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. Back to Medicines A to Z. Methylphenidate is used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder ADHD.
It is also sometimes used to treat narcolepsy. It comes as standard immediate release tablets and capsules. You can also get extended release modified or prolonged release tablets and capsules which releases the medicine into your body gradually. For children and young people aged 18 years and under, read our information on methylphenidate for children. Methylphenidate can be taken by most adults.
However, it is not suitable for everyone. How you take your methylphenidate depends on whether the medicine is standard immediate release or extended release. These are also called immediate release, although it can still take a while for the medicine to release into your body. You may not notice any changes in your behaviour straight away. Extended release tablets and capsules start to work with a first release of the medicine into the body.
After that, the medicine continues to release into the body more slowly. The usual starting dose for adults is 5mg, taken 2 or 3 times a day. For narcolepsy, you will usually take between 10mg and 60mg a day.
Your doctor may increase your dose gradually usually weekly until they find the dose of methylphenidate that works best for you. The usual starting dose for adults is 10mg, taken once in the morning. Your doctor may increase the dose gradually usually weekly until they find the dose that works best for you.
The usual starting dose for adults is 18mg, taken once in the morning. Your doctor may gradually increase the dose by 18mg at a time usually weekly until they find the dose that works best or you. Swallow the tablets whole with a glass of water, milk or squash.
Do not chew them. Standard tablets or capsules are usually taken 2 or 3 times a day — in the morning, at midday and in the late afternoon. Leave at least 4 hours between doses. If you have problems swallowing pills, some brands of standard tablets can be crushed and added to food.
For example, if you are taking Medikinet or Ritalin tablets, you can crush them and mix it with a small amount of soft food such as yogurt, honey or jam.
Swallow the mixture straight away, without chewing. Swallow the capsules whole with a glass of water, milk or squash. If you are taking Medikinet XL, take it with or after breakfast. If you have problems swallowing capsules, some brands of methylphenidate extended release capsules can be opened up and added to a small amount of soft food, such as yogurt, honey or jam.
Do not crush or break extended release tablets. If you do, the medicine will not work properly. Talk to your pharmacist if you are unsure about how to take methylphenidate tablets or capsules. If you are sick vomit less than 30 minutes after taking methylphenidate, take the same dose again.
If you are sick more than 30 minutes after taking your medicine, do not take another dose. Wait until the next dose is due. Take the next dose as usual. If you forget doses often, it may help to set an alarm to remind you.
You could also ask your pharmacist for advice on other ways to help you remember to take your medicine. The amount of methylphenidate that can lead to an overdose varies from person to person. Get someone else to drive you or call for an ambulance.
Take the methylphenidate packet, or the leaflet inside it, plus any remaining medicine with you. Go to Like all medicines, methylphenidate can cause side effects, although not everyone gets them. These common side effects may happen in more than 1 in people. Keep taking the medicine, but tell your doctor if they bother you or do not go away:. Serious side effects are uncommon and happen in less than 1 in people. Methylphenidate can cause a small increase in blood pressure and heart rate.
Your doctor will usually measure your blood pressure and pulse every 6 months. It's extremely rare to have an allergic reaction anaphylaxis to methylphenidate but if this happens to you, stop taking the medicine and:. These are not all the side effects of methylphenidate. For a full list, see the leaflet inside the medicines packet. Methylphenidate is not usually recommended in pregnancy. However, you may need to continue taking it during your pregnancy to remain well.
Your doctor will be able to explain the benefits and the risks of taking methylphenidate. However, this medicine passes into breast milk so your doctor or health visitor will need to monitor your baby. They will check for any signs of side effects, such as your baby being irritable or having problems sleeping. Taking high doses of methylphenidate may also affect your milk supply when your breastfeeding,.
However, because drugs affect each person differently, we cannot guarantee that this information includes all possible side effects. This information is not a substitute for medical advice. Always discuss possible side effects with a healthcare provider who knows your medical history.
Methylphenidate oral tablet can interact with other medications, vitamins, or herbs you may be taking. An interaction is when a substance changes the way a drug works. This can be harmful or prevent the drug from working well.
To help avoid interactions, your doctor should manage all of your medications carefully. Taking these drugs with methylphenidate may increase the level of methylphenidate in your body and lead to more side effects. These medications may also affect the way long-acting forms of methylphenidate work. Examples of these drugs include:. Taking these drugs with methylphenidate may increase your risk of serotonin syndrome , which can be fatal. If you take any of these drugs, your doctor will start you on a lowered dosage of methylphenidate and monitor you for signs of serotonin syndrome.
Symptoms can include agitation, sweating, muscle twitches, and confusion. Methylphenidate cannot be used during treatment with MAOIs. Using these medications together can lead to a dangerous increase in your blood pressure.
Taking these drugs with methylphenidate may reduce the intended effects of these medications. This means that they will be less effective. Using these drugs with methylphenidate may increase your risk of side effects from both the antipsychotics and from methylphenidate.
Examples of these antipsychotics include:. Using these drugs with methylphenidate may increase the amount of the seizure drug in your body. This can lead to more side effects from the seizure drug. Using warfarin, a blood thinner, with methylphenidate may increase the effect of warfarin in your body.
This can raise your risk of bleeding. However, because drugs interact differently in each person, we cannot guarantee that this information includes all possible interactions. Always speak with your healthcare provider about possible interactions with all prescription drugs, vitamins, herbs and supplements, and over-the-counter drugs that you are taking.
Taking it again could be fatal cause death. Alcohol may increase the effects of methylphenidate. You should not use alcohol while taking this drug. This can cause more side effects and lower the effect of the medication. For people with heart problems: Methylphenidate may increase the risk of sudden death, stroke, and heart attack.
If you have a heart condition, a history of heart attack, high blood pressure, or an abnormal heart rate, ask your doctor if this drug is safe for you. For people with psychiatric disorders: Methylphenidate may make the symptoms of your condition worse. It can also cause new psychotic symptoms, especially in children and adolescents. You may need to stop taking this drug if this happens.
For people with circulation problems: This drug can worsen circulation problems in your fingers and toes. It may increase your risk of having a seizure. For people with growth issues: Methylphenidate has been shown to slow growth in children. If your child is not gaining height or weight, methylphenidate may need to be stopped. Concerta can make this problem worse. For pregnant women: Methylphenidate is a category C pregnancy drug.
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