Ritalin is the brand name for the generic drug Methylphenidate which is manufactured by Ciba-Geigy and is sold in 2.5 mg, 5 mg and 10 mg tablets. Ritalin was the first prescription drug introduced for ADHD which used methylphenidate.
Indications
Ritalin is a prescription drug that is used in the treatment of ADHD in children as well as in adults. It has been especially effective in the treatment of children who are very hyperactive and it has helped a lot in making them become more controllable and in helping them control themselves better. It is usually used as a part of a total therapy that includes diet, exercise and counseling. When it comes to children, it is best to add this drug to the treatment when all other non-drug measures fail.
Action
The drug is a psychostimulant and while that might seem a bit odd to treat hyperactive children by stimulating their central nervous system, the drug’s action seems to work towards making them more calm and controlled. This could be because it increases the production of dopamine and noradrenaline which are essential in making a person more in control of his behavior as well as his attention. So when this area of the brain becomes more active, children become more in control. While one cannot tell exactly how these drugs work, the effects are often very good.
Side Effects
Like all prescription drugs, this drug too could have some side effects in some people so one needs to look for them. Some of the common side effects are headaches, no appetite, nervousness, insomnia, anxiety, twitches or tics, feeling tired, dry mouth, rashes or itching skin, stomach aches, nausea, vomiting or loose motions. There could be a few serious side effects as well like irregular heartbeat, shortness of breath, hallucinations, depression, thoughts of suicide, pain in the chest, blurred vision, palpitation and high blood pressure. In children, there could be a decrease in height gain or weight gain in their growth period.
Caution
You have to tell your doctor about all the ailments you suffer from and all the medicines and supplements you take so he can prescribe drugs that do not have reactions with anything you are taking. As this medication can cause sleepiness and dizzy spells, you must not be driving or working with dangerous machinery while you are under treatment. No alcohol is to be taken while this drug is prescribed and you should also be careful about timings and make sure the drug is taken at the specified time every day. Children especially should be closely monitored during this period of treatment. Caution should be exercised in people who have high blood pressure, a substance abuse history, epilepsy or a family history of Tourette’s syndrome.
Contraindications
People with kidney, liver and heart problems should avoid this drug and so should mothers who are nursing or women who are pregnant. People with glaucoma, bipolar disorder or anorexia should also preferably avoid this drug.