Ritalin is a stimulant that can genuinely help people who have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). It is made of methylphenidate, which is known to help people focus at work and school. Like caffeine, methylphenidate is a stimulant.
Ritalin is a prescription medicine used to treat the symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and narcolepsy. Ritalin may be used alone or with other medications.
Ritalin belongs to a class of drugs called Stimulants, ADHD Agents.
How Ritalin helps
When a child or teenager needs medical assistance for ADHD, they may exhibit:
- Behavioral issues
- A hard time making or keeping friends
- Difficulty keeping up with schoolwork
Ritalin may decrease their hyperactivity and help them to focus better on their studies and enable them to study for longer periods. The medicine can also decrease their impulsiveness and they will find it easier to keep friends.
These are the most common side effects reported by people who take Ritalin:
- Headache
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Insomnia
- Decreased appetite
- Dry mouth
Most patients tolerate the medicine well and are able to continue taking the medicine as it helps them with their studies, work and relationships.
Side-effects of Ritalin
Ritalin can be habit-forming as users may develop a tolerance to the drug over time. Sometimes the drug is abused by students to concentrate for longer periods of time.
Make sure that you keep track of the medication and never take more than prescribed. It is illegal to give or sell the medication to others. Talk to your doctor if you have a past history of substance dependence before you begin Ritalin Therapy.
Usually, people who are diagnosed with ADHD have a prescribed medication like Ritalin that they take for years.
It can be difficult to know when someone should stop taking Ritalin. People with ADHD can often be weaned off their medication if they have been doing well for at least a year.
Forming tolerance and resistance to Ritalin over time
Taking stimulants for a long time allows a person to build tolerance, even if a person uses them under a doctor’s supervision. This tolerance can form even more quickly with abuse.
Once tolerance has been detected, a person may choose from several treatment options, but this depends widely on how a person used Ritalin. People who used Ritalin with a doctor’s supervision may be able to do the following:
- Consider switching to psychological interventions and family interventions alone
- Decrease the dosage – taking less Ritalin might help a child continue to receive treatment
- Taking a break from Ritalin during school vacations or weekends can help to decrease tolerance.
The Controlled Substances Act has been in place since 1970. It governs the making and distribution of medications. Medications fall into one of five categories, called “schedules,” based on their safety, risk for abuse, and accepted medical use.
The majority of ADHD stimulant medications fall into the Schedule II category. They are legal, but they are considered dangerous because of their high risk of abuse and dependence. Other Schedule II drugs include painkillers like OxyContin.
