Ritalin
Ritalin is perhaps the most widely recognized and commonly prescribed medication for the treatment of symptoms related to Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD).
The primary active ingredient in Ritalin is methylphenidate, a central nervous stimulant that is present in some other ADHD drugs, and which is also used to treat patients with narcolepsy, chronic fatigue syndrome and certain types of traumatic brain injury.
Patented in the 1950s, methylphenidate was originally employed in an attempt to treat depression. By the 1960s it was used to treat children who had been diagnosed with ADHD, a use that saw a significant increase in the 1990s, a time of rising ADHD awareness.
Though stimulative in nature, Ritalin promotes an increased ability to concentrate, focus and resist the urge to fidget when taken by individuals who have ADHD.
Using Ritalin
Methylphenidate has been classified as a Schedule II drug in the United States, which means that the U.S. Department of Justice has determined that it has a high potential for abuse, and can lead to addiction or dependence. Ritalin and other drugs containing methylphenidate are available on a prescription basis only.
Ritalin is taken orally in pill form, and is available in 5, 10 and 20 mg tablets.
Most medical experts direct ADHD patients to begin with daily low doses of Ritalin, followed by gradual increases in daily dosage until an appropriate level is reached. Most patients taking the medication two or three times each day, with their total daily amount of Ritalin ranging from10 to 60 mg.
Dangers & Warnings
The following side effects may be experienced by individuals who take Ritalin:
- Nervousness and anxiety
- Sleep problems, including insomnia
- Nausea and vomiting
- Headache and abdominal pain
- Increased heart rate and raised blood pressure
- Skin rashes and itching
- Appetite suppression and weight loss
- Depression upon withdrawal
Most of these side effects will subside once a person’s body adapts to the drug’s presence, though changes in dosage may be called for. As always, any adverse effects experience while taking Ritalin or any other prescription medications should be immediately brought to the attention of one’s physician.
Recent years have seen significant increases in the prevalence of Ritalin abuse. Some students who do not have ADHD have taken the drug in an attempt to boost their ability to concentrate and focus, while others have ingested Ritalin for purely recreational purposes.
According to information provided by The Partnership for a Drug-Free America, Ritalin abuse has been associated with the following negative health consequences:
- Malnutrition
- Tremors and muscle twitching
- Fever, convulsions, and severe headaches
- Profoundly irregular heartbeat
- Respiratory distress
- Paranoia, hallucinations and delusions
- Formication (the sensation of bugs or worms crawling under the skin).
Also, women are advised not to use Ritalin while pregnant, as the drug has been associated with low birth weight and other issues that threaten the health of the baby.