Methylphenidate may improve hyperactivity in children with ASD in the short term, although there was no evidence that methylphenidate improves or worsens ASD symptoms. Some children cannot tolerate the medication's side effects.
But some hyperactive children with autism can't tolerate the drug and suffer side effects such as nausea, mood swings and appetite loss after just a few doses.
Nervousness, trouble sleeping, loss of appetite, weight loss, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, or headache may occur. If any of these effects last or get worse, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.
Questions about Ritalin
Currently, children with symptoms of ADHD (nearly one in three children with Autism also have some ADHD symptoms – June 2013 edition of the journal Autism ), have routinely been prescribed an amphetamine known as Ritalin.
Studies have shown that medication is most effective when it's combined with behavioral therapies. Risperidone (Risperdal) and Aripiprazole (Abilify) are the only drugs approved by the FDA for children with autism spectrum disorder.
The most commonly prescribed medications are methylphenidate (Ritalin, Concerta, Metadate, Quillivant), amphetamine (Adderall, Dexedrine, Vyvanse, Dyanavel), atomoxetine (Strattera), and guanfacine (Intuniv, Tenex).
Methylphenidate Dose-Dependently Affects Aggression and Improves Fear Extinction and Anxiety in BALB/cJ Mice. Overt aggression, increased anxiety, and dysfunctional fear processing are often observed in individuals with conduct disorder (CD) and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Ritalin is a Schedule II substance under the Controlled Substances Act. Schedule II drugs, which include cocaine and methamphetamine, have a high potential for abuse. Abuse of these drugs may lead to severe psychological or physical dependence.
In conclusion, chronic use of Ritalin affects brain serotonergic system modulation by SERT density increase, which is seen in a short- and long-term period of time. In this study, we observed an increase in SERT positive neurons in MFC, which is visible after chronic Ritalin intake.
Your child may have minor headaches, tummy aches, or even feel sick to their stomach when they start a new medication. These side effects usually go away after a few days or weeks. It may help if they take their medication with food. Less appetite.
Nonetheless, medicines such as risperidone and aripiprazole can be beneficial in ways that can ease these core symptoms, because relieving irritability often improves sociability while reducing tantrums, aggressive outbursts and self-injurious behaviors.
Stimulants don't change the core characteristics of autism.
But some evidence suggests that stimulants can help autistic children with ADHD pay attention and behave less impulsively. In turn, this can help them at school and in social situations. Stimulants can have side effects.
Some children with ADHD do well using behavior training methods, and may not need a medicine. For other children, Ritalin can improve attention, focus, goal-directed behavior, and organizational skills.
Hallmarks of autism spectrum disorder and ADHD often overlap. Many autistic children also have symptoms of ADHD — difficulty settling down, social awkwardness, only focusing only on things of interest to them, and impulsivity.
There is no evidence that methylphenidate is harmful as long as it is taken exactly as prescribed and your child is monitored carefully. This is why it's a good idea for them to have regular reviews with their doctor to check whether it's still needed.
Avoid excessive caffeine intake during use of methylphenidate derivatives. Excessive caffeine ingestion (via medicines, foods like chocolate, dietary supplements, or beverages including coffee, green tea, other teas, colas) may contribute to side effects like nervousness, irritability, nausea, insomnia, or tremor.
Adults and children 6 years of age and older—At first, 10 to 20 milligrams (mg) once a day, taken in the morning. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 60 mg per day. Children younger than 6 years of age—Use and dose must be determined by the doctor.
Mental health risks
Stimulant drugs, like methylphenidate and the methylphenidate-based drugs, can make you feel overconfident and disinhibited, induce feelings of anxiety, panic, confusion, paranoia, and even cause psychosis, which can lead you to put your own safety at risk.
Regular stimulant medication for ADHD helps ADHD symptoms much of the time, but is only about half as helpful with anger problems.
Children with ADHD often have difficulty paying attention to the same thing for too long, and they may get distracted easily. Autistic children may have a limited scope of interest. They may seem to obsess over things that they enjoy and have difficulty focusing on things that they have no interest in.
Remind your child to use their relaxation techniques, sensory aids or other options. You could use visual cues like pictures of headphones or a quiet place. Try not to say too much. Instead use pictures or written words to guide your child to a safe, quiet place and suggest calming strategies.
Lithium is another option for children and adolescents with ASD who present with symptoms of a mood disorder, such as elevated moods/euphoria, mania, and paranoia, whether accompanied or not by irritability.