Because Ritalin is a stimulant medication, it should not be taken with other stimulant drugs or substances such as methamphetamine and cocaine. Doing so can cause a severe overreaction of the central nervous system.
Sometimes, the chemical effects of food can enhance or interfere with a medication response. For example, if your child gets a sugar rush from eating sweets while taking a stimulant medication such as Ritalin they may become excessively hyper by this interaction.
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.
For instance, some people have reported behavior problems like aggression and hostility. Others say they developed symptoms of bipolar disorder. The FDA has also warned that there's a slight risk that stimulant ADHD drugs could lead to mood swings or symptoms of psychosis -- like hearing things and paranoia.
Patients for whom methylphenidate treatment is deemed appropriate should be carefully monitored as follows: Blood pressure should be recorded at every dose adjustment and then at least every six months; pulse should also be recorded. Height, weight and appetite should be recorded at least every six months.
Drinks rich in ascorbic acid/vitamin C or citric acid (orange, grapefruit, and other drinks supplemented with vitamin C) may interfere with the absorption of Ritalin. Citric acid breaks down the medication before it has a chance to be absorbed by the body.
Physical health risks
Methylphenidate and methylphenidate-based drugs can put a strain on your heart and nervous system, increasing your heart rate and blood pressure. This can be extremely dangerous, even fatal, especially if you have a pre-existing heart problem.
"These changes in brain chemistry were associated with serious concerns such as risk-taking behaviors, disruptions in the sleep/wake cycle and problematic weight loss, as well as resulting in increased activity and anti-anxiety and antidepressive effects."
For adolescents and adults, whose attention and performance requirements remain constant through most of their waking hours, two or three daily doses are the norm. From a strictly physical standpoint, it appears Ritalin can be taken safely every day.
Stimulant drugs like Ritalin are known to promote dopamine release from the striatum, which is a brain area that is important for motivating action, actually doing it, and the cognitive processes underlying it. It is established that dopamine is the neurotransmitter carrying information between neurons.
Your child may need to take methylphenidate for several months or even years. They will not usually need to take it for the rest of their life. Your child will have regular check-ups, usually every 6 months or so. Your doctor may recommend stopping methylphenidate for a while, or reducing the dose.
Methylphenidate HCl (Ritalin) is often prescribed for the treatment of hyperactivity and is usually administered orally 30 minutes to 1 hour before meals, based on an assumption that meals may interfere with the absorption or metabolism of the drug.
What does Ritalin do? Ritalin stimulates the mind and body in adults and can calm children down. It's used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children. However, it's not usually recommended for children younger than 6 years old.
Take it preferably 30 to 45 minutes before meals. If you are taking the long-acting forms of this medicine: The Concerta® or Relexxii® extended release tablets, Adhansia XR®, Aptensio XR™, Metadate CD®, or Ritalin LA® capsules, and Ritalin SR® tablets are to be swallowed whole with water or other liquids.
The most popular ADHD medications among ADDitude readers include (in alphabetical order): Adderall XR (amphetamine) Concerta (methylphenidate) Dexedrine (amphetamine)
ADHD specialists recommend methylphenidates as the first-choice medication for treating children and adolescents, and amphetamines as the first-choice medication for adults.
Untreated ADHD in adults can lead to mental health disorders like anxiety and depression. This is because ADHD symptoms can lead to focus, concentration, and impulsivity problems. When these problems are not managed effectively, they can lead to feelings of frustration, irritability, and low self-esteem.
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.
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. Very high doses of Ritalin can lead to: delusions or hallucinations.
The Final Word on Ritalin and Anxiety
While it is easy to imagine that a drug that seems to "calm" overexcited children would be great for your anxiety, the truth is that this drug is designed to stimulate alertness and therefore runs the risk of worsening your anxiety rather than improving it.
Ritalin is a stimulant drug that's been used to treat ADHD since the 1960s. It's a short-acting medication, but it also comes in an extended-release formula. Ritalin is a methylphenidate-based drug. Like all stimulants, it works by improving the way parts of the brain communicate.
The lawsuits alleged that the makers of methylphenidate (brand name Ritalin) and the American Psychiatric Association had conspired to invent and promote the disorder ADHD to create a highly profitable market for the drug.
Ritalin can cause small increases in blood pressure and heart rate, so doctors will exercise caution when prescribing this medication to individuals with hypertension and tachycardia. There have been reports of sudden death in children with heart conditions who were taking Ritalin.