Author: Alex Thompson

Ritalin: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects & Warnings

Throughout this article, we use the term “Ritalin” to describe both forms of the drug. There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding. This medicine is available only with your doctor’s prescription. Below are answers to some commonly asked questions about Ritalin’s dosage. In rare cases, overdose of Ritalin can lead to coma or can be fatal.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor if you have a personal or family history of a substance use disorder. Do not increase your dose, use it more often, or use it for a longer time or in a different way than prescribed. Doing so may result in a decrease in the effect of this drug, drug dependence, or abnormal thoughts/behavior.

Does Ritalin interact with my other drugs?

(An active ingredient is what makes a drug work.) Ritalin belongs to a group of drugs called stimulants. If you’re not sure where to begin with finding a doctor, consider taking Talkiatry’s quick assessment. We can confirm a diagnosis and match you with a psychiatrist that’s right for you. Other people may take medications that affect how Ritalin works in their bodies.

When should I see my healthcare provider?

The FDA hasn’t specifically approved antidepressants for the treatment of ADHD. However, healthcare providers sometimes prescribe them alone or in combination with a stimulant for the treatment of ADHD. The antidepressants providers typically prescribe for ADHD work on the dopamine and norepinephrine levels in your brain. The most common drug classes are norepinephrine-dopamine reuptake inhibitors and tricyclics. Stimulants are considered controlled substances, which means they have the potential to be improperly used or cause substance use disorders.

It might help to adjust the timing or dosage to lessen this common side effect. The doctor might also recommend trying a different medication. Like all stimulants, it works by improving the way parts of the brain communicate. This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Ritalin may cause new or worsening psychosis (unusual thoughts or behavior), especially if you have a history of depression, mental illness, or bipolar disorder. Tell your doctor if you have a history of drug or alcohol addiction.

1. Dr. Gardiner has completed 3 years of advanced training in Dynamic Deconstructive Psychotherapy as well as specialized training in DBT.
2. Do not use methylphenidate if you have used an MAO inhibitor in the past 14 days.
3. Ritalin may cause new or worsening psychosis (unusual thoughts or behavior), especially if you have a history of depression, mental illness, or bipolar disorder.
4. In fact, they’re regularly used in conjunction with a variety of therapies.
5. MAO inhibitors include isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue injection, phenelzine, and tranylcypromine.

Methylphenidate (oral route)

Following this, she completed her child and adolescent psychiatry fellowship at Upstate due to the high quality of training. Dr. Gardiner has completed 3 years of advanced training in Dynamic Deconstructive Psychotherapy as well as specialized training in DBT. She believes strongly in reducing polypharmacy and providing high-quality medication management through a therapeutic and developmental lens.

Serious side effects

If needed, your psychiatrist can also refer you to a Talkiatry therapist. For most patients, Talkiatry treatment is just as effective as in-person psychiatry (American Psychiatric Association, 2021), and much more convenient. That said, we don’t currently provide treatment for schizophrenia, primary eating disorder treatment, or Medication Assisted Treatment for substance use disorders. Stimulants delay sleep by about 40 minutes in some kids. If this becomes a problem for your child, talk to your child’s doctor.

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances. Your child’s height and weight may need to be checked often. Tell your doctor if your child is not growing at a normal rate.

Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company. Do not use medications containing dexmethylphenidate while using methylphenidate. Alcohol or marijuana (cannabis) can make you more dizzy.

In fact, Ritalin and Ritalin LA can cause mental health side effects such as manic or psychotic episodes. Before starting the medication, your doctor will discuss these side effects of the medication and ask about your mental health history. Your doctor may gradually increase your dose weekly until you reach the dose that provides the desired effect. The maximum recommended dose of Ritalin or Ritalin LA is 60 mg per day.

If side effects are a problem, talk to your child’s doctor. You might need to fine-tune the medication or change medications entirely. That’s especially true if your child has these rarer side effects. Your doctor will need to check your progress on a regular basis. From time-to-time, your doctor may stop Ritalin treatment for a while to check ADHD symptoms. Your heart and blood pressure may also need to be checked often.