Ritalin side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to Ritalin: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have:

• signs of heart problems – chest pain, trouble breathing, feeling like you might pass out;

• signs of psychosis – hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that are not real), new behavior problems, aggression, hostility, paranoia;

• signs of circulation problems – numbness, pain, cold feeling, unexplained wounds, or skin color changes (pale, red, or blue appearance) in your fingers or toes; or

• penis erection that is painful or lasts 4 hours or longer.

Seek medical attention right away if you have symptoms of serotonin syndrome, such as: agitation, hallucinations, fever, sweating, shivering, fast heart rate, muscle stiffness, twitching, loss of coordination, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.

Methylphenidate can affect growth in children. 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.

Common Ritalin side effects may include:

• sweating, increased blood pressure;

• mood changes, anxiety, feeling nervous or irritable, trouble sleeping;

• fast heart rate, pounding heartbeats or fluttering in your chest;

• loss of appetite, weight loss;

• dry mouth, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, indigestion; or

• headache, dizziness.

What other drugs will affect Ritalin?

Tell your doctor about all your other medicines, especially:

• a blood thinner – warfarin, Coumadin, Jantoven;

• blood pressure medication;

• an antidepressant;

• seizure medication; or

• cold or allergy medications that contain decongestants.

This list is not complete. Other drugs may interact with methylphenidate, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

Dosing information

Usual Adult Dose for Attention Deficit Disorder:

• IMMEDIATE-RELEASE (IR): Average dose: 20 to 30 mg orally in 2 or 3 divided doses, preferably 30 to 45 minutes before meals; Maximum dose: 60 mg/day.
• EXTENDED-RELEASE (ER): 8-hour ER oral tablet (e.g., Ritalin SR) – May be used when titrated 8-hour IR dose corresponds to available 8-hour ER tablet; available as 20 mg tablets; Maximum dose: 60 mg/day
  

  Usual Adult Dose for Narcolepsy:

  • IMMEDIATE-RELEASE (IR): Average dose: 20 to 30 mg orally in 2 or 3 divided doses, preferably 30 to 45 minutes before meals; Maximum dose: 60 mg/day.
  • EXTENDED-RELEASE (ER): 8-hour ER oral tablet (e.g., Ritalin SR) – May be used when titrated 8-hour IR dose corresponds to available 8-hour ER tablet; available as 20 mg tablets; Maximum dose: 60 mg/day.

  Usual Pediatric Dose for Attention Deficit Disorder:

  6 years or older

  IMMEDIATE-RELEASE (IR): Initial dose: 2.5 to 5 mg orally twice (before breakfast and lunch). Increase dose gradually in increments of 5 to 10 mg per week; individualize dose according to needs and response of patient; Maximum dose: 60 mg/day

  EXTENDED-RELEASE (ER):

  • 8-hour ER oral tablet (e.g., Ritalin SR): – May be used when titrated 8-hour IR dose corresponds to available 8-hour ER tablet; available as 20 mg tablets; Maximum dose: 60 mg/day
  • Once daily (50% IR/50% ER) oral capsule (e.g., Ritalin LA):
    • Age: 6 to 12 years of age (methylphenidate-naive): Initial Dose: 20 mg orally once a day in the morning; may initiate at 10 mg orally once a day when a lower dose is appropriate
    • Patients Currently Using Immediate-release (IR) or Sustained-release (SR) Methylphenidate:
  • • • Initial dose: 10 mg orally once a day if current IR dose is 5 mg twice a day
      • Initial dose: 20 mg orally once a day if current IR dose is 10 mg 2 times a day or SR dose is 20 mg once a day
      • Initial dose: 30 mg orally once a day if current IR dose is 15 mg 2 times a day
      • Initial dose: 40 mg orally once a day if current IR dose is 20 mg 2 times a day or SR dose 40 mg once a day
      • Initial dose: 60 mg orally once a day if current IR dose is 30 mg 2 times a day or SR dose 60 mg once a day

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at one time.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222. An overdose of methylphenidate could be fatal.