Treating attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and uncontrollable sleep attacks (narcolepsy). It may also be prescribed for other conditions as determined by your doctor.
Ritalin is a central nervous system stimulant. It works by blocking 2 chemicals in the brain. The exact way Ritalin works is unknown.
Do NOT use Ritalin if:
You are allergic to any ingredient in Ritalin
You have severe anxiety, agitation, or tension
You have glaucoma
You have motor tics, Tourette syndrome, or a family history of Tourette syndrome
You are currently taken or have taken a monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor (eg, phenelzine) in the past 14 days
Before using Ritalin :
Some medical conditions may interact with Ritalin . Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:
If you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
If you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
If you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
If you have a history of bizarre behavior, mood swings, fatigue, agitation, anxiety, tension, depression, psychosis, or abnormal thoughts or visions
If you have a history of seizures, convulsions, or abnormal electroencephalograms (EEGs)
If you have high blood pressure, have had a recent heart attack, or have other heart problems
If you have high thyroid hormone levels or a history of substance abuse or alcoholism
Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Ritalin . Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:
Guanethidine because the effectiveness may be decreased by Ritalin
MAO inhibitors (eg, phenelzine) because the actions and side effects of Ritalin may be increased
This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Ritalin may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.
How to use Ritalin :
Use Ritalin as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.
Ritalin comes with an additional patient leaflet. Read it carefully.
Take before meals, preferably 30 to 45 minutes before eating. If stomach upset occurs, take with food.
If medicine causes difficulty sleeping, take last dose before 6 pm.
If you miss a dose of Ritalin and you take one dose daily, take the missed dose if you remember the same day. Skip the missed dose if you do not remember until the next day. Do not take 2 doses at once.
Important safety information:
Ritalin may cause dizziness, blurred vision, or lightheadedness. Do not drive, operate machinery, or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how you react to Ritalin . Using Ritalin alone, with certain other medicines, or with alcohol may lessen your ability to drive or to perform other potentially dangerous tasks.
Ritalin should not be used to treat depression or prevent or treat normal tiredness.
Do not drink alcohol while taking Ritalin .
There have been very rare reports of neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS). It is uncertain whether these cases were caused by Ritalin alone or by some other combination factors. Notify your doctor if you experience fever, excessive sweating, shortness of breath, inability to control bladder, muscle rigidity, tremors, or unusual muscle movements.
LAB TESTS, such as complete blood cell counts and platelet counts, may be needed to monitor for side effects. Keep all doctor and laboratory appointments.
Ritalin may reduce weight gain or growth in CHILDREN. Your health care provider will watch weight and height carefully. Your doctor may stop treatment if growing or gaining weight are not as your doctor expects. Contact your health care provider if you do not see improvement in symptoms within 1 month. Ritalin is not recommended for use in CHILDREN younger than 6 years of age; safety and effectiveness in this age group have not been confirmed.
PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you are pregnant or plan on becoming pregnant, discuss with your doctor the benefits and risks of using Ritalin during pregnancy. It is unknown if Ritalin is excreted in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while using Ritalin , contact your doctor or pharmacist to discuss the risks to your baby.
Possible side effects of Ritalin :
All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:
Decreased appetite (more severe in children); diarrhea; dizziness; drowsiness; dry mouth; fever; hair loss; headache; itching; joint pain; loss of appetite; nervousness; sleeplessness; stomach upset; vomiting.
Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:
Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); bruising; changes in heart rate (fast or slow); changes in mood or personality; chest pain or pounding in the chest; confusion; convulsions or seizures; depression; involuntary muscle movements; joint pain; psychosis (abnormal thinking or hallucinations, hearing abnormal sounds); seizures; sore throat and fever; vision changes or blurred vision; weight loss; yellowing of the skin or eyes.
Last Modified April 29 2007