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Ritalin Prescription Pain Medication Info
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Pronounced: RIT-ah-lin
Generic name: Methylphenidate hydrochloride
Other brand names: Concerta, Metadate, Methylin
Ritalin and other brands of methylphenidate are mild
central nervous system stimulants used in the treatment
of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in children.
With the exception of Ritalin LA, Concerta, and Metadate
CD, these products are also used in adults to treat
narcolepsy (an uncontrollable desire to sleep).
When given for attention deficit disorder, Ritalin should
be an integral part of a total treatment program that
includes psychological, educational, and social measures.
Symptoms of attention deficit disorder include continual
problems with moderate to severe distractibility, short
attention span, hyperactivity, emotional changeability,
and impulsiveness. |
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Excessive doses of Ritalin over a long period
of time can produce addiction. It is also possible to
develop tolerance to the drug, so that larger doses
are needed to produce the original effect. Because of
these dangers, be sure to check with your doctor before
making any change in dosage; and withdraw the drug only
under your doctor's supervision.
Follow your doctor's directions carefully. It is recommended
that methylphenidate be taken 30 to 45 minutes before
meals. If the drug interferes with sleep, give the child
the last dose before 6 p.m. Ritalin-SR, Ritalin LA,
Metadate CD, Methylin ER, and Concerta are long-acting
forms of the drug, taken less frequently. They should
be swallowed whole, never crushed or chewed. (Ritalin
LA and Metadate CD may also be given by sprinkling the
contents of the capsule on a tablespoon of cool applesauce
and administering immediately, followed by a drink of
water.
If you miss a dose
Give it to the child as soon as you remember. Give the
remaining doses for the day at regularly spaced intervals.
Do not give 2 doses at once.
Storage instructions
Keep out of reach of children. Store below 86 degrees
Fahrenheit in a tightly closed, light-resistant container.
Protect Ritalin-SR from moisture.
side effects
Side effects cannot be anticipated. If any develop or
change in intensity, inform your doctor as soon as possible.
Only your doctor can determine if it is safe for you
to continue giving Ritalin.
Side effects may include:
Inability to fall or stay asleep, nervousness
These side effects can usually be controlled by reducing
the dosage and omitting the drug in the afternoon or
evening.
In children, loss of appetite, abdominal pain, weight
loss during long-term therapy, inability to fall or
stay asleep, and abnormally fast heartbeat are more
common side effects.
This drug should not be prescribed for anyone experiencing
anxiety, tension, and agitation, since the drug may
aggravate these symptoms.
Anyone sensitive or allergic to Ritalin should not take
it. This medication should not be taken by anyone with
the eye condition known as glaucoma, anyone who suffers
from tics (repeated, involuntary twitches), or someone
with a family history of Tourette's syndrome (severe
and multiple tics).
This drug is not intended for use in children whose
symptoms may be caused by stress or a psychiatric disorder.
This medication should not be used for the prevention
or treatment of normal fatigue, nor should it be used
for the treatment of severe depression.
This drug should not be taken during treatment with
drugs classified as monoamine oxidase inhibitors, such
as the antidepressants Nardil and Parnate, nor for the
2 weeks following discontinuation of these drugs.
warnings
Your doctor will do a complete history and evaluation
before prescribing Ritalin. He or she will take into
account the severity of the symptoms, as well as your
child's age.
This drug should not be given to children under 6 years
of age; safety and effectiveness in this age group have
not been established.
There is no information regarding the safety and effectiveness
of long-term treatment in children. However, suppression
of growth has been seen with the long-term use of stimulants,
so your doctor will watch your child carefully while
he or she is taking Ritalin.
Blood pressure should be monitored in anyone taking
Ritalin, especially those with high blood pressure.
Some people have had visual disturbances such as blurred
vision while being treated with Ritalin.
The use of Ritalin by anyone with a seizure disorder
is not recommended. Be sure your doctor is aware of
any problem in this area. Caution is also advisable
for anyone with a history of emotional instability or
substance abuse, due to the danger of
Dose:
The average dosage is 20 to 30 milligrams a day, divided
into 2 or 3 doses, preferably taken 30 to 45 minutes
before meals. Some people may need 40 to 60 milligrams
daily, others only 10 to 15 milligrams. Your doctor
will determine the best dose. Ritalin-SR, Methylin ER,
and Metadate ER Tablets These tablets keep working for
8 hours. They may be used in place of Ritalin tablets
if they deliver a comparable dose over an 8-hour period.
This drug should not be given to children under 6 years
of age. Ritalin and Methylin Tablets The usual starting
dose is 5 milligrams taken twice a day, before breakfast
and lunch; your doctor will increase the dose by 5 to
10 milligrams a week.
Your child should not take more than 60 milligrams in
a day. If you do not see any improvement over a period
of 1 month, check with your doctor. He or she may wish
to discontinue the drug. Ritalin-SR, Methylin ER, and
Metadate ER Tablets These tablets continue working for
8 hours. Your doctor will decide if they should be used
in place of the regular tablets. Ritalin LA Capsules
The recommended starting dose is 20 milligrams once
daily in the morning.
At weekly intervals, the doctor may increase the dose
by 10 milligrams, up to a maximum of 60 milligrams once
a day. Concerta Tablets The recommended starting dose
is 18 milligrams once daily in the morning. At weekly
intervals, your doctor may increase the dose in 18-milligram
steps, up to a maximum of 54 milligrams each morning.
Metadate CD Capsules The recommended starting dose is
20 milligrams once daily before breakfast.
If necessary, the doctor may increase the dose in 20-milligram
steps to a maximum of 60 milligrams once a day. Your
doctor will periodically discontinue the drug in order
to reassess your child's condition. Drug treatment should
not, and need not, be indefinite and usually can be
discontinued after puberty.
overdose
If you suspect an overdose, seek medical attention immediately.
Symptoms of Ritalin
overdose may include: Agitation, confusion, convulsions
(may be followed by coma), delirium, dryness of mucous
membranes, enlarging of the pupil of the eye, exaggerated
feeling of elation, extremely elevated body temperature,
flushing, hallucinations, headache, high blood pressure,
irregular or rapid heartbeat, muscle twitching, sweating,
tremors, vomiting |
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