Pharmacy Editor: Eni Williams, PharmD, PhD
Ritalin (methylphenidate) is a central nervous system stimulant prescribed for treating narcolepsy (uncontrollable sleepiness), and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Ritalin is available as a generic drug. Common side effects of Ritalin include:
- nervousness,
- agitation,
- anxiety,
- sleep problems (insomnia),
- stomach pain,
- loss of appetite,
- weight loss,
- nausea,
- vomiting,
- dizziness,
- palpitations,
- headache,
- vision problems,
- increased heart rate,
- increased blood pressure,
- sweating,
- skin rash,
- psychosis, and
- numbness,
- tingling, or
- cold feeling in your hands or feet.
Ritalin recommended dose is 10-60 mg daily given in 2 or 3 divided doses. Ritalin may interact with blood thinners, clonidine, dobutamine, epinephrine, isoproterenol, cold/allergy medicine that contains phenylephrine (a decongestant), potassium citrate, sodium acetate, sodium bicarbonate, citric acid and potassium citrate, sodium citrate and citric acid, medications to treat high or low blood pressure, stimulant medications, diet pills, seizure medicines, or antidepressants. Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you use. There are no adequate studies of Ritalin in pregnant women. It is not known if methylphenidate is secreted in breast milk.Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.
Our Ritalin Side Effects Drug Center provides a comprehensive view of available drug information on the potential side effects when taking this medication. articles.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: 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;
- a seizure (convulsions);
- muscle twitches (tics);
- changes in your vision; or
- penis erection that is painful or lasts 4 hours or longer (rare).
Methylphenidate can affect growth in children. Tell your doctor if your child is not growing at a normal rate while using this medicine.
Common side effects may include:
- mood changes, feeling nervous or irritable, sleep problems (insomnia);
- fast heart rate, increased blood pressure;
- loss of appetite, weight loss;
- nausea, stomach pain; or
- headache.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Read the entire detailed patient monograph for Ritalin (Methylphenidate Hcl)
SIDE EFFECTS
The following are discussed in more detail in other sections of the labeling:
- Abuse and Dependence [see BOX WARNING , WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS , Drug Abuse And Dependence]
- Known hypersensitivity to methylphenidate or other ingredients of Ritalin and Ritalin-SR [see CONTRAINDICATIONS]
- Hypertensive crisis with Concomitant Use of Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors [see CONTRAINDICATIONS , DRUG INTERACTIONS]
- Serious Cardiovascular Reactions [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS]
- Blood Pressure and Heart Rate Increases [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS]
- Psychiatric Adverse Reactions [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS]
- Priapism [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS]
- Peripheral Vasculopathy, including Raynaud’s Phenomenon [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS]
- Long-term Suppression of Growth [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS]
The following adverse reactions associated with the use of all Ritalin, Ritalin-SR, and other methylphenidate products were identified in clinical trials, spontaneous reports, and literature. Because these reactions were reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to estimate their frequency reliably or to establish a causal relationship to drug exposure.
Adverse Reactions Reported With Ritalin And Ritalin-SR
Infections and Infestations: nasopharyngitis
Blood and the Lymphatic System Disorders: leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, anemia
Immune System Disorders: hypersensitivity reactions, including angioedema and anaphylaxis
Metabolism and Nutrition Disorders: decreased appetite, reduced weight gain, and suppression of growth during prolonged use in pediatric patients
Psychiatric Disorders: insomnia, anxiety, restlessness, agitation, psychosis (sometimes with visual and tactile hallucinations), depressed mood
Nervous System Disorders: headache, dizziness, tremor, dyskinesia including choreoatheetoid movements, drowsiness, convulsions, cerebrovascular disorders (including vasculitis, cerebral hemorrhages and cerebrovascular accidents), serotonin syndrome in combination with serotonergic drugs
Eye Disorders: blurred vision, difficulties in visual accommodation
Cardiac Disorders: tachycardia, palpitations, increased blood pressure, arrhythmias, angina pectoris
Respiratory, Thoracic and Mediastinal Disorders: cough
Gastrointestinal Disorders: dry mouth, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, dyspepsia
Hepatobiliary Disorders: abnormal liver function, ranging from transaminase elevation to severe hepatic injury
Skin and Subcutaneous Tissue Disorders: hyperhidrosis, pruritus, urticaria, exfoliative dermatitis, scalp hair loss, erythema multiforme rash, thrombocytopenic purpura
Musculoskeletal and Connective Tissue Disorders: arthralgia, muscle cramps, rhabdomyolysis
Investigations: weight loss (adult ADHD patients)
Additional Adverse Reactions Reported With Other Methylphenidate-Containing Products
The list below shows adverse reactions not listed for Ritalin and Ritalin-SR that have been reported with other methylphenidate-containing products.
Blood and Lymphatic Disorders: pancytopenia
Immune System Disorders: hypersensitivity reactions such as auricular swelling, bullous conditions, eruptions, exanthemas
Psychiatric Disorders: affect lability, mania, disorientation and libido
Nervous System Disorders: migraine
Eye Disorders: diplopia, mydriasis
Cardiac Disorders: sudden cardiac death, myocardial infarction, bradycardia, extrasystole
Vascular Disorders: peripheral coldness, Raynaud's phenomenon
Respiratory, Thoracic and Mediastinal Disorders: pharyngolaryngeal pain, dyspnea
Gastrointestinal Disorders: diarrhea, constipation
Skin and Subcutaneous Tissue Disorders: angioneurotic edema, erythema, fixed drug eruption
Musculoskeletal, Connective Tissue and bone Disorders: myalgia, muscle twitching
Renal and Urinary Disorders: hematuria
Reproductive System and Breast Disorders: gynecomastia
General Disorders: fatigue, hyperpyrexia
Urogenital Disorders: priapism
Read the entire FDA prescribing information for Ritalin (Methylphenidate Hcl)
Read the Ritalin User Reviews »
© Ritalin Patient Information is supplied by Cerner Multum, Inc. and Ritalin Consumer information is supplied by First Databank, Inc., used under license and subject to their respective copyrights.