Ritalin (methylphenidate) is a central nervous system stimulant. It affects chemicals in the brain and nerves that contribute to hyperactivity and impulse control.

Ritalin is used to treat attention deficit disorder (ADD), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and narcolepsy.

Ritalin may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Important information

You should not use Ritalin if you have glaucoma, tics or Tourette’s syndrome, or severe anxiety, tension, or agitation.

Methylphenidate may be habit-forming, and this medicine is a drug of abuse. Tell your doctor if you have had problems with drug or alcohol abuse.

Stimulants have caused stroke, heart attack, and sudden death in people with high blood pressure, heart disease, or a heart defect.

Do not use Ritalin if you have used an MAO inhibitor in the past 14 days, such as isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue injection, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, or tranylcypromine.

Methylphenidate may cause new or worsening psychosis (unusual thoughts or behavior), especially if you have a history of depression, mental illness, or bipolar disorder.

You may have blood circulation problems that can cause numbness, pain, or discoloration in your fingers or toes.

Call your doctor right away if you have: signs of heart problems – chest pain, feeling light-headed or short of breath; signs of psychosis – paranoia, aggression, new behavior problems, seeing or hearing things that are not real; signs of circulation problems – unexplained wounds on your fingers or toes.

Before taking this medicine

Do not use Ritalin if you have used an MAO inhibitor in the past 14 days. A dangerous drug interaction could occur. MAO inhibitors include isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue injection, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, tranylcypromine, and others.

You may not be able to use Ritalin if you are allergic to methylphenidate, or if you have:

• glaucoma;
• a personal or family history of tics (muscle twitches) or Tourette’s syndrome; or
• severe anxiety, tension, or agitation (stimulant medicine can make these symptoms worse).

Stimulants have caused stroke, heart attack, and sudden death in certain people. Tell your doctor if you have:

• heart problems or a congenital heart defect;
• high blood pressure; or
• a family history of heart disease or sudden death.

To make sure Ritalin is safe for you, tell your doctor if you or anyone in your family has ever had:

• depression, mental illness, bipolar disorder, psychosis, or suicidal thoughts or actions;
• motor tics (muscle twitches) or Tourette’s syndrome;
• blood circulation problems in the hands or feet;
• seizures or epilepsy;
• problems with the esophagus, stomach, or intestines;
• an abnormal brain wave test (EEG); or
• a history of drug or alcohol addiction.
• side effect.
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  Ritalin Side Effects

  Generic Name: methylphenidate

  Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Jun 16, 2020.

  • Overview
  • Side Effects
  • Dosage
  • Professional
  • Interactions
  • More 

  • Professional
  • Managing Side Effects

  Note: This document contains side effect information about methylphenidate. Some of the dosage forms listed on this page may not apply to the brand name Ritalin.

  For the Consumer

  Applies to methylphenidate: oral capsule extended release, oral capsule extended release biphasic 30/70, oral capsule extended release biphasic 40/60, oral capsule extended release biphasic 50/50, oral powder for suspension extended release, oral solution, oral tablet, oral tablet chewable, oral tablet extended release, oral tablet extended release chewable, oral tablet extended release disintegrating

  Other dosage forms:

  • transdermal patch extended release

  Warning

  Oral route (Tablet, Extended Release, Disintegrating)

  CNS stimulants, including methylphenidate extended-release orally disintegrating tablets, other methylphenidate-containing products, and amphetamines, have a high potential for abuse and dependence. Assess the risk of abuse prior to prescribing, and monitor for signs of abuse and dependence while on therapy.

  Oral route (Powder for Suspension, Extended Release; Tablet, Extended Release Chewable; Capsule, Extended Release; Tablet; Tablet, Extended Release)

  Warning: Abuse and DependenceCNS stimulants, including methylphenidate hydrochloride, other methylphenidate-containing products, and amphetamines, have a high potential for abuse and dependence. Assess the risk of abuse prior to prescribing, and monitor for signs of abuse and dependence while on therapy. Use cautiously in patients with a history of drug dependence or alcoholism. Chronic abusive use can lead to marked tolerance and psychological dependence with varying degrees of abnormal behavior. Frank psychotic episodes can occur, especially with parenteral abuse. Careful supervision is required during withdrawal from abusive use since severe depression may occur. Withdrawal following chronic therapeutic use may unmask symptoms of the underlying disorder that may require follow-up.

  Oral route (Tablet, Chewable; Solution)

  Use caution when prescribing to patients with a history of drug dependence or alcoholism. Chronic abusive use can lead to marked tolerance and psychological dependence with abnormal behavior. Psychotic episodes can occur, especially with parenteral abuse. Carefully supervise withdrawal from abusive use to avoid the onset of severe depression. Follow-up may be required following withdrawal from chronic therapeutic use, as symptoms of the underlying disorder may emerge.

  Side effects requiring immediate medical attention

  Along with its needed effects, methylphenidate (the active ingredient contained in Ritalin) may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

  Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking methylphenidate: