Ritalin 20MG (methylphenidate) is a central nervous system stimulant medication used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and narcolepsy. The 20mg dosage is a common strength prescribed for adults and children with ADHD.
When taken as prescribed by a doctor, Ritalin can improve attention span, reduce hyperactivity, and improve impulse control in people with ADHD. However, it can also cause side effects, such as appetite suppression, insomnia, and nervousness.
It’s important to follow your doctor’s instructions carefully when taking Ritalin, and to report any side effects you experience. Ritalin is a controlled substance and should only be taken under the guidance of a healthcare professional.
You should not use Ritalin if you have glaucoma, tics or Tourette’s syndrome, or severe anxiety, tension, or agitation.
Ritalin 20MG 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.
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.
safety information
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 should not 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.
It is not known whether Ritalin will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.
Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
side effect
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.
- 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
Methylphenidate can affect growth in children.
Common Ritalin 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.