| More and more children with attention deficit | | | | important that your doctor monitor carefully the height |
| hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are being prescribed | | | | and weight of your child. One of the side effects of |
| drugs to reduce their symptoms of restlessness, | | | | Ritalin is stunted growth in young children who are |
| impulsivity, and hyperactivity. Physicians and child | | | | taking the drug for a long time. Also, this drug should |
| psychiatrists usually prescribe psychostimulants, | | | | not be given to children younger than 6 years old. |
| antihypertensives, and antidepressive drugs. | | | | There is very limited data on the safety and |
| One of these drugs is methylphenidate, a stimulant | | | | effectiveness of this drug among very young children. |
| drug with the brand name of Ritalin. Aside from ADHD, | | | | Taking Ritalin for a long time and at high doses may |
| this drug is used to treat narcolepsy (an uncontrollable | | | | result to addiction. It is also possible to develop |
| desire to sleep) in adults and to treat depression and | | | | tolerance, and higher doses are then needed to |
| social withdrawal in the elderly. This drug is presumed | | | | produce an effect. |
| to activate the brain stem, resulting to improved | | | | This drug should not be prescribed for those |
| alertness, concentration, and attention span. | | | | experiencing anxiety, tension, and agitation. Ritalin might |
| This drug is available by prescription only. Before you | | | | aggravate these symptoms. Children whose |
| start taking any medications, a doctor must be | | | | symptoms may be due to stress or an underlying |
| consulted. Side effects, when they occur, must be | | | | psychiatric condition should not use this drug. When |
| reported immediately. | | | | taking other medications, it is best to check with your |
| What are the common Ritalin side effects? | | | | doctor if you may take Ritalin. Ritalin may increase, |
| Nervousness and insomnia, or the inability to sleep, are | | | | decrease, or otherwise alter the effects of certain |
| the most common adverse effects experienced. If | | | | medications. |
| your child has difficulty falling asleep, you may give his | | | | Remember, when taking this drug, you should carefully |
| last dose before 6 pm to minimize this problem | | | | follow the instructions given by your doctor. This would |
| Other patients experience hypersensitivity reactions. | | | | lessen the risk for developing side effects. It is |
| This usually appears as skin rash, urticaria, fever, and | | | | recommended that the drug be taken before meals |
| joint pains. Loss of appetite and stomachache also | | | | and at equally spaced intervals. Since it is very difficult |
| occur frequently. | | | | to predict who will develop side effects, you should be |
| Among elderly users, common complaints include | | | | carefully monitoring for signs of these adverse effects. |
| changes in blood pressure and pulse rate. Rarely, a | | | | If you or your child develops Ritalin side effects, inform |
| condition called Tourette's syndrome develops. This is | | | | your doctor immediately. He may decrease the |
| a disorder where the patient has body movements | | | | dosage given or shift you to another medication. Your |
| and outbursts which are beyond his control. | | | | doctor should also be the one to make the decision on |
| When giving this drug to very young patients, it is | | | | whether to discontinue taking the medication. |