Ritalin

Ritalin - Methylphenidate

Ritalin, or methylphenidate, is the most commonly used drug in the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD. Although actually being a stimulant, methylphenidate has been shown to reduce impulsive and hyperactive behavior and increase the attentiveness of those with ADHD to whom it has been prescribed. Ritalin helps those with ADHD to calm down and to keep their behavior under control.

Ritalin has become increasing popular in recent years due to the growing amount of youngsters with ADHD. Although the factors leading to the growth of ADHD are debated and researched heavily, the fact remains that the number of children with ADHD has increased exponentially in a short amount of time. Ritalin’s ability to help keep behavior under control makes it especially popular for children and teens in school since it makes them more able to behave in the classroom and also helps them to stay attentive so they can learn and study more efficiently.

Possible side effects of Ritalin include reduced appetite, headaches, upset stomachs, loss of sleep, anxiety, depression, irritability, paranoia, and increased blood pressure. However, taken with the prescribed doses, Ritalin has repeatedly proven to be a very safe, effective drug and the side effects of Ritalin have generally not been serious nor common. This is quite contrary to the many allegations brought forth by the media against Ritalin trying to discredit the drug. When used correctly, research has shown that Ritalin is a very safe drug to take.

The primary attacks against Ritalin have resulted mainly due to the abuses of it. Since Ritalin has become such a commonly prescribed drug due to the rise of ADHD, the cases of abuse of Ritalin have grown substantially as well. This is caused by Ritalin’s ability of giving a “high.” While the drug is safe when used as prescribed, those without ADHD or those using higher doses than recommended, either by mistake or to achieve the “high” that Ritalin offers, will find themselves in some fairly heavy risk.

Abusing Ritalin can leave one with a variety of effects. Most commonly, abuse of the drug will lead to a temporary high level of alertness followed by being extremely tired. Headaches, dizziness, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, and an irregular heartbeat are all side effects that usually accompany Ritalin abuse. Even low doses of Ritalin can produce a “high,” but large doses can be especially dangerous because they can lead to hallucinations, seizures, and even comas.