Ritalin: functions, dosage, side effects, how to use

Use

What is the drug Ritalin used for?

Ritalin is a stimulant drug that contains the active ingredient methylphenidate. This drug works by affecting the central nervous system to increase dopamine levels in the brain. Dopamine is a chemical that has been linked to feeling happy, calm, and happy.

Doctors may prescribe this medication for attention deficit disorder (ADD) therapy, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and narcolepsy sleep disorder. Ritalin can also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Ritalin is a strong drug that is only available by prescription and must be used with extreme caution. People who are prescribed this medicine should also be closely monitored by a doctor because it has a high potential for causing dangerous side effects, such as addiction.

How do you use Ritalin?

Do not use this medication too much, little, and for longer than recommended.

This drug is available in tablet and capsule form. Ritalin in tablet form should be taken at least 30 to 45 minutes before meals.

Meanwhile, in the form of an Extended-release (slow-acting) capsule, this drug can be taken before or after meals. Ask your doctor what kind of medicine you will take.

It is not recommended that you crush, chew, or crush the drug as this can actually trigger dangerous side effects. Swallow the drug whole with the help of a glass of water.

So that you can feel the optimal benefits, take this medicine regularly. To help you remember, take this medication at the same time each day.

The dosage is adjusted according to the medical condition and the patient's response to treatment. That is why, the dosage of medicine for each person can be different. You should not give this drug to other people even if they have a similar condition.

In addition, also make sure that you use this drug for the length of time prescribed by your doctor. Do not stop medication suddenly because this can trigger withdrawal symptoms, which are marked by depression, drastic mood swings, and suicidal thoughts.

If you miss a dose, take this medication as soon as you remember. If you remember just before the time of your next dose, do not take the double dose. Instead, continue with the usual dosing schedule.

Patients who use this drug for a long time and at high doses are most prone to experience withdrawal symptoms. Therefore, always consult your doctor first before you decide to stop taking this drug.

Your doctor may ask you to reduce or increase the dose gradually. Make sure the dose of the drug you are taking is the same as recommended by your doctor.

How to store Ritalin?

Ritalin is a stimulant drug that should be stored at room temperature. Keep away from direct light and damp places. Don't keep it in the bathroom. Don't freeze it.

Other brands of this drug may have different storage rules. Observe the storage instructions on the product package or ask your pharmacist. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.

Do not flush medicines down the toilet or down the drain unless instructed to do so. Discard this product when it has expired or when it is no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company about how to safely dispose of your product.

Dose

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor or pharmacist before starting treatment.

What is the dose of Ritalin for adults?

The dosage for each person can be different. This is because the dosage is adjusted to the health condition and the patient's response to treatment. Please consult a doctor for more information.

• To treat ADHD, the recommended dose of the drug is 20-30 mg orally 2-3 times a day. The dose can be increased weekly in increments of 5 to 10 mg. The maximum dose is 60 mg per day.
• Meanwhile, to treat sleep disorders narcolepsy, the recommended dosage ranges from 10 to 60 mg every day. We recommend that you drink the medicine 30 to 45 minutes before eating.

It is important to understand that this drug has a high potential for addiction. Especially in people who were previously addicted to drugs or alcohol. In order to avoid these risks, take the medicine exactly as prescribed by your doctor.

Tell your doctor or pharmacist immediately if your condition does not improve or gets worse. Your doctor may give you other drugs that are more suitable and safer for your condition.

What is the dosage of Ritalin for children?

Dosage for children is based on their age and body weight. Doctors also consider the child's health condition and response to medications. Therefore, the dosage of medicine for each child can be different. To find out the exact dosage, please consult directly to a doctor.

In what preparations is this drug available?

This drug is available in various forms. Starting from tablets, capsules, oral fluids, and so on.

Side effects

What are the possible side effects of Ritalin?

This drug has the potential to cause side effects from mild to severe. Some of the most common side effects of using the drug Ritalin are:

• Dizzy
• Mild headaches
• Nausea and vomiting
• Stomach ache
• Insomnia
• Decreased appetite
• Sweating
• A sensation of numbness, tingling, or coldness in the hands or feet
• Feelings of nervousness
• Weight loss

Stop using the drug and contact your doctor right away if you have any of the following serious side effects:

• Heart palpitations
• Irregular heartbeat
• Feelings like wanting to pass out
• Restlessness, hallucinations, unusual behavior such as being more aggressive
• Changes in mood
• Uncontrolled muscle movements such as twitching or shaking
• Significant mood swings
• Hard to breathe
• Chest pain
• Confused and dazed
• A severe allergic reaction, characterized by itching all over the body;
• swelling of the throat, lips and face; reddish rash on the skin; difficulty breathing; and severe dizziness.

Not everyone experiences side effects when using this drug. There may also be some side effects not mentioned above. If you have concerns about certain side effects, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Warnings & Precautions

What should be known before using Ritalin?

This medicine must be used with caution. Some of the things you need to know before using Ritalin are:

• Tell your doctor and pharmacist if you have any allergies to this drug or other stimulant drugs. Ask your doctor about the list of ingredients in this drug.
• Tell your doctor and pharmacist if you have recently been taking certain medications. Whether it's prescription drugs, non-prescription drugs, to herbal products. Especially if you are using drugs that are monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors.
• Tell your doctor and pharmacist if you have or are experiencing glaucoma, high blood pressure, thyroid disease, depression, bipolar disorder, and so on.
• Tell your doctor and pharmacist if you have a history of heart disease, heart attack, stroke, or other heart problems.
• Tell your doctor if you have a history of neurological diseases, such as Tourette Syndrome, seizures, and epilepsy
• Tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are pregnant, planning for amil, or are breastfeeding.
• Tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are going to have surgery in the near future, including dental surgery.

Be sure to follow all doctor's advice and / or therapist's instructions. Your doctor may need to change your medication dose or monitor you carefully to prevent certain side effects.

Is Ritalin safe for pregnant and lactating women?

There is no adequate research on the risks of using this drug in pregnant or breastfeeding women. Always consult your doctor to weigh the potential benefits and risks before using this medication. This drug is included in the risk of pregnancy category C according to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the United States, or the equivalent of the Food and Drug Administration (BPOM) in Indonesia.

The following references the pregnancy risk categories according to the FDA:

• A = Not at risk
• B = No risk in several studies
• C = May be risky
• D = There is positive evidence of risk
• X = Contraindicated,
• N = Unknown

This medicine passes into breast milk and can harm the baby. That is why you should not breastfeed while being treated with this medicine.

In principle, always consult your doctor or midwife before using any medicine, if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning a pregnancy. This is done to prevent various dangerous side effects that can be fatal.

Drug Interactions

What medicines should not be taken at the same time as Ritalin?

Drug interactions can change the performance of your medications or increase the risk of serious side effects. Not all possible drug interactions are listed in this document. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription / non-prescription drugs and herbal products) and consult your doctor or pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any medication without your doctor's approval.

A number of drugs that have the potential to cause negative interactions with Ritalin are:

• Monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors, including isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam, Zelapar), and tranylcypromine (Parnate)
• Anticoagulants (blood thinners) such as warfarin
• Antidepressants such as clomipramine (Anafranil), desipramine (Norpramin), and imipramine (Tofranil)
• Decongestants
• Medication for high blood pressure
• Medicines for seizures such as phenobarbital, phenytoin (Dilantin), and primidone (Mysoline)
• Methyldopa (Aldomet)
• Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) such as citalopram (Celexa), escitalopram (Lexapro), fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem, at Symbyax), fluvoxamine (Luvox), paroxetine (Paxil), and sertraline (Zoloft)
• Venlafaxine (Effexor)
• Antacids

There may be other drugs that have not been mentioned above. Please consult a doctor for more information.

What foods and drinks should not be consumed when using Ritalin?

Certain drugs should not be used with meals or when eating certain foods because drug interactions can occur.

Consuming alcohol or tobacco with certain drugs can also cause interactions to occur. Discuss your use of drugs with food, alcohol, or tobacco with your health care provider.

What health conditions may interact with Methylphenidate?

The presence of other health problems in your body may affect the use of this medicine. Tell your doctor if you have other health problems, such as:

• Chronic anxiety disorder
• Depression
• Glaucoma
• Tourette syndrome
• Have or are currently experiencing alcohol and drug abuse
• alcohol abuse, including history
• Angina pectoris (chest pain)
• Arrhythmia
• Heart attack
• Heart failure
• Hypertension
• Hyperthyroidism
• Bipolar disorder
• Blood vessel problems (for example, Raynaud's disease)
• Coronary artery disease
• Stroke, history
• Cystic fibrosis
• Bowel obstruction
• Peritonitis
• Short bowel syndrome

Overdose

What should I do in an emergency or overdose?

In case of an emergency or overdose, contact the local emergency services provider (119) or immediately to the nearest hospital emergency department.

When someone has an overdose, they will usually experience typical symptoms such as:

• Too low blood pressure (hypotension) which makes the head dizzy
• Fainting
• Fast and irregular heartbeat
• Slower than normal heart rate

What should I do if I miss a dose?

If you forget a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, when it is nearing the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to the usual dosing schedule. Don't double the dose.