What is Ritalin?
Methylphenidate, usually known by the trade name Ritalin, is
one medicine used to treat the symptoms of Attention Deficit
Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Some children with ADHD do
well using behavior training methods, and may not need a
medicine. For other children, Ritalin can improve
attention, focus, goal-directed behavior, and organizational
skills. As with any medicine, there are pros and cons to
its use.
How does Ritalin work?
Ritalin is a stimulant medicine. Since children with ADHD
are already over-stimulated, it is hard to understand how a
stimulant drug will help to calm them down. Researchers
think that the area of the brain that controls when to pay
attention to certain activities and when to ignore other
ones is immature and works poorly in people with ADHD.
Ritalin stimulates those areas of the brain so that the
child can better pay attention and focus on his activities.
What are the pros?
Ritalin works quickly so you'll know if it will help or not.
The dosage may have to be adjusted by your health care
provider. It is fairly inexpensive and has been used for
many years. If your child is having problems with
attention, focus, and being overactive in school, stimulant
medicine may provide some relief. Benefits of Ritalin often
include:
less trouble finishing classwork and homework
less fidgeting or squirming
better control of emotions
less impatience and impulsiveness
better relationship with family and friends
increased self-esteem.
What are the cons?
Many parents do not like the idea of medicating their child
for any length of time. As with any medicine, Ritalin can
have side effects. Some children will have few or no side
effects. Other children may have to stop using Ritalin
because of the side effects.
Some common side effects include:
decrease in appetite
headaches
insomnia
irritability
stomachaches.
Some children may become more active in the evening after
the medicine has worn off. This can be an ordeal for
families who are tired and stressed out at the end of the
day. Some children will have problems sleeping.
Rarely, Ritalin causes high blood pressure, weight loss, or
growth delays. One to two percent of children on stimulant
medicine may make tics worse. Tics are twitching movements of
muscles in the face. They go away if the medicine is
stopped. A few children who take Ritalin don't like the way
it makes them feel. Most, however, like being better able
to concentrate on schoolwork and control their activity
level.
About 25% of children with ADHD do not respond to Ritalin,
although some of these children will benefit from other ADHD
medicines.
Should my child take Ritalin?
There are several treatment approaches for ADHD other than
medicine, such as:
Discuss the decision to medicate your child with your
child's health care providers, school counselors, and
teachers. Decide with your doctor if your child's symptoms
are causing enough problems that a trial of this medicine is
needed.
Ritalin is not a cure. There is no cure for ADHD, though
medicine can help manage some of the symptoms. If you
decide to try Ritalin, plan a 1 to 4 week trial period. Your
child is usually given a small dose at first, so it may be
necessary to increase the dose. Be sure to have several
people that interact with your child complete rating scales
that relate to ADHD behavior after your child has been on
the medication for a few weeks. Even if you do decide to try
Ritalin, be sure to seek educational and behavioral methods
that may help your child as well.
