Does Ritalin Have Side Effects?
My child has just been diagnosed with ADHD, and the doctor put him on Ritalin. Are there any side effects I should be concerned about?
– Elena
Ritalin is just one of a many medications widely used by physicians to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Ritalin, also known as methylphenidate, works by allowing children with ADHD to concentrate and focus at school and at home.
As with other psychostimulants, each child can respond somewhat differently. Many kids using Ritalin have few, if any, side effects. Others experience side effects like stomachaches, insomnia, decreased appetite, growth problems, irritability, and blood pressure problems.
To learn more about ADHD, various treatments, and possible side effects, talk to your doctor.
For more information, check out these articles:
Could ADHD Be Hereditary?
What Is ADHD?
For Teens: ADHD Medications
Reviewed by: Larissa Hirsch, MD
Date reviewed: June 2007
Originally reviewed by: Neil Izenberg, MD
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