Ritalin® (Methylphenidate)

Methylphenidate, which is manufactured under the brand name of Ritalin®, is a stimulant. The photo on the left is a life-size photo of three doses of Ritalin®. They are from the top, 5 mg, 10 mg and 20 mg tablets. Many generic brands of Ritalin will also be yellow in the 5 mg tablet dosage and green in the 10 mg, most generic brands will be in the same or close colors to them, but they can vary. There is also an extended-release form in 20 mg.

Ritalin® is a stimulant that produces pharmacological effects similar to those of cocaine and amphetamines and it is prescribed to treat (ADHD), attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, ADD and other conditions. Unlike other stimulants, however, MPH (its shortened chemical name) has not been produced by drug dealers in homemade labs, probably because it is an inexpensive, available medication with a prescription, even though it is a controlled substance.

In this article we are NOT discussing the use of Ritalin when prescribed for ADHD, but about the ABUSE of this substance by young people for recreational purposes. (For more on ADD and ADHD, see the links below).

A growing number of incidents of abuse have been associated with teens and young adults using MPH for its stimulant effects: appetite suppression, wakefulness, increased attentiveness, increased focus, and euphoria. Many teens are using it for weight reduction since it is a powerful appetite suppressant.

The drug has been named with the street name of: “Vitamin R”, “R-Ball” and the “Smart Drug”. It is inexpensive to purchase from friends or dealers for anywhere from 50 cents to one dollar per pill and up to 5 dollars per pill.

The drug is prescribed to approximately 2.5 million children for ADD/ADHD, according to Ciba-Geigy, but this has been a very controversial drug and topic over the past several years. We are not promoting this drug, just providing information about the potential abuse of it.

Consult with your health care provider if you are concerned about taking Ritalin®. All drugs used correctly have their place and all can be abused if not used correctly and treated with RESPECT!

The dramatic increase in the U.S. production and consumption of this drug in recent years can largely be attributed to its increased use for the treatment of ADHD in children. A growing number of incidents of abuse have been associated with adolescents, young adults and college students who are using the drug for its stimulant effects. It is being used for appetite suppression in many teenagers with eating disorders who have gotten the pills from friends. In college students it is being used as a stimulant to help them stayed focused and awake (for long nights of studying) and for parents of children prescribed the drug for ADHD, it is often being used as a stimulant and appetite suppressant. (Need to stay awake? See “ Caffeine”).

Excessive doses of Ritalin over a long period of time can produce addiction. It is also possible to develop tolerance to the drug, so that larger doses are needed to produce the original effect. (Ritalin is also occasionally used in adults to treat narcolepsy — an uncontrollable sleeping disorder).

Side Effects

 Inability to fall or stay asleep
  Nervousness
 Loss of appetite
  Headache
  Increased blood pressure
  Increased heart rate

Less common side effects may include:

 Abdominal pain
 Abnormal heartbeat
 Abnormal muscular movements
  Chest pain
 Dizziness
 Seizures
  Psychosis
 Stroke

Usage

Tablets are either taken orally or after they are crushed into a powder. The powder form is snorted. Some users dissolve the tablets with water and inject the mixture.

Complications from injection are common since the fillers that used in MPH are not soluble in water and when injected they can block small blood vessels causing damage to the lungs and retina!