What is Ritalin (methylphenidate) ?
Ritalin (methylphenidate)
The information below is not the opinion of Games for Life, merely statements from the NHS NICE Clinical Guidelines for ADHD see for finer information www.nice.org.uk/CG72
Ritalin tablets contain the active ingredient methylphenidate hydrochloride, which is a type of medicine called a stimulant. It is used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children
Stimulants are related to amphetamines, which might make them seem an odd choice for treating hyperactive children, because stimulants increase activity in the brain and normally make people more alert and active. However, stimulants at the doses used for ADHD have the opposite effect.
Methylphenidate works by affecting some of the natural chemicals that are found in the brain. In particular, it increases the activity of chemicals called dopamine and noradrenaline in areas of the brain that play a part in controlling attention and behaviour. These areas seem to be underactive in children with ADHD. It is thought increasing the activity of these chemicals improves the function of these underactive parts of the brain. We still don’t fully understand how stimulants work in children with ADHD, and they don’t work for everyone. But they can be very useful at helping some children to learn to control their behaviour.
Methylphenidate is not used for all children with ADHD. It is used as part of a comprehensive treatment programme for ADHD that includes psychotherapy and behavioural management techniques, and is only used in children in whom these treatments have proved to be insufficient on their own. It should only be used under the supervision of a specialist in childhood behavioural disorders, and only after the severity of the child’s symptoms has been thoroughly assessed.
Warnings, Precautions and Side effects
This medicine may cause drowsiness and dizziness. If affected, children should avoid activities that could be potentially hazardous, such as operating machinery or riding bikes.
Alcohol should be avoided while taking this medicine.
If there has been no improvement in the child’s symptoms after one month of treatment with this medicine it should be stopped. Where symptoms have improved, the medicine should be stopped from time to time, usually at least once a year, so that the child’s condition can be assessed, and to check if the medicine is still needed. However, in both cases, this medicine must not be stopped suddenly without your doctor’s advice, as this could unmask symptoms such as depression and over activity in the child. When stopping treatment, the medicine should be withdrawn gradually, following the instructions given by your doctor.
Children taking this medicine for long periods of time should have their height, weight and appetite regularly checked every six months. If your child is not growing or gaining weight satisfactorily, your doctor may suggest breaks from the medicine to allow growth to catch up. Your child’s blood pressure and heart rate (pulse) should also be monitored at least every six months and after any dose changes, particularly if your child has existing high blood pressure. Children should also have periodic blood tests to make sure there are no problems with their blood cells.
If your child experiences any heart palpitations, chest pain when exercising, or shortness of breath, or if they faint for no apparent reason, you should let your doctor know straight away.
You should also tell your doctor if any other symptoms or side effects are experienced during treatment. In particular, children and adolescents taking this medicine should be encouraged to report any new or worsening distressing thoughts or feelings, anxiety, agitation, irritability, depression, mood changes, or other unusual change in behaviour that they may experience after starting this medicine. If you are worried about your child at any point it is important to talk to your doctor immediately.
This medicine has very rarely been associated with liver problems. For this reason, parents of children taking this medicine should be aware of the symptoms of liver problems, and inform your doctor if they are experienced during treatment. Symptoms that could indicate liver problems include unexplained itching, nausea and vomiting, right-sided abdominal pain, loss of appetite or flu-like symptoms; yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice); or unusually dark urine.
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