Ritalin Abuse

Q) What are the side effects of Ritalin?

A) The side effects of Ritalin addiction include but are not limited to:

drug addiction
nervousness and insomnia
loss of appetite
nausea and vomiting
dizziness
headaches
changes in heart rate and blood pressure (usually elevation of both, but occasionally depression)
skin rashes and itching
abdominal pain
weight loss
digestive problems
toxic psychosis
psychotic episodes
severe depression upon withdrawal

High doses of stimulants produce a predictable set of symptoms that include:

loss of appetite (may cause serious malnutrition)
tremors and muscle twitching
fevers, convulsions, and headaches (may be severe)
irregular heartbeat and respiration (may be profound and life threatening)
anxiety, restlessness
paranoia, hallucinations, and delusions
excessive repetition of movements and meaningless tasks
formicaton (sensation of bugs or worms crawling under the skin)

While death due to non-medical use of Ritalin is not common, it has been known to occur.

Q) What are the symptoms of Ritalin overdose?

A) Symptoms of Ritalin overdose may include: Agitation, confusion, convulsions (may be followed by coma), delirium, dryness of mucous membranes, enlarging of the pupil of the eye, exaggerated feeling of elation, extremely elevated body temperature, flushing, hallucinations, headache, high blood pressure, irregular or rapid heartbeat, muscle twitching, sweating, tremors, vomiting.

A growing number of youngsters taking the drug Ritalin® (methylphenidate) experience overdose, researchers report. The study looked at the frequency of Ritalin overdose cases reported to a regional poison control center in Detroit. Children ages 6 to 9 years were at the greatest risk of overdose, compared with other age groups. Over a two-year period, 289 cases were reported. Of these, 31% developed symptoms. Most common adverse effects included tachycardia, agitation and lethargy. Most cases were due to parents or caregivers unintentionally giving patients excessive amounts of the drug.