Ritalin Side Effects
Ritalin is commonly prescribed to children and adults who suffer from attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). In addition, Ritalin is commonly used to treat problems associated with traumatic brain injuries and narcolepsy, which makes a person extremely sleepy during the day. This prescription drug is a stimulant and it works by calming the patient and giving them the ability to focus and reduces impulsive behavior.
Most drugs have side effects and Ritalin is no different. Many parents that have children that take Ritalin for ADHD worry that repeated use of this drug could have a serious long-term impact. Doctors carefully monitor patients that take Ritalin throughout the treatment course. With careful supervision and medical care, it is unlikely that a patient will ever see serious side effects from Ritalin. However, it is always wise to be aware of the risks that could happen.
There are several common side effects that affect patients taking Ritalin. Most of these are mild and do not last long. These side effects include difficulty sleeping and loss of appetite. Many Ritalin users do loss some amount of weight when taking this drug. Irritability and nervousness are other common side effects. In addition, some patients report stomachaches, nausea, headaches and dry mouth when he or she takes Ritalin. Some also report feeling dizzy and begin to have tics or tremors.
There are also less common side effects when taking Ritalin. Hair loss, cardiac arrhythmia and anemia, and palpitations have been associated with taking Ritalin. Other side effects may include hair loss, hypersensitivity to the skin, anorexia and an increase or decrease in blood pressure. Less common even still are reports of liver function disorders and death.
In addition, serious side effects can occur when Ritalin is taken illegally. This is very common among teens and college aged students because Ritalin is easy to come by. Taken with other drugs and alcohol can result in comas and even death. It is important to keep drugs such as Ritalin away from anyone who is likely to abuse the drug. In addition, it is equally important for patients taking Ritalin to maintain regular check ups with his or her doctor for signs of side effects.
Disclaimer: Cliff Schaffer does not personally endorse or support any of the comments made within the writings of this article. |
