Ritalin Side Effects: No Treatment is Perfect
While no drug is without its side effects, it is understandable that many people want the benefit of a good drug without having to worry about side effects. However, we live in an imperfect world, and it is not reasonable to expect drugs without side effects, especially those which have the kind of impact that Ritalin has on the body and the mind. Ritalin side effects may be many or few, depending on the person taking the medicine. Some people are more sensitive to the drug than others, and may experience a more dramatic effect from taking Ritalin. If Ritalin side effects are quite dramatic, you may want to talk to your doctor about reducing dosage or trying another drug.
Common Ritalin side effects include: loss of appetite, sleep disruption, anxiety, depression, and increased blood pressure. Many of these Ritalin side effects are aggravated by an already high use of caffeine. This is common among young people who drink colas and eat chocolate. Therefore, to reduce these Ritalin side effects, it is a good idea to eliminate these substances from the diet before giving the drug to your child. Most of these Ritalin side effects are also temporary in nature and "wear off" as the body get used to the drug. Loss of appetite usually clears up in a few days or weeks, and a child resumes eating normally. If this does not happen, see your doctor about adjusting the dose. Many parents are concerned about Ritalin side effects that may interfere with normal functioning, such as sleep. It is a good idea to give Ritalin early in the day so the child's sleep pattern is not interrupted.
You will want to check blood pressure to ensure that Ritalin side effects are not compromising your child's health. However, blood pressure is usually not affected to the degree that it can cause serious problems. Rare side effects include psychosis, and while this is not common, it is very treatable by adjusting dosages. Be alert to your child's behavior for common Ritalin Side effects.
Disclaimer: Cliff Schaffer does not personally endorse or support any of the comments made within the writings of this article. |
