Ritalin is a brand-name drug prescribed for ADHD and narcolepsy. It’s available in the following forms: Ritalin oral tablet and Ritalin LA extended-release oral capsule. Ritalin belongs to the stimulant drug class.

Ritalin and Ritalin LA are FDA-approved to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Doctors prescribe Ritalin for adults and children ages 6 years and older. They prescribe Ritalin LA for children ages 6–12 years.

Ritalin is also FDA-approved to treat narcolepsy in adults and children ages 6 years and older.

Throughout this article, we use the term “Ritalin” to describe both forms of the drug.

Drug details

You’ll find key information about Ritalin below.

  • Drug forms: Ritalin oral tablet and Ritalin LA extended-release* oral capsule
  • Generic available? Yes
  • Prescription required? Yes
  • Controlled substance? Yes
  • Year of FDA approval: 1955

* “Extended-release” means the drug is long-acting and slowly releases into your body over a long period of time.

Ritalin and Ritalin LA are brand-name drugs that contain the active drug methylphenidate. This active drug is also available as a generic medication. A generic drug is an exact copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication.

The generic is considered to be as safe and effective as the original drug. Generics tend to cost less than brand-name drugs.

If you’re interested in using the generic form of Ritalin or Ritalin LA, talk with your doctor. They can tell you whether it comes in forms and strengths to treat your condition.

You may wonder how Ritalin compares with other medications doctors prescribe for similar uses. To find out how Ritalin compares to Adderall, see this article.

Ritalin can cause mild or serious side effects. The following lists contain some of the key side effects that may occur while taking Ritalin. These lists do not include all possible side effects.

For more information about the possible side effects of Ritalin, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can give you tips on how to manage any side effects that may be concerning or bothersome.

Note: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) tracks side effects of drugs it has approved. If you’d like to notify the FDA about a side effect you’ve had with Ritalin, you can do so through MedWatch.

Mild side effects

Below is a partial list of mild side effects of Ritalin. To learn about other mild side effects, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. You can also review the prescribing information for Ritalin and Ritalin LA.

Mild side effects of Ritalin can include:

Most of these side effects may go away within a few days to a couple of weeks. However, if they become more severe or don’t go away, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

* For more information about allergic reaction and Ritalin, see the “Allergic reaction” section below.

Serious side effects

Serious side effects from Ritalin aren’t common, but they can occur. Call your doctor right away if you have serious side effects. Call 911 or your local emergency number if your symptoms feel life threatening or if you think you’re having a medical emergency.

Serious side effects and their symptoms can include:

  • Heart and blood vessel problems, which may lead to heart attack or stroke. Symptoms can include:
    • shortness of breath
    • chest pain or tightness
    • weakness in an arm or leg on one side of your body
    • trouble speaking
  • Mental health conditions, such as anxiety, psychosis, or bipolar disorder. Symptoms can include:
    • excessive worrying
    • mania (moments of extremely high energy and excitement)
    • delusions (believing things that aren’t true)
    • loss of touch with reality
  • Priapism. Symptoms can include:
    • painful erection
    • prolonged erection, usually lasting more than 4 hours
  • Problems with circulation in your fingers or toes, including Raynaud’s phenomenon. Symptoms can include:
    • pain, swelling, numbness, or discoloration in your fingers or toes
  • Increased blood pressure, which doesn’t typically cause symptoms.
  • Risk of misuse and dependence.*
  • Severe allergic reaction.†

* Ritalin and Ritalin LA have a boxed warning for this side effect. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the FDA. To learn more, see the “Ritalin misuse and dependence” section below.
† For details about allergic reaction and Ritalin, see the “Allergic reaction” section below.

Side effects in children

Ritalin is approved to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and narcolepsy in children ages 6 years and older. Ritalin LA is approved to treat ADHD in children ages 6–12 years.

Most side effects of Ritalin and Ritalin LA are similar in children and adults. Examples of these are listed above.

In addition, side effects such as reduced appetite may lead to slowed growth in children. For this reason, your child’s doctor will monitor your child’s height and weight during treatment with Ritalin or Ritalin LA. If your child’s doctor finds signs of slowed growth, they may have your child stop taking the drug.

If you’re concerned about the side effects of Ritalin or Ritalin LA in children, talk with your child’s doctor or pharmacist.

Allergic reaction

As with most drugs, some people can have an allergic reaction after taking Ritalin. This side effect wasn’t reported in clinical trials of Ritalin or Ritalin LA but has occurred since the drugs were approved.

Symptoms of a mild allergic reaction can include:

A more severe allergic reaction is rare but possible. Symptoms of a severe allergic reaction can include:

  • swelling under your skin, typically in your eyelids, lips, hands, or feet
  • swelling of your tongue, mouth, or throat
  • trouble breathing

Call your doctor right away if you have an allergic reaction to Ritalin, as the reaction could become severe. Call 911 or your local emergency number if your symptoms feel life threatening or if you think you’re having a medical emergency.

The Ritalin dosage your doctor prescribes will depend on several factors. These include:

  • the severity of the condition you’re using Ritalin to treat
  • your age
  • the form of Ritalin you take
  • the side effects you may have

The following information describes dosages that are commonly used or recommended. However, be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. Your doctor will determine the best dosage to fit your needs.

Drug forms and strengths

Ritalin comes in the following forms and strengths:

  • Ritalin oral tablet, which is available in the following strengths:
    • 5 milligrams (mg)
    • 10 mg
    • 20 mg
  • Ritalin LA extended-release* oral capsule, which is available in the following strengths:
    • 10 mg
    • 20 mg
    • 30 mg
    • 40 mg

* “Extended release” means the drug is long-acting and slowly releases into your body over a long period of time.

Dosage for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

Ritalin is approved to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

For this use, the recommended adult dosage of Ritalin is 20–30 mg per day. You’ll divide this into two or three daily doses as directed by your doctor. Each dose should be taken 30–45 minutes before a meal.

The maximum recommended dosage of Ritalin for ADHD is 60 mg per day.

Dosage for narcolepsy

Ritalin is approved to treat narcolepsy.

For this use, the recommended adult dosage of Ritalin is 20–30 mg per day. You’ll divide this into two or three daily doses as directed by your doctor. Each dose should be taken 30–45 minutes before a meal.

The maximum recommended dosage of Ritalin for narcolepsy is 60 mg per day.

Children’s dosage

Doctors prescribe Ritalin for ADHD and narcolepsy in children ages 6 years and older. They prescribe Ritalin LA for ADHD in children ages 6–12 years.

For ADHD and narcolepsy in children, the usual starting dosage of Ritalin is 5 mg twice per day. Each dose is typically taken 30–45 minutes before breakfast and lunch. Your child’s doctor may increase their Ritalin dosage to a maximum of 60 mg per day.

For ADHD in children, the usual starting dosage of Ritalin LA is 10–20 mg once per day, taken with or without food. Your child’s doctor may increase their Ritalin LA dosage to a maximum of 60 mg per day.

About taking Ritalin

Below you’ll find information about key dosage issues.

  • When to take: You’ll take Ritalin oral tablets two to three times per day. To help prevent insomnia as a side effect, it’s recommended to take your last dose 4–5 hours before bedtime. You’ll take Ritalin LA oral capsules once daily when you wake up, usually in the morning.
  • If you miss a dose: If you miss a dose of Ritalin or Ritalin LA in the morning, take it as soon as you can. However, if it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose. Then take your next dose at its usual time. When possible, avoid taking missed doses of Ritalin or Ritalin LA in the late afternoon or evening. Doing so can increase your risk of insomnia as a side effect.
  • Taking Ritalin with food: You’ll take Ritalin oral tablets 30–45 minutes before a meal. This is because taking this form of the drug with food could make it less effective. You can take Ritalin LA oral capsules with or without food.
  • Crushing, splitting, or chewing Ritalin: Ritalin oral tablets should not be crushed, split, or chewed. You’ll swallow them whole. Ritalin LA oral capsules should not be crushed or chewed. However, if you have trouble swallowing them whole, you can open the capsules and sprinkle their contents onto a spoonful of applesauce. You’ll consume the mixture right away. You can see suggestions for swallowing tablets and capsules in this article, or talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
  • Length of use: Ritalin is meant to be a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that Ritalin is safe and effective for you, you’ll likely take it long term.

Overdose

Taking more than the recommended dosage of Ritalin can lead to serious side effects. Do not take more Ritalin than your doctor recommends.

Overdose symptoms

Symptoms of an overdose can include:

What to do in case of overdose

If you think you’ve taken too much of this drug, call your doctor. You can also call America’s Poison Centers at 800-222-1222 or use its online tool. However, if your symptoms are severe, call 911 or your local emergency number, or go to the nearest emergency room right away.

You may wonder how Ritalin compares with other medications that doctors prescribe for similar uses. To find out how Ritalin compares to Concerta, see this article.

Other drugs are available that can treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and narcolepsy. Some may be a better fit for you than others. If you’re interested in finding an alternative to Ritalin, talk with your doctor. They can tell you about other medications that may work well for you.

The following drugs are similar to Ritalin:

* In certain countries, dextroamphetamine is known as dexamphetamine.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves prescription drugs such as Ritalin to treat certain conditions. Doctors may also prescribe Ritalin off-label for other conditions. Off-label drug use is when an FDA-approved drug is prescribed for a purpose other than what it’s approved for.

Ritalin for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

Ritalin is approved to treat ADHD in adults and children ages 6 years and older. Ritalin LA is approved for this use in children ages 6–12 years.

ADHD is a mental health condition that causes inattention, hyperactive behaviors, or both. Other symptoms may include a lack of attention to detail, talking excessively, and disruptive behaviors such as interrupting conversations.

You can learn more about this condition by visiting our ADHD hub.

Ritalin for narcolepsy

Ritalin is approved for treating narcolepsy in adults and children ages 6 years and older. Ritalin LA is not approved for this use.

Narcolepsy is a sleep disorder that causes excessive daytime sleepiness despite getting enough rest. Other symptoms can include sudden muscle weakness, sleep paralysis, and hallucinations while falling asleep.

You can learn more about this condition by visiting our science of sleep hub.

Ritalin and children

Ritalin is approved to treat ADHD and narcolepsy in children ages 6 years and older. Ritalin LA is approved to treat ADHD in children ages 6–12 years.

To learn more about these conditions, see the “Ritalin for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)” and “Ritalin for narcolepsy” sections above. You can also talk with your child’s doctor.

Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about Ritalin.

How long does Ritalin last?

How long Ritalin lasts depends on the form you take.

Ritalin oral tablet is an immediate-release form of the drug. “Immediate release” means the drug is short-acting and quickly releases into your body after you take it. Each dose of Ritalin oral tablet lasts about 4 hours.

Ritalin LA oral capsule is an extended-release form of the drug. “Extended release” means the drug is long-acting and slowly releases into your body over a long period of time. Each dose of Ritalin LA oral capsule lasts about 8 hours.

If you have additional questions about how long Ritalin lasts, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Can Ritalin cause certain side effects in females versus males?

In rare cases, Ritalin may cause different side effects in females and males.*

Most side effects of Ritalin are expected to be the same for females and males. However, Ritalin may cause rare cases of priapism in male adults and children.

With priapism, you have a painful and prolonged erection that lasts more than 4 hours. Certain factors may increase your risk of this side effect. These include having your Ritalin dosage increased, taking the drug long term, or suddenly stopping the drug.

If left untreated, priapism may lead to permanent tissue damage. If you have this side effect while taking Ritalin, seek emergency medical attention right away. A healthcare professional will give you treatments for this condition.

If you have priapism, your doctor will likely recommend that you stop taking Ritalin and can recommend alternative treatment options.

* Sex and gender exist on spectrums. Use of the terms “male” and “female” in this article refers to sex assigned at birth.

How does Ritalin work?

Ritalin is a stimulant drug approved to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and narcolepsy.

Ritalin works by increasing levels of certain brain chemicals, including norepinephrine and dopamine. Having higher levels of these chemicals may improve attention, lessen hyperactive behaviors, and increase wakefulness. In this way, Ritalin helps ease the symptoms of ADHD and narcolepsy.

If you have other questions about how Ritalin works, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Ritalin can interact with several other medications. It can also interact with certain supplements as well as certain foods.

Before taking Ritalin, talk with your doctor and pharmacist. Tell them about all prescription, over-the-counter, and other drugs you take. Also tell them about any vitamins, herbs, and supplements you use. Sharing this information can help you avoid potential interactions.

Interactions with medications

Below is a list of medications that can interact with Ritalin. This list doesn’t contain all drugs that may interact with Ritalin. If you have questions about drug interactions that may affect you, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Medications that can interact with Ritalin include:

Alcohol interaction

It’s not safe to consume alcohol while taking Ritalin. Because of how each works in the body, Ritalin and alcohol may mask each other’s effects. Taking Ritalin can make it difficult to know the amount of alcohol you’ve consumed. And drinking alcohol while taking Ritalin may make it hard to tell whether the drug is working for your condition.

In addition, drinking alcohol with Ritalin LA* can cause the medication to be released into your body right after you take it. This may increase your risk of certain side effects such as headache and increased blood pressure.

If you drink alcohol and have questions about the safety of drinking it while taking Ritalin, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

* Ritalin LA is long-acting and slowly releases into your body over a long period of time.

Ritalin has a boxed warning about the risk of misuse and dependence. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). It alerts doctors and patients about drug effects that may be dangerous.

With misuse, a drug is taken in a way other than how a doctor prescribed it. With dependence, your body relies on a drug to function as usual.

Misuse and dependence haven’t been shown in clinical trials of Ritalin or Ritalin LA. However, stimulant drugs are known to have this risk. (Ritalin is a stimulant.) People with drug dependence or alcohol use disorder may have a greater risk of misuse and dependence with these medications.

Symptoms of misuse with Ritalin may include:

What to know

Suddenly stopping Ritalin after your body has become dependent on it may lead to withdrawal symptoms. Examples include fatigue, unusual dreams, and agitation. Due to this risk, it’s important to talk with your doctor before stopping Ritalin. If your doctor agrees it’s safe, they may lower your dosage slowly over time. This will reduce your risk of having withdrawal symptoms when Ritalin is stopped.

Before prescribing Ritalin, your doctor will discuss the risk of misuse and dependence with you. They’ll likely monitor your risk from time to time while you take the drug.

If you have symptoms of misuse with Ritalin, tell your doctor right away. They may prescribe a different medication for you. If you have suicidal thoughts or behaviors, immediately contact your doctor or the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988.

If you’re concerned about misuse and dependence with Ritalin, talk with your doctor.

Suicide prevention

If you know someone at immediate risk of self-harm, suicide, or hurting another person:

  • Ask the tough question: “Are you considering suicide?”
  • Listen to the person without judgment.
  • Call 911 or the local emergency number, or text TALK to 741741 to communicate with a trained crisis counselor.
  • Stay with the person until professional help arrives.
  • Try to remove any weapons, medications, or other potentially harmful objects.

If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, a prevention hotline can help. The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is available 24 hours a day at 988. During a crisis, people who are hard of hearing can use their preferred relay service or dial 711 then 988.

Find more links and local resources.

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As with all medications, the cost of Ritalin can vary. The actual price you’ll pay depends on your insurance plan, your location, and the pharmacy you use.

Drug coupons: You can visit Optum Perks* for price estimates of Ritalin and Ritalin LA. These estimates are based on the use of Optum Perks coupons.

Note: Optum Perks coupons cannot be used with insurance copays or benefits.

Financial and insurance assistance: If you need financial support to pay for Ritalin or help to understand your insurance coverage, help is available.

To learn more about saving money on prescriptions, check out this article.

Generic version: Ritalin and Ritalin LA are available in generic forms called methylphenidate and methylphenidate LA. A generic drug is an exact copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication. The generic is considered to be as safe and effective as the original drug. And generics tend to cost less than brand-name drugs. To find out how the cost of methylphenidate or methylphenidate LA compares to the cost of Ritalin or Ritalin LA, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

* Optum Perks is a sister site of Medical News Today.

If you can become pregnant, consider the following information about pregnancy, birth control, and breastfeeding.

Ritalin and pregnancy

It’s not known whether Ritalin should be taken during pregnancy. If you’re planning a pregnancy or can become pregnant, talk with your doctor before taking this medication.

If your doctor recommends taking Ritalin during pregnancy, consider joining the National Pregnancy Registry for ADHD Medications. This registry helps collect information on the safety of certain drugs, including Ritalin, during pregnancy. You can sign up or learn more by calling 866-961-2388. You can also visit the registry website.

Ritalin and breastfeeding

It’s not known whether Ritalin should be taken while breastfeeding. The drug passes into breast milk and may cause side effects in a child who is breastfed. Examples include trouble feeding, trouble sleeping, and agitation.

If you’re breastfeeding or planning to do so, talk with your doctor before taking this medication.

This drug comes with several precautions.

FDA warning: Risk of misuse and dependence

This drug has a boxed warning. This is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). A boxed warning alerts doctors and patients about drug effects that may be dangerous.

Risk of misuse and dependence. Stimulant drugs, including Ritalin, have a high risk of misuse and dependence. With misuse, a drug is taken in a way other than how a doctor prescribed it. With dependence, your body relies on a drug to function as usual.

For more information on this warning, see the “Ritalin misuse and dependence” section above.

Other precautions

Before taking Ritalin, discuss your health history with your doctor. Ritalin may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors affecting your health. Be sure to talk with your doctor if any of the following apply to you:

Note: For more information about the potential negative effects of Ritalin, see the “Ritalin side effects” section above.

Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.

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