| Ritalin is a good medication with a bad reputation. | | | | vesicular storage of Dopamine, while |
| Its name causes more fear in the hearts of | | | | amphetamines impact primarily the pool of newly |
| parents than any other medication. It is the topic | | | | synthesized Dopamine. It also has a different |
| of radio talk shows, protests by the Church of | | | | effect on Norepinepherine. From the Physician's |
| Scientology, and negative newspaper articles. And | | | | Desk Reference (PDR) 1997, page 867 we read, |
| yet, I wonder, if it is so very bad, why is it so | | | | "Drug treatment should not and need not be |
| "over-prescribed" as the critics claim? Let's | | | | indefinite and usually may be discontinued after |
| explore the issue further, and give some | | | | puberty." |
| information to parents who might want to know | | | | "Start with 5 mg twice daily, before breakfast |
| more about the medication. Tips to remember | | | | and lunch..." "Administration of amphetamines for |
| about Ritalin: We have seen hundreds of kids | | | | prolonged periods may lead to drug dependence |
| benefit greatly from Ritalin. But doctors and | | | | and must be avoided." Please understand that |
| parents must be observant and conservative. We | | | | none of these statements from the PDR is |
| have also seen some horror stories with Ritalin. | | | | supported by research. Most children with ADHD |
| Start slowly and cautiously. It is not a toy. The | | | | will still benefit from medications through their |
| short-acting pill is better than the timed-release pill. | | | | teenage years, and more than 50% of children |
| Also, the brand name "Ritalin" is much superior to | | | | with ADHD will still benefit from stimulant |
| the generic "Methylphenidate." Always begin your | | | | medications into adulthood. Studies show that the |
| "trial" of medication with the real stuff. If that | | | | medications work better if taken with or after |
| works, then feel free to see if the generic will | | | | meals. Studies show, over and over again, that (1) |
| work as well as the "real stuff." Ritalin begins to | | | | ADHD kids who are never treated will have higher |
| work in about 15 or 20 minutes. It peaks in | | | | rates of drug use than non-ADHD kids, (2) ADHD |
| effectiveness at 1.5 to 2.5 hours, and lasts for | | | | kids that ARE treated, whether with medications, |
| about 3.5 to 4.0 hours. Some kids have | | | | or biofeedback, or with anything, will have LOWER |
| "withdrawals" or a "trough period" from coming | | | | rates of drug us than non-ADHD kids. There is no |
| off of the dose at about the 4 hour mark. They | | | | evidence that using stimulant medications |
| may become irritable, tearful, emotional, or bratty. | | | | increases rates of drug use among adolescents or |
| This lasts for about 15 minutes, and tends to be | | | | adults. Rather, the opposite is true. We have seen |
| worse with doses of 15 mg. or more. The best | | | | Ritalin help hundreds of children, teens, and adults. |
| remedy for this that we've found is a 12 oz. | | | | Perhaps it can help you as well. But please be |
| Mountain Dew at about the 3.0 hour mark. The | | | | careful with it. And first, please consider some of |
| caffeine "deflects" or "flattens out" the angle of | | | | the effective non-stimulant interventions than |
| withdrawal. This trick works well. Ritalin works | | | | may be just as effective for you, but without the |
| somewhat differently in the brain than do the | | | | potential side-effects. Learn more about ADHD |
| amphetamines like Dexedrine or ADDerall. Ritalin | | | | and the treatment options at the ADHD |
| seems to primarily impact on longer term | | | | Information Library. |