Ritalin, also known as Ritalin (these would be the trade names, although there are others: concerta, aradix…), is the well-known methylphenidate (technical name). It is a psychostimulant medication that is widely used for the treatment of symptoms related to attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
In colloquial language, it is known as “the concentration pill”, which is why it gained great popularity a few decades ago and was consumed unintentionally without medical accompaniment by many people seeking to increase their attention and concentration. .
It was very popular among students who wanted to improve their academic records and workers looking to increase their work performance. However, the use of Ritalin by people who do not have any disorder such as ADHD or insomnia is highly harmful to health. If you want to know more about this psychotropic drug, keep reading.
What is Ritalin?
Ritalin, according to Stahl (2002), is a medication whose base component is Methylphenidate Hydrochloride, a type of drug that has effects on the central nervous system as a stimulant. Thanks to its effects that could be compared to caffeine but much more powerful, it was widely used by people who wanted to improve their performance and concentration.
However, that is not the use of Ritalin; In fact, specialists advise against taking it for these purposes and warn about the long-term side effects and negative effects that the use of this medication can have.
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It is a delicate drug that must be administered under strict medical supervision, as it is usually highly addictive and can cause hallucinations and cardiac symptoms if taken incorrectly. It is currently used to treat symptoms associated with ADHD and narcolepsy.
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Uses of Ritalin
The main use of Ritalin is part of the treatment of patients with attention deficit disorders with and without hyperactivity, because it promotes concentration and helps people who take it to remain still for prolonged periods.
This is one of the effects that the treatment seeks to have, due to its direct impact on academic and/or work performance. Being a stimulant of the central nervous system, it has been shown to have very positive effects for the treatment of narcolepsy.
The use of Ritalin is delicate and must be carried out under medical supervision, strictly following the specialist’s instructions. Its use by people who do not have these disorders can be highly harmful to health.
These types of medications are available in various forms of presentation such as: chewable tablets, capsules, orally disintegrating tablets, suspension and solution with different types of action: immediate, intermediate, and prolonged.
Currently the use of Ritalin has increased significantly compared to previous years, mainly for the treatment of the aforementioned disorders in children and its effects have been noticeably positive, allowing them to have greater control of their impulses with an improvement in the processes of attention and concentration in classes.
Side effects of Ritalin
Consuming Ritalin can trigger some side effects that can range from simple discomfort to serious conditions that can put your health at risk. For this reason, it is necessary to pay attention to any changes and immediately communicate them to the treating doctor.
Among the most common side effects are difficulties falling or staying asleep, dizziness, irritability, restlessness, feeling nervous, headaches, feeling of having a dry mouth, muscle tension, back pain, drowsiness, heavy sweating .
At the stomach level it can cause several negative effects, such as: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, heartburn and/or stomach pain, which can lead to a loss of appetite and subsequent weight loss. Some patients also report uncontrollable movements of a part of the body and a marked decrease in sexual desire.
It is important to keep in mind that there are some side effects that require immediate medical attention, so it is essential to go to the emergency room or consult with the treating doctor if there are seizures, chest pain, fainting, changes in heart rate, excessive tiredness or short of breath.
It is also urgent to go if you speak slowly or have difficulty speaking, if there is weakness, tingling, change in skin odor or appearance of wounds on a limb, hives, itching, rash, blisters, agitation, hallucinations, difficulty breathing or swallowing or hoarseness.
If there is inflammation (eyes, face, lips, mouth, tongue or throat), mood changes, depression, abnormally agitated mood, motor tics or verbal tics, changes in vision or blurred vision, fever, erection that lasts more than 4 hours or frequent and painful erections.
References: Stahl, S. M. (2002). Essential psychopharmacology. Neuroscientific bases and clinical applications. Barcelona: Ariel.