Ritalin (Methylphenidate Hydrochloride) - Side Effects and Adverse Reactions

ADVERSE REACTIONS

Nervousness and insomnia are the most common adverse reactions but are usually controlled by reducing dosage and omitting the drug in the afternoon or evening. Other reactions include hypersensitivity (including skin rash, urticaria, fever, arthralgia, exfoliative dermatitis, erythema multiforme with histopathological findings of necrotizing vasculitis, and thrombocytopenic purpura); anorexia; nausea; dizziness; palpitations; headache; dyskinesia; drowsiness; blood pressure and pulse changes, both up and down; tachycardia; angina; cardiac arrhythmia; abdominal pain; weight loss during prolonged therapy. There have been rare reports of Tourette’s syndrome. Toxic psychosis has been reported. Although a definite causal relationship has not been established, the following have been reported in patients taking this drug: instances of abnormal liver function, ranging from transaminase elevation to hepatic coma; isolated cases of cerebral arteritis and/or occlusion; leukopenia and/or anemia; transient depressed mood; aggressive behavior; a few instances of scalp hair loss. Very rare reports of neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) have been received, and, in most of these, patients were concurrently receiving therapies associated with NMS. In a single report, a ten-year-old boy who had been taking methylphenidate for approximately 18 months experienced an NMS-like event within 45 minutes of ingesting his first dose of venlafaxine. It is uncertain whether this case represented a drug-drug interaction, a response to either drug alone, or some other cause.

      In children, loss of appetite, abdominal pain, weight loss during prolonged therapy, insomnia, and tachycardia may occur more frequently; however, any of the other adverse reactions listed above may also occur.

REPORTS OF SIDE EFFECTS / ADVERSE REACTIONS RELATED TO RITALIN

Possible Ritalin side effects / adverse reactions in 13 year old male

Reported by a individual with unspecified qualification from Brazil on 2007-01-22

Patient: 13 year old male

Reactions: Anxiety, Affective Disorder, Apathy, Bipolar Disorder, Insomnia, Attention Deficit/hyperactivity Disorder

Suspect drug(s):
Ritalin

Possible Ritalin side effects / adverse reactions in 44 year old male

Reported by a individual with unspecified qualification from Japan on 2007-01-22

Patient: 44 year old male

Reactions: Pneumonia Aspiration, Intentional Overdose, Psychotherapy, Pyrexia, Depression, Drug Dependence

Adverse event resulted in: hospitalization

Suspect drug(s):
Ritalin

Possible Ritalin side effects / adverse reactions in 7 year old male

Reported by a pharmacist from United States on 2007-01-25

Patient: 7 year old male weighing 27.9 kg (61.4 pounds)

Reactions: Agitation, Restlessness

Adverse event resulted in: hospitalization

Suspect drug(s):
Benadryl
    Dosage: po x 1
    Administration route: Oral

Ritalin
    Dosage: po x 1
    Administration route: Oral