ADHD Home > Ritalin
You should talk with your healthcare provider before taking this medication if you have:
- Heart problems of any kind, including heart disease, congestive heart failure, certain irregular heart rhythms (arrhythmias), or a recent heart attack
- High blood pressure (hypertension)
- Mental illness, including bipolar disorder (manic depression) and psychotic disorders (such as schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder)
- Seizures
- Tourette syndrome
- Hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid)
- Glaucoma (a condition affecting the eye)
- Any allergies.
Also let your healthcare provider know if you:
- Are allergic to any medications
- Are pregnant or thinking of becoming pregnant (see Ritalin and Pregnant Women)
- Are breastfeeding
- Drink alcohol regularly.
Tell your healthcare provider about all other medicines you may be taking, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
(Click Ritalin Warnings and Precautions to learn more, including information on who should not take the drug.)
People who take too much of the medication may have overdose symptoms that could include:
- Hyperactivity (trouble sitting still)
- Rapid breathing
- Confusion
- Seizures
- Fever
- Muscle pains
- Shakiness
- Aggressiveness
- Hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that are not really there).
If you happen to overdose, seek immediate medical attention.
(Click Ritalin Overdose for more information.)