Ritalin LA Side Effects

Loss of appetite, abdominal pain, and headache are some of the more common side effects of Ritalin LA. Less common ones include fainting, tics, and hallucinations. If you develop any of these serious Ritalin LA side effects, notify your healthcare provider immediately. Other potential problems that are not specifically seen with Ritalin LA but that have been reported with other methylphenidate products include drowsiness, hair loss, and anemia.

Ritalin LA Information

An Introduction to Ritalin LA Side Effects

As with any medicine, side effects are possible with Ritalin LA^®(methylphenidate extended-release). However, not everyone who takes the drug will experience side effects. In fact, most people tolerate it quite well. If side effects do occur, in most cases, they are minor, meaning they require no treatment or are easily treated by you or your healthcare provider.

(The Ritalin LA side effects discussed below are not a complete list of reported side effects. Your healthcare provider can discuss a more complete list with you.)

Common Ritalin LA Side Effects

Ritalin LA has been studied thoroughly in clinical trials in which the side effects of a group of people taking the drug are documented and compared to another group not taking the medicine. This way, it is possible to see what side effects occur, how often they appear, and how they compare to the group not taking the medicine.

Based on these studies, the most common side effects of Ritalin LA include:

Headache
Insomnia
Upper abdominal pain (stomach pain)
Loss of appetite
Weight loss (see Ritalin LA and Weight Loss).

Ritalin LA can also cause a temporary growth stunt in children. This slowing down of growth is usually minor, and children usually catch up to normal growth rates with time.

(Click Long-Term Side Effects of Ritalin for information on possible long-term side effects seen with the drug.)

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