Long-Term Side Effects of Ritalin

Few studies have been conducted on the long-term side effects of Ritalin; however similar stimulants were shown to temporarily slow down the growth of children. In one study, the drug was shown to decrease the survival of new brain cells in adult rats that were given the drug when younger. Since the long-term Ritalin side effects are not fully known at this time, the medication should not be used for longer than necessary.

 

Long-Term Side Effects of Ritalin: An Overview

Ritalin® (methylphenidate hydrochloride) is a prescription medication approved for treating ADHD and narcolepsy. Although short-term side effects of the drug have been studied, little is known about the long-term side effects of Ritalin use.
 

Understanding Ritalin Studies

Before medicines are approved, they must go through several clinical studies in which thousands of people are given a particular medicine and compared to a group of people not given the medicine. In these studies, side effects are always documented. 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. However, these studies for Ritalin were short (usually less than two weeks) and did not look at the long-term side effects of Ritalin.
 

Long-Term Side Effects of Ritalin: Growth Suppression

Temporary growth suppression has been reported as a side effect of long-term use of stimulants (such as Ritalin) in children. This slowing down of growth is usually small (less than an inch and less than two pounds), and children usually catch up to normal growth rates with time. Your child's growth should be monitored while he or she is taking Ritalin.
 
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;