Serious side effects of
Ritalin, while not as common, should be reported to your healthcare provider, including:
- Suicidal thoughts
- Confusion
- Chest tightness, chest pain, or heart palpitations
- Shortness of breath
- Depression (see Ritalin and Depression)
- More outgoing or aggressive behavior than normal
- Strange behavior
- Hallucinations (seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not really there)
- Agitation or restlessness
- Fainting
- Seizures
- Uncontrolled movements of the head, neck, mouth, arms, or legs (known as tics)
- Signs of an allergic reaction, such as:
- Unexplained skin rash
- Itching
- Hives
- Wheezing or difficulty breathing
Rare Side Effects
Rare Ritalin side effects were reported in only a few people taking the drug. Given how uncommon they are, it can be difficult to tell whether these side effects are actually caused by the medication or something else.
Some of these rare side effects include but are not limited to:
If you suffer from
seizures, heart problems, or mental problems, Ritalin can aggravate the symptoms associated with these conditions.
You may experience some or none of the Ritalin side effects listed in this article. Unfortunately, there is no way for your healthcare provider to know beforehand if you will have side effects from a medicine that you have never tried. Therefore, be sure to let your healthcare provider know if you develop any side effects while taking the drug. Also, let your healthcare provider know if you develop something that "just does not seem right." While it may not be a side effect, he or she will be able to diagnose and treat the problem.
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