Ritalin, also known as methylphenidate, is a white or yellow pill that is used to treat and control symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and narcolepsy in adults and children. Ritalin works by changing the amounts of specific naturally occurring substances in the brain. Children typically take 5 mg to 20 mg of Ritalin each day. Ingesting the pill is normally not a problem for children, but in some cases, Ritalin can cause a number of uncomfortable and potentially serious side effects.
Mild Side Effects
The side effects that affect individuals in the middle of their childhood are numerous. According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information's PubMed Health website, side effects include nervousness, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, stomach pain, diarrhea, heartburn, dry mouth, headache, muscle tightness, uncontrollable movement of a part of the body, restlessness and numbness, burning and tingling in the hands or feet. Children may also have difficulty sleeping if pills are taken too late in the day. Children experiencing these side effects for a long period of time should see their pediatrician.
Severe Side Effects
Some side effects may be more severe and require immediate medical attention. If a child is experiencing fast, pounding or irregular heartbeat, chest pain, shortness of breath, excessive tiredness, slowed or difficult speech, fainting, weakness or numbness of an arm or leg, seizures, changes in vision or blurred vision, agitation, abnormal suspicions, hallucinations, motor tics or verbal tics, depression, an unusually excited mood, fever, hives, rash, blistering or peeling skin, itching or difficulty breathing or swallowing, PubMed Health recommends that a pediatrician be contacted immediately.
Slowed Growth, Weight Gain and Tourette's Syndrome
Ritalin may contribute to slowed growth and weight gain in children. If a child's growth is slowed or he is gaining weight, he should visit a doctor to determine the most appropriate course of action with regard to continuing the medication. In rare cases, Ritalin may also cause symptoms of Tourette's syndome to manifest earlier than they normally would.
Extreme Side Effects
No serious disease have been linked to Ritalin, however, in rare and extreme cases, Ritalin may cause sudden death in children and teenagers. Children and teenagers with pre-existing heart conditions are at greater risk for sudden death.
