Methylphenidate
Methylphenidate (Ritalin) is a central nervous system stimulant prescribed to treat narcolepsy and attention-deficit disorders. It was patented in 1950 by the CIBA Pharmaceutical Company and was approved by the FDA, (Federal Drug Association), in 1955. It is classified in the DSM IV as a "highly addictive controlled substance" along with cocaine, due to its amphetamine-like effects. It increases the attention span of children with Attention-Deficit Disorder/Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADD/ADHD). It also decreases restlessness, helps the child sit calmly and allows he or she to focus. It enables the patient to retain information and decrease spontaneous behavior. It lasts for approximately 6-8 hours. It is taken in tablet form in 5, 10 and 20 mg doses taken 1-3 times daily or as sustained release tablets in 20 mg dosages taken once a day. Approximately 90% of the world's Ritalin (methylphenidate) is used in the U.S. and currently over two million people are tak!ing it (Nuovo, Jim p1). Ritalin is an overprescribed drug, which is often given to children who are improperly diagnosed as hyperactive. Methylphenidate consists of numerous inactive ingredients other than the two enantiomers of
(online) Available: http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?TS=985969...Did=000000040389175&Deli=1&RQT=309&Dtp=1 Nuovo, Jim. "Efficacy of Methylphenidate in Various Clinical Conditions". Pancheri, Christina. "What Teachers and Parents Should Know About Ritalin". smitters, which are the chemicals in the brain that transmit messages between nerve cells, is thought to be the basis behind symptoms of ADHD. No single cause has been found. Children with ADHD were likely to have been exposed to poor maternal nutrition, alcohol, tobacco or drug abuse before birth. Zito, J.M. "Trends in the Prescribing of Psychotropic Medications of Preschoolers." Journal of the American Medical Association 283 (2000): 1025-1030. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Stimulants stunt growth and disturb growth hormone production. Side-effects of Ritalin include increased blood pressure, irritability, fast heartbeat, decreased appetite, upset stomach, difficulty falling asleep, nervousness, headaches, skin irritations, abdominal pain, and weight loss. Although there are many possible side effects, some are not common. Less than 2% of children stop taking Ritalin because of side effects (Child Health Alert, p.1). Many side effects may not be side effects at all, rather complications caused by ADHD itself.
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