Ritalin Side Effects and Children: Should We Be Giving Kids Chill Pills?

By HelloLife

Ritalin is a very controversial little pill. Yellow or white, 5mg, 10mg, or 20 mg, Ritalin is prescribed for ADHD in children as young as 3. Is this popular chill pill really in our kids" best interest? Concerned parents and medical professionals are beginning to beg the question.

Why is Ritalin so Attractive?

Ritalin is largely attractive because of how quickly it begins working. Within a half hour of the child swallowing it, the Ritalin has begun its work and results are seen immediately. The effects last four hours; even though school can last more than six, most children can get by on only one dose, given in the morning. This is likely because the good feelings the child experiences from controlled behavior are enough to sustain him well into the afternoon. However, a second dose can still be given if needed.

What are the Side Effects of Low-Dose Ritalin?

Research has uncovered some long and short term unwanted side effects of Ritalin. Just like any other pill medication, Ritalin can cause unpleasant stomach discomfort. This is no cause for discontinuation of the drug, however. Low doses of Ritalin have been found to lower heart rate and increase blood pressure, but these changes appear to be insignificant in both the short and long term. Other side effects of low-dose Ritalin include:

Deceased appetite while Ritalin is in the blood stream. Hunger can return with greater power when the medication wears off, so meal and snack times will have to be taken into consideration with dosage times.
Weight loss or failure to gain weight is a rare occurrence but cause for parental concern in growing children.
Trouble falling asleep in children, which is why dosage is typically not performed after 4 p.m. Adults have not shown to have this problem.
Rebound when the drug wears off; the symptoms may worsen when the drug leaves the bloodstream. For example, parents may report that the child seems even more hyper in the late afternoon or evening. This is usually not cause for discontinuation of the Ritalin however.

What are the Side Effects of Higher Doses of Ritalin?

Doses of more than 20g of Ritalin in children can cause side effects including:

Nervousness
Palpitations
Shakiness
Headaches

Teenagers and adults report the same symptoms but also add a feeling of euphoria when they take higher doses. This of course makes the drug eligible for abuse. In typical doses Ritalin does not produce tolerance, addiction, or withdrawal. However, for those who abuse Ritalin these processes can occur.

For Your Information

Scientific findings also point to the possibility that, although rare, Ritalin can uncover the presence of involuntary tics or even Tourette's syndrome. Since the 1980s when this research was published the link has been proven inconsistent. It is now believed that Ritalin can be used for children with Tourette's if the child responds to it. Additionally, Ritalin is not linked to the development of any serious diseases, except for one notable exception. An FDA study in 1996 in which rats were given large daily doses of Ritalin over their lifetime found an higher rate of liver cancer in these animals. However, the FDA assures that Ritalin does not cause cancer in humans and that liver cancer is common in rats. There have been no reports that found increased risk of liver cancer in humans who take Ritalin.

Should we Give Kids Chill Pills?

This study is important because it demonstrates that all the possible risks of Ritalin are still unknown. It is important for parents to be very aware of what they are giving their children.

Sources:

(1) http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/medicating/drugs/diller.html

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