What are the side effects in adults when Ritalin is used to treat adult ADHD?

Answer 1

I'd like to start by saying different medications have completely different effects on different people. I've taken Ritalin/Concerta in many different dosages since 3rd grade, I'm now in college; I've also tried Adderall, Adderall XR, and Focalin. For all of these, there is a sort of "crash" when it is wearing off, more apparent in higher dosages and for some more than others. the crash from Ritalin and concerta (both methylphenidate) last about 15 minutes, and consists of severe irritability, short temper, heightened emotions (only bad emotions, e.g. sad, frustrated, angry), and more severe rage. The shortened temper and more irritability are more common for any dosage, but the others usually just when I've taken a higher dosage. Focalin, however, worked wonderfully for me for about the first 30 minutes (of about 4 hours) then I was just furious with anyone and everyone who tried to talk to me for the rest of the time, it was a very bad feeling. I was a freshman in high school when I tried it, and told my mother not to open the door to my room or say anything to me until I told her it had worn off because just hearing someone try to talk to me angered me even more. On the other hand, my friend and his father both have had great results from Focalin, with none of the aforementioned.

Now I'm only going to talk about methylphenidate, because that's what I've taken consistently since I was younger. I'm not really hyperactive, just ADD, and something that's always been very hard for me is the mellowing effect of Ritalin. If I take as much as I feel I need to feel on par with everyone else in the world, it severely mutes my emotions and outgoingness. It's quite a shame, I never take medication if I want to have a good time and relax because I'm boring around my friends if I take more than just a very small amount, I even bore myself. But this also means that I'm not as aware of what's going on because I'm unmedicated. This has always been the hardest thing to find a balance for. However, this may seem contradictory, but because it's a stimulant, taking enough feels like I've had 3 cups of coffee. Taking TOO much for your body can make you very jittery, and cause uncontrollable ticks.

When I first started taking Ritalin, my psychiatrist (I will hate this woman for the rest of my life because of this) prescribed me I believe 15 mg (mind you, I was in 3rd grade, and now almost 20 y.o., I take 10 mg when I have a lot to do and really need to focus) and I uncontrollably twitched different muscles in my face, neck and shoulder for a very long time. Because of this, I still do twitch when I get extremely stressed or overstimulated. My father, who is about 5'8" and takes 54 mg Concerta, once forgot he had taken it already and accidentally took two, and his head was jerking uncontrollably for the 12 hours it lasted; he locked himself in a room because any outside stimulation was more than he could handle. So my point in saying all this is just be careful not to take too much.

One last side effect I'm aware of is that if your body is used to having the stimulation every day of an ADHD medication, and you'd rather not take it on weekends or for a day whenever (as I do because I can't relax if I take very much of it) then it can make you feel very lethargic. This effect is similar to someone who is used to having 2 cups of coffee every morning...they practically can't function without the caffeine. So on those occassional days you don't take it, assuming you've been taking it daily, some caffeine or other stimulant may be needed to get yourself up and feeling normal. Again, this isn't ALWAYS the case, and if it is it only lasts a day or two if you stop taking it for a bit.

Answer 2

most common is going to be addiction, sorry, it is. along with that comes sleeplessness, irritability, extreme dry mouth, feeling nervous, jittery, rapid heart beat, thumping in ears, profound sweating, loss of appetite, jaw pain....i can do this all day!