Ritalin Side Effects

The documented risks of these drugs are provided so the public can make informed, educated decisions. Ritalin is a stimulant drug, classified by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) as Schedule II, in the same class of highly addictive drugs as morphine, opium and cocaine. The DEA states that the use of stimulants can lead to “severe psychological or physical dependence” and that “these drugs are also considered dangerous.” Ritalin is also known as Concerta, Concerta LP, Concerta Oros, Daytrana, Equasym, Equasym XL, Metadate, Metadate CD, Metadate ER, Methylin, Methylin ER, Methylphenidate, Ritalin LA, Ritalin SR.

To see the total figures from IQVia on the number of people taking stimulants in the U.S., click here.

Please note: No one should attempt to get off of psychiatric drugs without a doctor’s supervision. To help find medical practitioners in your area, click here.

Also, read the FDA’s Ritalin Medication Guide for more information. MedGuides include “the particular serious and significant public health concern that has created the need for the Medication Guide” and notes “pediatric risks.” (Note: Unfortunately, the FDA MedGuides only work on a desktop, not on a mobile device. Please complain to the FDA to make their public advisories accessible to all. 1-888-INFO-FDA or 1-888-463-6332.)



Ritalin Drug Warnings:

There have been 32 drug regulatory agency warnings from nine countries (Australia, Canada, Denmark, France, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, United Kingdom and United States) on Ritalin (or methylphenidate). These include the following (note that some warnings cite more than one side effect, so the list below may not be equal to the total number of warnings):

16 warnings on Ritalin causing cardiovascular disorders
8 warnings on Ritalin causing heart problems
5 warnings on Ritalin causing death or sudden death
4 warnings on Ritalin causing mania or psychosis
4 warnings on Ritalin causing hallucinations
3 warnings on Ritalin causing depression
3 warnings on Ritalin causing heart attacks
3 warnings on Ritalin causing skin conditions
3 warnings on Ritalin causing addiction or dependence
2 warnings on Ritalin causing eye problems
2 warnings on Ritalin causing involuntary movements
2 warnings on Ritalin causing stroke
2 warnings on Ritalin causing suicide risk or attempts
2 warnings on Ritalin causing agitation
2 warnings on Ritalin causing seizures or convulsions
2 warnings on Ritalin causing drug abuse
1 warning on Ritalin causing hostility or aggression
1 warning on Ritalin causing anxiety
1 warning on Ritalin causing liver problems
1 warning on Ritalin causing abnormal behavior
1 warning on Ritalin causing sleep problems
1 warning on Ritalin causing blood pressure changes

Ritalin Drug Studies:

There have been 25 studies done in 14 countries (Australia, Belgium, Canada, China, Denmark, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Scotland, South Korea, United Kingdom and United States) on Ritalin (or methylphenidate). These include the following (note that some studies cite more than one side effect, so the list below may not be equal to the total number of studies):

6 studies on Ritalin causing cardiovascular disorders
5 studies on Ritalin causing lack of efficacy
4 studies on Ritalin causing heart problems
2 studies on Ritalin causing sleep problems
2 studies on Ritalin causing blood pressure changes
2 studies on Ritalin causing sudden death
2 studies on Ritalin causing drug abuse
1 study on Ritalin causing heart attacks
1 study on Ritalin causing hallucinations
1 study on Ritalin causing homicidal ideation
1 study on Ritalin causing mania or psychosis
1 study on Ritalin causing violence
1 study on Ritalin causing stunted growth
1 study on Ritalin causing abnormal behavior
1 study on Ritalin causing cognitive impairment
1 study on Ritalin causing involuntary movements
1 study on Ritalin causing irritability
1 study on Ritalin causing lowered bone mass
1 study on Ritalin causing nervous system disorders
1 study on Ritalin causing suicide risk or attempts
1 study on Ritalin causing withdrawal reactions

Adverse Reaction Reports Filed with the US FDA: There have been 7,473 adverse reactions reported to the US FDA in connection with Ritalin (methylphenidate).

The FDA estimates that less than 1% of all serious events are ever reported to it, so the actual number of side effects occurring are most certainly higher.

  • 775 cases of the drug being ineffective
  • 353 cases of aggression
  • 343 cases of abnormal behavior
  • 336 cases of headache
  • 334 cases of decreased appetite
  • 318 cases of insomnia
  • 276 cases of depression
  • 250 cases of anxiety
  • 241 cases of suicidal ideation
  • 236 cases of disturbance in attention


Documented Side Effects of Ritalin (methylphenidate):
Source: Physicians Desk Reference, National Institutes of Health’s Medline Plus, and/or the drug label.

Agitation/hostility
Blood pressure changes
Changes in vision or blurred vision
Depression
Hallucinations
Hives
Hypersensitivity
Insomnia
Involuntary tics/ twitching
Irregular heartbeat
Loss of appetite
Mood changes

Muscle tightness
Nausea
Nervousness
Numbness
Restlessness
Seizures
Sexual dysfunction
Slow/difficult speech
Stomach pain
Uncontrollable movement of a body part
Weight loss

Note: Side effects of psychiatric drugs can persist for months, if not years, after stopping them.
Click here to learn more >>

This brochure is a simple guide that documents the dangerous and deadly side effects of the drugs prescribed to millions of men, women and children diagnosed with bogus mental disorders.

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