Ritalin (methylphenidate) is a brand-name medication prescribed for the treatment of ADHD and narcolepsy in adults and some children. As with other drugs, Ritalin can cause side effects, such as headache and nausea.

Ritalin has a boxed warning. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). For details, see the “Side effect specifics” section.

This article discusses the side effects of Ritalin oral tablet and Ritalin LA extended-release oral capsule. (With extended-release capsules, the drug is released slowly into the body over time.) In this article, the term “Ritalin” refers to both forms unless noted otherwise. For information about other aspects of Ritalin and Ritalin LA, see this article.

Ritalin can cause certain side effects, some of which are more common than others. These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. However, if the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

These are just a few of the more common side effects reported by people who took Ritalin or Ritalin LA in clinical trials:

Mild side effects can occur with Ritalin use. This list doesn’t include all possible mild side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to the prescribing information for Ritalin and Ritalin LA.

Mild side effects that have been reported with Ritalin include:

  • headache
  • insomnia
  • abdominal pain
  • heart palpitations
  • nausea
  • dry mouth
  • decreased appetite
  • increased sweating
  • weight loss
  • anxiety

These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. However, if the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. If you develop a side effect while taking Ritalin and want to tell the FDA about it, visit MedWatch.

Ritalin may cause serious side effects. The list below may not include all possible serious side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to the prescribing information for Ritalin and Ritalin LA.

If you develop serious side effects while taking Ritalin or Ritalin LA, call your doctor right away. If the side effects seem life threatening or you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

Serious side effects that have been reported and their symptoms include:

  • blood circulation problems, including Raynaud phenomenon, which may cause symptoms such as:
    • paleness in the fingers or toes
    • a prickly or stinging sensation when warming your fingers or toes
    • cold or numb fingers or toes
  • angle-closure glaucoma or increased pressure inside your eye, which may include symptoms such as:
    • blurred vision
    • eye pain
    • nausea
    • headache
  • heart and blood vessel problems, which may include symptoms such as:
  • seizures, which may include symptoms such as:
    • jerky movements or muscle spasms
    • a dazed or confused state
    • falling to the ground
    • staring into space
  • priapism (a prolonged and painful erection), which may include symptoms such as:
    • pain in the penis that gets worse over time
    • an erection that doesn’t go away
  • temporary slowed growth in children (height and weight)
  • mental health problems (see “Side effect specifics” for details)
  • boxed warning: risk of misuse and dependence (see “Side effect specifics” for details)
ALLERGIC REACTION

For some people, Ritalin or Ritalin LA can cause an allergic reaction. However, clinical trials of Ritalin and Ritalin LA did not report this side effect.

In general, symptoms of allergic reaction can be mild or serious.

Ways to manage

For mild allergic reaction symptoms, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may recommend treatments to help manage your symptoms. They’ll also let you know whether you should keep taking the medication.

For severe allergic reaction symptoms, such as swelling or trouble breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms require immediate medical care because they can become life threatening. If you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to Ritalin or Ritalin LA, your doctor may recommend taking a different medication instead.

Ritalin may cause several side effects. Here are some frequently asked questions about the drug’s side effects and their answers.

How do Ritalin and Concerta side effects compare?

Ritalin and Concerta both contain the same active ingredient (methylphenidate). They also have the same mild side effects, such as decreased appetite, nausea, and nervousness. Serious side effects of both drugs include heart problems, mental health problems, and temporarily delayed growth in children.

Both medications share the same boxed warning about the high potential for misuse and dependence. This is the most serious warning from the FDA. For more information, see the “Side effect specifics” section.

If you’d like more information about how the side effects of Ritalin and Concerta compare, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. You can also read this article comparing the two drugs.

Does Ritalin cause different side effects in males and females?

The side effects of Ritalin are mostly the same for males and females (see “Note” below).

However, Ritalin can, in rare cases, cause priapism in male children and adults. Priapism is a prolonged and painful erection that lasts longer than 4 hours. This can happen at any time during treatment with Ritalin but is more likely to occur after a dosage increase or after having taken the drug for a long time. In some cases, priapism has happened after the drug was stopped.

Priapism can lead to permanent tissue damage if left untreated. If you experience this side effect while taking Ritalin or Ritalin LA, get emergency medical care right away. Your doctor will likely have you stop taking the medication and recommend a different treatment option for you.

Talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you have questions about the side effects of Ritalin in both males and females.

Note: Sex and gender exist on spectrums. Use of the terms “female” and “male” in this article refers to sex assigned at birth.

Learn more about some of the side effects that Ritalin may cause. To find out how often side effects occurred in clinical trials, see the prescribing information for Ritalin or Ritalin LA.

Risk of misuse and dependence

Ritalin has a boxed warning about the high potential risk of misuse and dependence. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the FDA. It alerts doctors and patients about drug effects that may be dangerous.

Stimulants, including methylphenidate (Ritalin’s active ingredient), have a risk of misuse and dependence. Misuse is when a drug is taken in a way other than how a doctor prescribed it. Dependence is when your body needs the drug to function as usual. There were no reports of misuse or dependence in clinical trials of Ritalin or Ritalin LA.

Misuse and dependence of Ritalin may increase the risk of overdose, which could lead to serious heart problems or even death. Taking higher doses of Ritalin or taking it in other ways, such as snorting or injecting, increases this risk. People who have had substance use disorder (SUD) may have a higher risk of misuse and dependence with Ritalin.

Symptoms of Ritalin misuse may include:

In some cases, misuse and dependence may lead to addiction (when a drug is taken even though it’s causing harm). Dependence also means you may have withdrawal symptoms if you suddenly stop taking Ritalin after taking it regularly for some time. (These symptoms are side effects that happen after you stop taking a drug your body is dependent on.) With Ritalin withdrawal, these side effects can include changes in sleep, depression, or vivid dreams.

What you can do

Your doctor will likely discuss the benefits of treatment and the risks of misuse and dependence with you before prescribing Ritalin. Be sure to tell your doctor if you’ve ever been dependent on alcohol or medications. If you have a history of SUD, your doctor will likely recommend a different medication.

If you experience any symptoms of misuse while taking Ritalin, talk with your doctor right away.

However, do not stop taking Ritalin without your doctor’s guidance. If a decision is made to discontinue Ritalin treatment, your doctor will slowly lower your dosage over time. A slow reduction in dosage can help reduce your risk of withdrawal symptoms. Always follow the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. (Find out about recommended dosages in this article.)

Be sure to store your medication in a safe place, and do not give Ritalin to anyone else. Talk with your doctor about any concerns you have about the risk of misuse and dependence with Ritalin.

Mental health problems

Ritalin can cause mood changes and other mental health problems in some people. This wasn’t commonly reported in clinical trials of Ritalin or Ritalin LA. Some people may feel nervous, anxious, or depressed when starting Ritalin. Others have reported emotional lability. This refers to a sudden and uncontrollable change in emotions, such as crying or irritability.

The risk of mental health problems with Ritalin may be higher in people who already have a mental health condition, such as depression or bipolar disorder. In rare cases, Ritalin can cause more serious problems, such as psychosis or mania. This was reported in people with or without a history of a mental health condition.

Mental health problems may include symptoms such as:

  • hearing or seeing things that aren’t there
  • difficulty concentrating or thinking clearly
  • suspicion of others
  • extreme high energy
  • racing thoughts
  • worsening depression
  • sudden mood changes

What you can do

Before starting treatment with Ritalin, tell your doctor if you or anyone in your family has ever had a mental health condition. This includes suicidal thoughts and behaviors.

If you experience mood changes after starting Ritalin or Ritalin LA, let your doctor know. They can determine how best to treat your symptoms, or they may recommend a different medication instead.

Suicide prevention

If you know someone at immediate risk of self-harm, suicide, or hurting another person:

  • Ask the tough question: “Are you considering suicide?”
  • Listen to the person without judgment.
  • Call 911 or the local emergency number, or text TALK to 741741 to communicate with a trained crisis counselor.
  • Stay with the person until professional help arrives.
  • Try to remove any weapons, medications, or other potentially harmful objects if it’s safe to do so.

If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, a prevention hotline can help. The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is available 24 hours a day at 988. During a crisis, people who are hard of hearing can use their preferred relay service or dial 711 then 988.

Find more links and local resources.

Below is important information you should consider before taking Ritalin.

Ritalin has a boxed warning. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the FDA. For details, see the “Side effect specifics” section above.

Other precautions

Before taking Ritalin or Ritalin LA, discuss your health history with your doctor. Ritalin may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors affecting your health. Be sure to talk with your doctor if any of the following apply to you:

  • heart problems, such as a heart defect
  • mental health problems, such as bipolar disorder
  • high blood pressure
  • eye problems, such as glaucoma
  • Tourette syndrome or tics
  • circulation problems in your fingers or toes, such as Raynaud phenomenon
  • previous allergic reaction to this or a similar drug
  • pregnancy
  • breastfeeding
  • alcohol consumption

Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.