• Ritalin belongs to the group of medicines called central nervous system stimulants. It is used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

How should you take this medication?

• Ritalin may be taken with or without food, depending on which brand is used. Take this medicine with a full glass of water.
   
• This medication is best taken 30 to 45 minutes before a meal. If you experience stomach upset, it may be taken with or after meals or snacks.
   
• The chewable tablet form of Ritalin must be chewed before you swallow it.

General Precautions with Ritalin

• Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: high blood pressure, family history of mental disorders, overactive thyroid, seizures.
   
• Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to methylphenidate.
   
• Studies on effects in pregnancy have not been done in humans. However, it has been found to cause birth defects and other problems in animals at doses many times the human dose
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• Methylphenidate may cause dizziness, drowsiness, or changes in vision. Do not drive a car, ride a bicycle, operate machinery, or do other things that might be dangerous until you know how this medicine affects you.
   
• Excessive doses of Ritalin over a long period of time can produce addiction. It is also possible to develop tolerance to the drug, so that larger doses are needed to produce the original effect. If you think you may have become mentally or physically dependent on this medicine, check with your doctor .

What are the possible side effects of Ritalin?

• Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
   
• Dry mouth, stomach upset, loss of appetite, inability to fall or stay asleep, nervousness, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, irritability, nervousness, blurred vision, mild skin rash may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor or pharmacist promptly.