Ritalin is a mild central nervous system stimulant that triggers the brain stem .
arousal system and the cerebral cortex. It increases the norepinephrine and the dopamine .
at the central nervous system synapses. Ritalin blocks the reuptake of dopamine. It is .
similar chemically and pharmacologically to the amphetamines. The generic name for .
Ritalin is methylphenidate. It is currently used for the treatment of Attention Deficit .
Disorder/Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, narcolepsy, with mild depression in .
the elderly and cancer patients, and to increase the action of antidepressant medication in .
treatment resistant depression. Recently, Ritalin has been used experimentally with stroke .
patients (Wright, 1997).
A normal dose of methylphenidate is between fifteen and thirty milligrams per .
day in divided doses. The drug takes effect in half an hour to one hour; it's effects last .
four to six hours with the regular tablets and up to eight hours with the extended release .
tablets. On-going research is confirming if the slow release or the original Ritalin is better .
at controlling symptoms. Ritalin must be taken on a very precise schedule to receive .
maximum benefits. Metabolism occurs in the liver and excretion occurs in the kidneys. .
Almost ninety-five percent of a dose can be recovered as metabolites in the urine within .
ninety hours. Noven Pharmaceuticals is developing a transdermal patch that releases a .
therapeutic dose of methylphenidate for up to twenty- four hours. Ritalin is not .
recommended for use during pregnancy; it is unknown if it passes through breast milk .
(Wright, 1997).
The benefits of Ritalin are it controls distractibility, increases social skills, .
emotional state and behavior, allows the clients to concentrate, organize their thoughts, .
increases motor control, and allows them to pay attention. Ritalin has been used since the .
1950's to treat Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder; approximately ninety percent of .
