Ritalin is a stimulant that is used to treat ADHD, a disorder common among children, especially boys, that causes “persistent levels of inattention, impulsivity, or hyperactivity” (Laura Dean, 2010). Ritalin, the more common name for Methylphenidate, has been modified over time into a far less dangerous version of the stimulant that releases small, harmless amounts over a long period of time, making it perfect for treating ADHD and nearly impossible to get high off of. It is a fairly commonly used drug, with few serious or long-term side-effects to consider when prescribing it to children.
The most probable theory as to how Ritalin works is that is it an inhibitor of dopamine reuptake (CPS, 2011). This would explain the high that one would get if taking the street version of Ritalin “speed” or “uppers”. However, in order to avoid the high associated with this stimulant the drug has been modified into a slow- release version which treats the ADHD throughout the day with small, non-addictive levels of stimulants. The drug was originally made in 1944 and the formula was improved until ready for human testing in 1954. It was then patented by SIVA in order to treat
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Symptoms of this include vomiting, agitation, tremors, confusion, hallucination, sweating, headache, and hypertension. The amount of Ritalin needed to be ingested for it to be considered an overdose will vary based on the size of the patient as this medication is given to children as young as 6 and adults whose tolerances are very different. Ritalin was originally taken off the market in Sweeden in 1968 but has since returned. It is not currently banned anywhere however as it is a stimulant it is considered a controlled substance and there are limits as to how much can be taken into certain other countries. Moreover, because it is a controlled substance it requires a specialized prescription from your