Methylphenidate drug is disguised as Ritalin pills for public use. This medication is very much effective to cure ADHD symptoms. However, doctors may also prescribe Ritalin 20 mg pills (Methylphenidate) as an off-label treatment option for depression and Parkinson’s disease.

Methylphenidate drug is also known as a central nervous stimulant that helps increase dopamine levels in the brain of an individual. This dopamine is a neurotransmitter that promotes feelings of motivation and enthusiasm. That means a greater amount of dopamine may help a person concentrate better, improve his focus on day-to-day life, and reduce other symptoms of ADHD.

Availability

The Methylphenidate drug is supplied as oral tablets, extended-release tablets and capsules, chewable tablets, extended-release chewable tablets, and extended-release orally disintegrating tablets. Apart from Ritalin, it is also supplied in other trade names such as:

• Methylin
• Concerta
• Metadate ER
• Quillichew ER
• Quillivant
• Aptensio
• Cotempla XR-OTD
• Adhansia

All these medicines are approved by the FDA for public use.

Working of Ritalin 20 mg

Due to the presence of Methylphenidate drugs in Ritalin 20 mg tablets, they belong to a class of drugs called central nervous system (CNS) stimulants. In general, it works by increasing the amount of norepinephrine and dopamine chemicals in an individual’s brain. These chemicals can further send signals to other parts of the body, which helps to rectify the general ADHD symptoms.

Proper Dosage

Basically, a typical dose of Ritalin medication will depend on the formulation used like immediate release or extended release. The dosage also depends on the individual’s age, symptoms, overall health conditions, and response to the Methylphenidate drug. Methylphenidate is clinically not suitable for any children below the age of 6 years.

While taking the immediate-release form of Ritalin, an individual must divide the overall daily dose into 2 or 3 parts to maintain a consistent level of dopamine and norepinephrine in the system.

For children over the age of 6 years, the FDA recommends a starting dose of 5 mg twice per day. An authorized doctor may gradually increase this daily dose by 5 mg or 10 mg in weekly intervals, without exceeding 60 mg per day.

Whereas for adults, the usual dosage is around 20–30 mg per day. However, some individuals may need more or less than this dose, so it is vital to consult with a doctor directly. Only allow the concerned doctor to make any required changes to the prescription

Those children and adolescents prescribed with the extended-release form of Ritalin should start with a dosage of 18 mg once per day. If this dose is found to be ineffective, the doctor might increase the daily dose incrementally. The maximum daily dose should not exceed 54 mg for children between the age of 6–12 years and 72 mg for adolescents.

Effectiveness of Ritalin 20 mg

Ritalin 20 mg pills are short-acting stimulants whose effect can last up to 1 to 4 hours and has a pharmacokinetic half-life of 2 to 3 hours. The drug concentration peaks in the system within 2 hours after oral administration. Methylphenidate drug is absorbed well from the gastrointestinal tract and is easily excreted out of the system via urine.

Ritalin medication is efficacious for the short-term treatment of ADHD in children and adults. This medicine should not be used for a prolonged time, as it can be habit-forming. After using Ritalin 20 mg for the treatment period, it should be tapered gradually under the supervision of an authorized doctor. An abrupt discontinuation of these pills will only promote withdrawal symptoms.

Drug Interactions with Ritalin 20 mg

There are certain food substances and medications that can readily interact with Ritalin 20 mg medication. When mixed or taken along with Ritalin they can promote severe side effects and symptoms. These substances may also affect the effectiveness of Ritalin 20 mg pills.

There its is important to avoid such medications, vitamins, or herbs.

• Alcohol
• Narcotics or other opioid medicines such as Fentanyl, Tramadol, Hydrocodone, etc.
• Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) such as fluoxetine and sertraline
• Sedative medications like Ambien, Lunesta, Xanax, Valium, etc.
• Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs)
• Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) such as selegiline and phenelzine
• Lithium based medicines
• St. John’s wort, etc.

Alternatives for Ritalin

• Adderall XR
• Vyvanse
• Concerta