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Ritalin
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Methylphenidate hydrochloride Information for Parents What you need to know about Ritalin tablets 10 mg
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Your doctor has prescribed Ritalin for your child.  This leaflet contains important information about the tablets.  Please read it carefully before your child starts taking them.
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What's in the medicine
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Ritalin tablets contain methylphenidate hydrochloride which enhances the activity of certain underactive parts of the brain.  Each tablet contains 10 mg of methylphenidate hydrochloride.
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The tablets also contain the following inactive ingredients: calcium phosphate, lactose, wheat starch, gelatin, magnesium stearate, talc.
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Ritalin tablets come in blister packs containing 30 tablets.
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Made by: Ciba-Geigy Ltd., Stein, Switzerland. Product Licence Holder: Ciba-Geigy plc, Hulley Road, Macclesfield, Cheshire.
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What this medicine is used for
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Ritalin is used to treat a behavioural disorder in children known as attention-deficit hyper-activity disorder (ADHD).  ADHD is also known as attention-deficit disorder (ADD) or just hyperactivity.  Children with ADHD tend to be restless or overactive and find it difficult to concentrate.  Ritalin is often used together with other forms of treatment in ADHD.
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Before taking the medicine
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Talk to your doctor before giving your child Ritalin if your child:
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Is very anxious or agitated or depressed
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Suffers from nervous tics (also tell your doctor if any other family members suffer from tics)
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Suffers from any heart or thyroid problems
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Is allergic to methylphenidate
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Suffers from glaucoma (increased pressure in the eye)
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Also tell your doctor if your child:
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Has high blood pressure
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Suffers from epilepsy (fits)
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Is taking
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Any medicines for depression
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Any medicines for epilepsy (anticonvulsants)
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Any medicines affecting blood pressure
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Anticoagulants (blood thinning tablets, like wafarin)
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Phenylbutazone
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Pregnancy information, if relevant, can be obtained from your doctor.
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Other special warnings
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Whilst your child is taking Ritalin, your doctor will probably want to carry out blood tests and monitor your child's height and weight from time to time.
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When your child first starts to take Ritalin, they may feel slightly dizzy or sleepy.  If so, make sure they avoid activities where this could be dangerous, for example, working machinery, until these effects wear off.
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Your child should not drink alcohol whilst taking this medicine.
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Ritalin can be used in children aged 6 years and over.
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These tablets contain lactose and wheat starch and may be unsuitable for some people.
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Taking the medicine
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It is important that your child takes the tablets at the right times.  They must be taken as instructed by your doctor.  Your doctor will usually start treatment with a low dose, for example, half a tablet once or twice a day, and increase it gradually as required.  The maximum daily dose is 6 tablets.
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If you are not sure how many tablets your child should take, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
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The tablets should be swallowed with a drink of water.
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Do not stop the tablets suddenly.  Ask your doctor first.
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If your child forgets to take a dose, they should take the next dose at the usual time.  They should NOT take a double dose.
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If your child accidentally takes too many Ritalin tablets, tell your doctor at once or contact your nearest hospital casualty department.
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After taking the medicine
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These tablets sometimes cause unwanted effects in some people.  Nervousness and sleeplessness sometimes occur at the start of treatment.  If they do not go away, your doctor may decide to reduce the dose or change the times at which your child takes the tablets so that they do not take a dose near bedtime.
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If your child gets any of the following tell your doctor:
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Skin rash, itching or bruising
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Persistent sore throat, high temperature, joint pain or muscle cramps
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Increased heart rate or palpitations or chest pain
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Increased hair loss
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Uncontrolled movements
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Severe or unusual mood changes
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Other effects which may occur include:
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Some children taking Ritalin for a long time may have slower than normal growth but they usually catch up when Ritalin is stopped.
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Headache, sleepiness or dizziness.
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Blurred vision.
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Reduced appetite or upset stomach. Taking the tablets with food may help.
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Dry mouth.
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These effects are often mild and may wear off after a few days' treatment.  If they are severe or last for more than a few days, tell your doctor.
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If the tablets upset your child in any other way, tell your doctor
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Storing the medicine
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The expiry date for these tablets is given on the carton.  The tablets must not be taken after this date.
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Keep the tablets in a cool, dry place out of reach of children.  Return any unused tablets to your pharmacist.
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REMEMBER: this medicine is for your child.  Only a doctor can prescribe it.  Never give it to someone else.  It may harm them even if they have the same symptoms as your child.
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The information in this leaflet applies only to Ritalin.  This leaflet does not contain the complete information about the tablets.  If you have any questions or are not sure about anything, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
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Distributed by Ciba Laboratories, Horsham, West Sussex Date: November 1994 Copyright Ciba-Geigy plc
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