Ritalin is part of a treatment program that usually includes psychological, educational, and social therapy. This medication works by regulating specific chemicals in the brain that affect behavior. Ritalin 20 mg helps to focus attention, shut out distractions, and allow impulsive people to think before they act.
Half-Life Of Ritalin 20 mg:
The active ingredient in Ritalin is methylphenidate i.e. a central nervous system stimulant. These stimulant drugs typically have very short half-lives compared to other drugs. The half-life of methylphenidate ranges from 1-4 hours.
Uses Of Ritalin 20 mg:
The doctor advises taking Ritalin 20 mg tablet for as long as your doctor has prescribed it for you depending on your medical condition. This medication has two uses to treat:
- Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD); and
- Narcolepsy is a sleep-attack disorder.
Your doctor may have prescribed it for another purpose.
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD):
ADHD children are unable to sit constantly or concentrate on tasks for any length of time. They may have trouble learning and doing schoolwork. They feel difficult to manage, both in school and at home.
Narcolepsy:
People with narcolepsy have recurring attacks of daytime sleepiness whereas they have enough sleep at night. The doctor diagnosed narcolepsy by recording the wake-sleep patterns of the patient. Narcolepsy is not a normal fatigue state.
Ask your doctor if you have any questions about why Ritalin 10 mg has been prescribed for you/your child at starting therapy. Then the doctor increases the dose to Ritalin 20 mg.
Looks Ritalin 20 mg Capsule:
Ritalin comes in small pills, about the size and shape of aspirin tablets. The word “Ciba” (the manufacturer’s name) is stamped on it every dose i.e. 5 mg, 10 mg, and 20 mg tablets.
Ritalin 5 mg is a pale yellow, Ritalin 10 mg tablets are pale green, and Ritalin 20 mg tablets are available in both white and pale yellow. It is described as a central nervous system stimulant.
The Function Of Ritalin 20 mg In The Human Body:
Ritalin influences both dopamine and norepinephrine activity in your brain. This medication is a Central Nervous System Stimulant. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that affects pleasure, movement, and span attention. Norepinephrine is a stimulant to increases the action of these neurotransmitters by blocking their reabsorption into your brain’s neurons.
Proper Use Of Ritalin 20 mg:
Like other medications, you should take Ritalin 20 mg only as directed by your doctor. Do not take more of it for a longer time than your doctor ordered. If too much is taken, it may become habit-forming and cause mental or physical dependence.
Read and follow these instructions in the medication guide carefully. You are taking the medicines with a glass of water with the guidance of the doctor. Take Ritalin 20 mg preferably 30 to 45 minutes before meals. To help prevent trouble with sleeping, take the last dose of the tablets before 6 PM unless your doctor gives you a different time.
Ask your doctor if you have any questions. Ask your pharmacist for the Medication Guide if you do not have one.
You Must Not Take Ritalin 20 mg Pill:
Do not take Ritalin 20 if you/your child are allergic to this medication or any other ingredients listed at the end of this leaflet. Some of the symptoms of an allergic reaction may include shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or other parts of the body, rash, itching, or hives on the skin.
Do not take Ritalin 20 if you/your child have any of the following medical conditions:
- Periods of severe anxiety, tension, or agitation.
- Glaucoma increased pressure in the eye. Overactive thyroid or other thyroid problems.
- Heart problems such as heart attack, irregular heartbeat, heart failure, heart disease, or if you were born with a heart problem.
- Very high blood pressure or narrowing of the blood vessels.
- Severe depression or other mental illness.
- Do not take Ritalin 20 if you/your child are taking a medicine called a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) or have been taking it within the past 14 days. Taking this medication together with MAOI medicines may cause a serious reaction with a sudden increase in body temperature, and extremely high blood pressure.
- Do not take this medicine after the expiry date printed on the pack or if the packaging is torn or shows signs of tampering.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure if you/your child have been taking this medicine for any condition.
Side Effects Of Ritalin 20 mg Tabs:
According to the patient’s health condition, many medications can cause side effects differently. A side effect is an unwanted response to a medication when it is taken in normal doses. Side effects can include mild or severe, temporary or permanent. such side effects are as such: agitation, nervousness, or anxiety, diarrhea, dizziness, hair loss, headache, increased sweating,
Drowsiness, loss of appetite, muscle pain or cramps, nausea, grinding teeth, joint pain, restlessness, dry mouth, runny nose, skin rash, or itching (mild).
Contact your doctor if you experience these side effects and they are severe. Your doctor can able to advise you on managing side effects.
Overdose:
When a person takes an extra dose of medicine that the doctor prescribes for him/her intentionally or accidentally. An overdose of any medication is dangerous to the patient’s health, so an overdose of Ritalin 20 mg also has some bad effects on our health.
The symptoms of overdose of Ritalin 20 mg lead to vomiting, agitation, confusion, sweating, flushing, dry mouth, nausea, diarrhea, fever, headache, fainting, lightheadedness, muscle twitching, the fast pounding of heartbeats, hallucinations, seizures, and loss of consciousness.
Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the above side effects occur.
Missed Dose:
Taking Ritalin 20 mg at an improper time and irregularly leads to a missed dose. The patient after missing a dose usually takes a double dose. It leads to overdose. In case you miss a dose, do not be afraid to take it immediately or continue with your regular dose. Consult your doctor if you take this medication irregularly.
Alternatives For Ritalin 20 mg:
You never get the exact alternative medication of Ritalin 20 mg, but some similar medications are prescribed instead of Ritalin 20 mg. These are medicinal substitutes are Adderall, Dexedrine, Concerta, Cylert, Pemoline, Provigil, Evekeo, Vyvanse, ProCentra, and Zenzedi.
Storage Of Ritalin 20 mg:
Reusing medication is needed to store every medicine is an important aspect. So, it needs to remember some points before storing any medicine.
Some specific points to remember before and after using this medication. Such as:
- Store Ritalin 20 mg at room temperature the temperature between 20- 25 degrees Celcius i.e. 68- 77 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Keep it in a place where children cannot reach it.
- Do not store it in the bathroom and inside the refrigerator
- Keep it in a tight, light-resistant container.
- Never store any expired medicine in the room.
- Always keep away from the child and pets.
Expert Advice For Ritalin 20 mg Pill:
Here are some things you should remember that the doctor advises you when you’re taking medications:
- It has high habit-forming potential. Do not take more than prescribed.
- Take it early in the morning to prevent insomnia later that night.
- Ritalin 20 mg may raise your blood pressure and pulse. Monitor your blood pressure regularly.
- Do not use Ritalin 20 mg while driving or doing anything.
- The medication can cause a loss of appetite, which can slow the growth rate in the health and height of the children. Monitor your child’s height and weight regularly while taking this medicine.
- Talk to your doctor if you notice sudden mood changes or develop suicidal thoughts.
- Do not stop taking medicine without talking to your doctor first.
- A woman who is pregnant should consult with a doctor before taking Ritalin 20 mg tablet for her and her baby’s safety.
- A breastfeeding woman should avoid taking this medication as it is suspected to pass into breast milk and can affect the baby. Consult a doctor before using Ritalin 20 mg.
Ritalin 20 mg, like all medicines containing central nervous system stimulants, will be given to you/your child only under close medical supervision and after diagnosis.