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Side-effects of Ritalin: Can't say you weren't told!

 This list is posted on the drugs.com website and confirmed by the Ritalin pharmaceutical company. 

According to the body system affected:

Psychiatric

Very common (10% or more): Psychiatric disorders (27.9%), insomnia (13.3%), irritability (11%)


Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Psychotic disorders, hallucinations (auditory, visual, tactile), anger, suicidal ideation, altered mood, mood swings, tearfulness, tics, worsening of pre-existing tics or Tourette's syndrome, hypervigilance

Very rare (less than 0.01%): Suicidal attempt/completed suicide, transient depressed mood, abnormal thinking, apathy, repetitive behaviors, over-focusing


Metabolic

Very common (10% or more): Decreased appetite (27.1%), metabolism and nutrition disorders (11.5%)

Common (1% to 10%): Anorexia, decreased weight, thirst

Gastrointestinal

Very common (10% or more): Gastrointestinal disorders (23.5%), dry mouth (21.5%), nausea (12.2%), vomiting (10.2%)

Common (1% to 10%): Abdominal pain (upper and general), diarrhea, dyspepsia, toothache, stomach discomfort

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Constipation

Nervous system

Very common (10% or more): Nervous system disorders (23.5%), headache (23.2%)

Common (1% to 10%): Dizziness, dyskinesia, tremor, drowsiness, feeling jittery, psychomotor hyperactivity, somnolence, vertigo, paresthesia, motion sickness, tension headache

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Sedation, tremor

Very rare (less than 0.01%): Convulsions, choreoathetoid movements, reversible ischemic neurological deficit, cerebrovascular disorders (vasculitis, cerebral hemorrhages, cerebrovascular accidents, cerebral arteritis, cerebral occlusion), neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS)

Frequency not reported: Grand mal convulsions, migraine, sedation, serotonin syndrome (in combination with serotonergic drugs)

Endocrine

Common (1% to 10%): Reproductive system and breast disorders

Rare (less than 0.1%): Gynecomastia

Respiratory

Very common (10% or more): Nasopharyngitis (19.1%), respiratory/thoracic/mediastinal disorders (10.6%)

Common (1% to 10%): Upper respiratory tract infection, cough, oropharyngeal/pharyngolaryngeal pain, sinusitis, dyspnea

Musculoskeletal

Very common (10% or more): Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders (14.4%),

Common (1% to 10%): Joint sprain, arthralgia

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Myalgia, muscle twitching, muscle tightness, muscle spasms

Very rare (less than 0.01%): Muscle cramps

Frequency not reported: Rhabdomyolysis, growth suppression, arthralgia

Among patients 7 to 10 years old, consistently medicated (i.e., receiving methylphenidate for 7 days per week) for over 14 months, as well as in naturalistic subgroups of newly methylphenidate-treated patients over 36 months (ages of 10 to 13 years), a temporary slowing in growth rate (on average, a total of about 2 cm less growth in height and 2.7 kg less growth in weight over 3 years), has been observed compared to non-medicated patients. This slowing in growth rate has been observed without evidence of growth rebound.

Cardiovascular

Common (1% to 10%): Palpitations, tachycardia, cardiac disorders, vascular disorders, arrhythmias, hypertension, hot flush, changes in blood pressure and heart rate (usually an increase)

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Cardiac murmur

Rare (less than 0.1%): Angina pectoris

Very rare (less than 0.01%): Cardiac arrest, myocardial infarction, peripheral coldness, Raynaud's phenomenon, sudden cardiac death

Frequency not reported: Supraventricular tachycardia, bradycardia, ventricular extrasystoles, extrasystoles

Postmarketing reports: Angina pectoris, bradycardia extrasystole, supraventricular tachycardia, ventricular extrasystole, chest pain, chest discomfort.


Dermatologic

Common (1% to 10%): Rash, pruritus, urticaria, fever, scalp hair loss/alopecia, dermatitis, excoriation hyperhidrosis, skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Angioneurotic edema, bullous conditions, exfoliative conditions

Rare (less than 0.1%): Macular rash, erythema

Very rare (less than 0.01%): Thrombocytopenic purpura, exfoliative dermatitis, erythema multiforme, fixed drug eruption.


Immunologic

Very common (10% or more): Infections and infestations (45.2%)


Common (1% to 10%): Immune systems disorders, influenza


Ocular

Common (1% to 10%): Eye disorders, eye pain

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Diplopia, blurred vision

Rare (less than 0.1%): Visual accommodation difficulties, mydriasis, visual disturbance

Frequency not reported: Dry eye

Postmarketing reports: Visual impairment, mydriasis, diplopia


Genitourinary

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Hematuria, pollakiuria

Hepatic

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Hepatic enzyme elevations

Very rare (less than 0.01%): Abnormal liver function, hepatic coma, increased blood alkaline phosphatase, increased blood bilirubin

Postmarketing reports: Hepatocellular injury, acute hepatic failure


Hypersensitivity

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Hypersensitivity reactions (angioedema, anaphylaxis, auricular swelling, exanthemas)


Hematologic

Very rare (less than 0.01%): Leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, anemia, decreased platelet count, abnormal white blood count

Postmarketing reports: Pancytopenia, thrombocytopenia, thrombocytopenia purpura


**************************. Almost the same issues came up with Aztarys and Adderall, two similar drugs.

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