“What is the long-term effect of Ritalin on young children?”
The doctor just prescribed Ritalin for my 10-year-old son's ADD. What is the long-term effect of Ritalin on young children?
2 Answers
Great question,
There are side effects to medications. I am kinda upset because your doctor who prescribed the medication should have told you all the common side effects and the long-term side effects. It is not your fault he or she did not, I would rather you go back to them and ask them. If they cannot provide such an answer, I would change doctors. I always tell my patients the side effects before starting.
Hope that helps,
Dr. Sangra
There are side effects to medications. I am kinda upset because your doctor who prescribed the medication should have told you all the common side effects and the long-term side effects. It is not your fault he or she did not, I would rather you go back to them and ask them. If they cannot provide such an answer, I would change doctors. I always tell my patients the side effects before starting.
Hope that helps,
Dr. Sangra
If your child truly has attention deficit disorder, Ritalin can be a god-send. Often it enables a child to learn and behave in ways where he or she gets much more positive feedback from adults and peers. It must be carefully dosed and worked with to minimize negative side effects such as irritability when it wears off and loss of appetite. Research shows a better outcome for children with ADJD who receive a combination of stimulants and counseling. I have success stories galore of kids who were struggling at school and with peers who have become successful adults, college graduates and are now married with their own families without any bad effects. That being said, Ritalin is often given to children presenting with problem behaviors or learning who do not have ADHD. It is massively overprescribed and the true nature of the child’s problem is never addressed. The dosage is often not carefully titrated or regulated and little is done to help the child cope with side effects.
When given in error, much harm can be done as it’s like taking “speed” or “meth” if given to a child that does not have ADHD and can inhibit learning and lead to drug problems. In children who truly have ADHD, Ritalin has the opposite effect, slowing down their thinking so their mind isn’t racing and helps them pay attention. A single dose or several doses will rarely be detrimental, although occasionally a child will have a rapid heart beat and cannot take the drug. If a child has ADHD there should be marked improvement in the child’s ability to sit still and pay attention. If this effect is not seen, the diagnosis or dosage is off and should be attended to immediately.
When given in error, much harm can be done as it’s like taking “speed” or “meth” if given to a child that does not have ADHD and can inhibit learning and lead to drug problems. In children who truly have ADHD, Ritalin has the opposite effect, slowing down their thinking so their mind isn’t racing and helps them pay attention. A single dose or several doses will rarely be detrimental, although occasionally a child will have a rapid heart beat and cannot take the drug. If a child has ADHD there should be marked improvement in the child’s ability to sit still and pay attention. If this effect is not seen, the diagnosis or dosage is off and should be attended to immediately.
