Methylphenidate
COMMON & BRAND NAMES
Ritalin; Concerta; Tranquilyn
EFFECTS CLASSIFICATION
CNS Stimulant
CHEMICAL NAME
alpha-phenyl-2-piperidineacetic acid methyl ester; methyl phenidylacetate
DESCRIPTION
Methylphenidate is a central nervous system stimulant widely prescribed to treat attention deficit disorder. It is also used in the treatment of narcolepsy, mild depression, and in combination with other drugs in the treatment of chronic pain.
GENERAL INFORMATION #
ASK EROWID ANSWERS #
RESEARCH & JOURNAL ARTICLES #
EXPERIENCES #
Three Years and Still Going Strong, by speedracer
The Help I Hate to Love, by Anonymous
Great Binge Until the Awful Comedown, by Steve
Great at Low Dose, by Joltie
OFF-SITE RESOURCES
HEALTH #
Do ADHD Drugs Take a Toll on the Brain? - Jul 2009, Scientific American
Canadian Drug Authority warns of psychiatric side effects from ADHD drugs Sep 21, 2006, cbc.ca
FDA issues new warnings about Ritalin about cardiac issues and hallucinations, Aug 2006, sfgate.com
Strongest warning suggested for ADHD drugs, AP Feb 10, 2006
Federal Agencies investigating study on Ritalin, later cancer risk - Jul 2005, nytimes
MEDIA COVERAGE #
PERFORMANCE ENHANCEMENT DEBATE #
Acceptable to take methylphenidate to enhance performance? No - Jun 2009, BMJ
Acceptable to take methylphenidate to enhance performance? Yes - Jun 2009, BMJ
STATISTICS #
Ritalin and Amphetamine Use Increase, Frontline PBS