NursingLink

Although methylphenidate is widely used for ADHD treatment in children, adolescents, and adults, when used according to doctors recommendations, this drug (short-acting) is reasonably safe. There are a number of side effects to watch for (these need to be reported to a physician, and addressed immediately):

fast, pounding, or uneven heartbeats;
feeling light-headed, fainting;
increased blood pressure (severe headache, blurred vision, trouble concentrating, chest pain, numbness, seizure);
fever, sore throat, and headache with a severe blistering, peeling, and red skin rash;
aggression, restlessness, hallucinations, unusual behavior, or motor tics (muscle twitches); or
easy bruising, purple spots on your skin.

Other less severe side effects (should be monitored and addressed by the physician if they are continuous, or exceptionally troublesome to the patient):

vision problems;
mild skin rash;
dizziness;
nervous feeling, sleep problems (insomnia);
nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite; or
weight loss.

While I used to to be an advocate for NOT pushing the Ritalin, or any other stimulant treatment for that matter, I have one child for whom nothing else has worked. He is on a very low daily dose, and it has helped him tremendously in school. I am for the first time ever seeing postive remarks on his report cards. He's always been a very good student, but very distractable. This medication has really helped him to focus, and I'm hoping that he can eventually train himself to focus without using it.

tcollins, I can hear sincere concern in your post. Have you addressed this with the child's parents? Have you hinted that maybe the dose may be wrong? Do you know how LONG the child been being treated? Maybe you could convince him to say something? Is he old enough to understand that the medication may be affecting him in a negative manner?

Ritalin decreases appetite and can increase heart rate/BP. Because of the decreased appetite, weight loss occurs. It helps to add a multivitamin to their diet and encourage exercise. children can appear skinny and or slimmer than normal but there is a limit!

Getting involved is risky as far as maintaining a good relationship with the parents and child. If he is in boy scouts chances are the family is at least somewhat religious and will be open to an honest and sincere concern for their child's health by you a medical professional and someone who is integral in his life with the scouts.

However, your wording and how the subject is approached will be delicate so think wisely and carefully before stepping in, if at all. Obviously, if there are severe problems or health issues these can not be ignored and maybe they (the parents) are unaware of what to look for.

DaMomb said:

Although methylphenidate is widely used for ADHD treatment in children, adolescents, and adults, when used according to doctors recommendations, this drug (short-acting) is reasonably safe. There are a number of side effects to watch for (these need to be reported to a physician, and addressed immediately):

fast, pounding, or uneven heartbeats;
feeling light-headed, fainting;
increased blood pressure (severe headache, blurred vision, trouble concentrating, chest pain, numbness, seizure);
fever, sore throat, and headache with a severe blistering, peeling, and red skin rash;
aggression, restlessness, hallucinations, unusual behavior, or motor tics (muscle twitches); or
easy bruising, purple spots on your skin.

Other less severe side effects (should be monitored and addressed by the physician if they are continuous, or exceptionally troublesome to the patient):

vision problems;
mild skin rash;
dizziness;
nervous feeling, sleep problems (insomnia);
nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite; or
weight loss.

While I used to to be an advocate for NOT pushing the Ritalin, or any other stimulant treatment for that matter, I have one child for whom nothing else has worked. He is on a very low daily dose, and it has helped him tremendously in school. I am for the first time ever seeing postive remarks on his report cards. He's always been a very good student, but very distractable. This medication has really helped him to focus, and I'm hoping that he can eventually train himself to focus without using it.

tcollins, I can hear sincere concern in your post. Have you addressed this with the child's parents? Have you hinted that maybe the dose may be wrong? Do you know how LONG the child been being treated? Maybe you could convince him to say something? Is he old enough to understand that the medication may be affecting him in a negative manner?

Wow what a topic, just in time for me, My son has been on focolin xr for almost a year now for add. trust me meds were my last resort, We tried everything but nothing worked. I cried for days after putting my son on meds. When he first started taking it, we saw a huge difference, grades greatly improved but recently it doesn't seem to be working any more so his dr gave me concerta 18mg for him. He had his first pill yesterday and wow! he was so moody, yelling all day long, making rude comments to people. I was correcting him all day long. I didn't give it to him today, I don't want him acting this way and i can't give it to him and have him behave like that at school. I don't know if i should give it to him and let it get into his system or just tell dr he needs something different! but I also don't want to give him 20 different meds. I am not fond of the whole med thing anyway and to see my child yesterday really scared me.