Methylphenidate
Ritalin (Methylphenidate) was once a very popular drug and surrounded with a lot of controversy. It is basically a brain stimulant drug. It has a structure similar to amphetamine. Ritalin is not as potent as amphetamine and its actions are also distinct. Unlike amphetamine which stimulates both the mental and motor activities, Ritalin only stimulates the mental activities in the brain.
Methylphenidate
| Other names | Attenta, Concerta, Metadate CD, Methylin, Methylin ER, Methylphenidate, Penid, Ritalin, Ritalina, Ritalin LA, Ritalin-SR, Rilatine, Rubifen, Tranquilyn |
| Chemical formula | C14H19NO2 |
| Effects | Stimulates central nervous system. |
| Prize | 30x10mg $150 |
| Dosage | Starting from 5 milligrams a day. |
| Australia, Germany, Norway, United States | Illegal to buy or posses without prescription. |
| WADA status | Prohibited. |
The drug was widely used in the treatment of attention deficit disorder in children. Despite having the ability to stimulate the brain, in children with ADHD, it was found to have a significant calming effect. The majority of children with hyperactivity calmed down and showed increasing attention span in school. Over the years, Ritalin has been also used to treat a variety of other medical disorders like Tourette's syndrome and adults with ADHD.
As many other stimulants, Ritalin as well has become a popular study drug among college student. On the online survey of Nature magazine, almost a two-thirds of the people had been used Ritalin for to improve their concentration.
The drug does have a few side effects, the major ones being loss of appetite, stomach cramps and insomnia. There are also some dietary restrictions when using Ritalin.
Ritalin is available in various formulations and the starting dose is 5 mg. However, the availability of better drugs and the lasting controversy regarding its actions has led to a decreasing use of Ritalin.