Ritalin is every student’s especially medical student’s dream come true. It promotes wakefulness and alertness and acts much better than mere coffee for this purpose. Ritalin is generic name for the drug “methylphenidate”. Methylphenidate is directly derived from amphetamines. Novartis Pharmaceuticals manufactures the drug in U.S.A. The drug is also manufactured in some Latin American countries and Pakistan. The drug is legally used for the treatment of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. It radically changes the behavior of the children affected with the disorder. Children become more focused and the learning is improved.

Ritalin is also prescribed for the depression that has not responded the usual treatment. It is also given to the cancer patients. Over administration of opioids to reduce pain results in apathy, indifference and opioid tolerance. The drug reduces all these symptoms. It has been the drug of choice for patients with narcolepsy and cataplexy. Narcolepsy is marked by the excessive day time sleepiness and the patient is rendered incapable to perform daily tasks.

Ritalin is one of the most debated drugs. Medical practitioners are of the view that methylphenidate is almost always prescribed for wrong reasons. The children who are thought to have ADHD may have learning difficulties and other symptoms because of the environmental factors.

Methylphenidate is available as instant release tablets (most common form) as injection, nasal spray, delayed release tablets and capsules and as skin patches.

The drug has some degree of abuse potential and is snorted or is otherwise taken, alone or in combination with other substances to get euphoric feeling.

Recent research has shown that the drug’s effectiveness is derived from its ability to provide extra dopamine in the brain.

Ritalin