- Last edited on October 28, 2021
Ritalin® (methylphenidate)
Primer
Ritalin® (methylphenidate) is a stimulant medication in the methylphenidate class used primarily in the treatment of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Indications
Pharmacokinetics
- Ritalin is the shortest-acting form of methylphenidate
- Duration: 3-4 hours
- Formulations: 5 (generic), 10, 20 mg tabs
Pharmacodynamics
- Starting Dose: 5 mg BID to TID (Adults QID)
- Titration: increase by 5mg qWeekly
- Max Dose: 60 mg, all ages
Pearls
- High abuse potential
- Can be crushed
- Ritalin SR (Sustained Release) also exists but is not really used clinically, since there is generally a really poor response in patients.