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Ritalin LA for ADHD

By Dr Kenny Handelman

Republish: EasyPublish™ Published: 01Jan2010 Word count: 452 Viewed: 321 time(s) Get Free Content For Your Site

Ritalin LA, a version of the original methylphenidate with the similar brand name is also a stimulant medicine. The difference between Ritalin LA and Ritalin is that the LA version is a sustained release medication.

Taken by mouth only once a day, it's best given at breakfast. This capsule should be swallowed whole. Don't crush or chew its contents, because you may be destroying the long-lasting aspect of the drug. Either crushing or chewing may also increase the risk of developing adverse side effects.

If you or your child has problems swallowing medication, you can, however, (depending on the specific brand you purchase), open the capsule and sprinkle the contents into applesauce. Before you do this, consult with your pharmacist to make sure you have the proper variety of drug.

More than likely, your physician will start you out on a dosage of 20 mg daily. If you previously had been using another methylpenidate medication, then your doctor will probably have you begin with the same total dosage as your previous prescription.

But keep in mind the specific dose of Ritalin LA, your health care provider prescribes actually depends on a number of factors, including your age, any other medication you may currently be taking, as well as other ADD/ADHD medications you've tried in the past.

Your physician may adjust your dosage in increments of 10 mg up to a maximum of 60 mg daily. Of course, just how long this drug lasts in your system depends on your circumstances, but it was designed to last about 8 hours.

Be patient. You may not notice any change in behavior in the first two weeks of use. According to some medical experts, that's how long it may be before Ritalin LA takes effect in your system.

Ritalin LA Side Effects

When you take Ritalin LA, you should be aware of the side effects, which are quite similar (not surprisingly) to other Ritalin medications. Some individuals for example, have complained of stomach problems, loss of appetite as well as nausea while on the medications.

Other side effects including difficulty in sleeping, dizziness, lightheadedness as well as dry mouth. But that's not all, in some cases side effects, such as blurred vision, irritability and nervousness have also arisen. And in a few cases, people have even complained of constipation or drowsiness. If you experience any of these conditions while on Ritalin LA, you should notify your doctor immediately.

Ritalin LA is extremely convenient for those who have trouble remembering to take up to three pills daily. And, like other long lasting medications, children don't have the embarrassment or the hassle of visiting the school nurse in the middle of the day in order to take their necessary medication.

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