Methylphenidate: Pros and Cons

What is methylphenidate?

Methylphenidate, usually known by the trade names Ritalin, Concerta, Metadate and others is one medicine used to treat the symptoms of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Some children with ADHD do well using behavior training methods, and may not need a medicine. For other children, this medicine can improve attention, focus, goal-directed behavior, and organizational skills. As with any medicine, there are pros and cons to its use.

How does it work?

Methylphenidate is a stimulant medicine. Since children with ADHD are already over-stimulated, it is hard to understand how a stimulant drug will help to calm them down. Researchers think that the area of the brain that controls when to pay attention to certain activities and when to ignore other ones is immature and works poorly in people with ADHD. The medicine stimulates those areas of the brain so that the child can better pay attention and focus on his activities.

What are the pros?

The medicine works quickly so you'll know if it will help or not. The dosage may have to be adjusted by your health care provider. It is fairly inexpensive and has been used for many years. If your child is having problems with attention, focus, and being overactive in school, stimulant medicine may provide some relief. Benefits of this medicine often include:

• less trouble finishing classwork and homework
• less fidgeting or squirming
• better control of emotions
• less impatience and impulsiveness
• better relationship with family and friends
• increased self-esteem.

What are the cons?

Many parents do not like the idea of medicating their child for any length of time. As with any medicine, it can have side effects. Some children will have few or no side effects. Other children may have to stop using it because of the side effects.

Some common side effects include:

• decrease in appetite
• headaches
• difficulty falling asleep
• irritability
• stomachaches.

Some children may become more active in the evening after the medicine has worn off. This can be an ordeal for families who are tired and stressed out at the end of the day. Some children will have problems sleeping.

Rarely, this medicine causes high blood pressure, weight loss, growth delays, or aggressive behavior. One to two percent of children on this medicine have facial twitches called tics. If your child already had tics, the medicine may make them worse. The tics get better if the medicine is stopped. A few children don't like the way the medicine makes them feel. Most, however, like being better able to concentrate on schoolwork and control their activity level.

About 25% of children with ADHD do not respond to methylphenidate, although some of these children will benefit from other ADHD medicines.

Should my child take methylphenidate?

There are several treatment approaches for ADHD other than medicine, such as:

• changes to the child's education program
• cognitive-behavioral therapy
• parent education
• social skills training.

Discuss the decision to medicate your child with your child's health care providers, school counselors, and teachers. Decide with your doctor if your child's symptoms are causing enough problems that a trial of this medicine is needed.

The medicine is not a cure. There is no cure for ADHD, though medicine can help manage some of the symptoms. If you decide to try medicine, plan a 1 to 4 week trial period. Your child is usually given a small dose at first, so it may be necessary to increase the dose. Be sure to have several people that interact with your child complete rating scales that relate to ADHD behavior after your child has been on the medication for a few weeks. Even if you do decide to try medicine, be sure to get an educational evaluation and use behavioral training methods to help your child as well.