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What is in this leaflet – Ritalin tablets in Australia

This leaflet answers some common questions about Ritalin 10 tablets.

It does not contain all the available information. It does not take the place of talking to your doctor or pharmacist.

All medicines have risks and benefits. Your doctor has weighed the risks of you or your child taking this medicine against the benefits they expect it will provide.

If you have any concerns about this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Keep this leaflet with the medicine.

You may need to read it again.

What Ritalin 10 is used for? Ritalin tablets in Australia

Ritalin 10 tablets have two uses.

• They are used to treat Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).

About 3% of children suffer from ADHD. It makes them unable to sit still or concentrate on tasks for any length of time. They may have trouble learning and doing school work. They frequently become difficult to manage, both in school and at home.

Ritalin 10 is a central nervous system stimulant. It is thought to work by regulating specific chemicals in the brain that affect behaviour.

It helps to focus attention, shut out distraction and allows impulsive people to think before they act. If successful, it will enhance an inattentive person`s natural ability.

This medicine is part of a treatment program that usually includes psychological, educational and social therapy.

• Ritalin 10 tablets are also used to treat narcolepsy, a sleep-attack disorder.

People with narcolepsy have recurring attacks of irresistible day-time sleepiness in spite of having enough sleep at night. Narcolepsy can be diagnosed by a doctor by recording wake-sleep patterns.

Narcolepsy is not a normal fatigue state. This medicine should not be used to prevent or treat normal fatigue.

Ask your doctor if you have any questions about why this medicine has been prescribed for you or your child.

Your doctor may have prescribed it for another purpose.

This medicine is only available with a doctor`s prescription and your doctor has special permission to prescribe it.

There is not enough information to recommend its use in children under 6 years old.

How to take Ritalin 10mg

Follow all directions given to you by your doctor and pharmacist carefully.

They may differ from the information contained in this leaflet.

If you do not understand the instructions on the label, ask your doctor or pharmacist for help.

How much to take

Ritalin 10 is available in tablets containing 10 mg of methylphenidate hydrochloride as the active ingredient.

For children aged 6 or over, the usual starting dose is 5 mg (half a tablet) once or twice each day. If necessary, the dose can be increased by 5 or 10 mg each week up to a maximum of 60 mg (6 tablets) each day.

For adults, the usual dose is 20 to 30 mg (2-3 tablets) each day but some people may need more or less than that. The maximum dose is 60 mg (6 tablets) each day.

How to take it

Take the tablets with a full glass of water. If they upset your stomach, you can take them with food, but always take them in the same way (e.g. always with food or always without food).

That way the effect will always be the same.

Take the tablets in 2 or 3 doses over the day unless your doctor tells you otherwise. If you find that you have trouble sleeping, talk to your doctor about the best time to take the last dose of the day.

Each dose is usually taken 1 or 2 hours before the greatest effect is needed. For example, a child may take a dose at 7:00 a.m. so that improved concentration begins when school starts.

Side effects

Tell your doctor or pharmacist as soon as possible if you do not feel well while you are taking Ritalin 10.

All medicines can have side effects. Sometimes they are serious, most of the time they are not. You may need medical treatment if you get some of the side effects.

Do not be alarmed by these lists of possible side effects. You may not experience any of them. Ask your doctor or pharmacist to answer any questions you may have.

Tell your doctor if you notice any of the following and they worry you:

• nausea (feeling sick), vomiting or stomach pain
• loss of appetite
• loss of weight and slower growth in children
• feeling nervous or unable to sleep
• dry mouth
• headache
• drowsiness
• dizziness
• mood changes such as depression or irritability
• blurred vision or problems focussing your eyes
• muscle cramps
• hair loss