Methylphenidate
Also called Ritalin, Concerta, Methylin
Methylphenidate (Ritalin, Concerta) is a prescription stimulant studied mainly for ADHD symptoms and also for attention in healthy adults.
- Evidence
- AStrong evidence
- Studied dose
- 5-40mg
- Safety score
- Verified references
- 1 study
How it is thought to work
Methylphenidate blocks the dopamine (DAT) and norepinephrine (NET) transporters, preventing catecholamine reuptake, with effects thought to concentrate in the prefrontal cortex. Concerta uses osmotic-pump delivery.
Availability
What the studies found
| Claimed benefit | Grade | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| ADHD symptoms | A | Graded A, but no verified study is cited for this claim yet.Hundreds of RCTs. |
| Acute focus in non-ADHD | A | Graded A, but no verified study is cited for this claim yet.Source being re-verified |
Each benefit is graded on its own; a substance can have strong evidence for one effect and little for another. What the grades mean.
Dose and timing
Doses used in the research on file, taken as 1-3 doses. Not a recommendation.
Logarithmic time scale. Individual metabolism varies.
Safety and interactions
| Recorded side effect | How often | Severity |
|---|---|---|
| Insomnia | common | moderate |
| Appetite suppression | common | moderate |
| CV stress | common | moderate |
| Abuse potential | common | severe |
Side effects in detailRecorded interactionsInteraction checker
History
Leandro Panizzon synthesised methylphenidate at Ciba (now Novartis) in 1944, naming it Ritalin after his wife Rita. The FDA approved it in 1955 for narcolepsy and chronic fatigue; use shifted to childhood hyperactivity in the 1960s-1970s. Concerta followed in 2000.
References
- MTA Cooperative Group: 14-month trial of methylphenidate vs other ADHD treatments. 1999. PubMed 10591283
Reader reviews
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Sign in to reviewMethylphenidate: quick answers
- How strong is the evidence for Methylphenidate?
- The overall grade on file is A (strong). 2 claimed benefits are graded separately in the table above. 2 of the benefit grades of A have no verified study cited yet. The entry cites 1 study.
- What dose of Methylphenidate has been studied?
- The range on file is 5-40 mg (1-3 doses). It describes doses used in research, not a recommendation.
- How long does Methylphenidate take to work and how long does it last?
- Listed onset: about 30 minutes. Listed half-life: about 3 hours. Individual metabolism varies.
- What are the side effects of Methylphenidate?
- Recorded side effects: Insomnia (common), Appetite suppression (common), CV stress (common), Abuse potential (common). Safety score 3/5.
Compared with other substances
Show 3Hide
| Comparison | Grade | Class |
|---|---|---|
| Methylphenidate vs Modafinil | A | Stimulant |
| Methylphenidate vs Amphetamine (Adderall) | A | Stimulant |
| Methylphenidate vs Caffeine | A | Stimulant |
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