User Reviews for methylphenidate HCl oral

My daughter is 7 years old and was taking this medication for two days when I had to rush her to the Emergency room because her heart started rapidly beating and she was having conscious blackouts. It was a very scary situation.

I have used the datrayna (sp?) patches for almost 8 years now. They have by far been the most effective. I dont have to worry about forgetting to take pills or anything which is nice. It also doesnt effect my diet as much as other meds.

This generic form (oval tan color) doesn't work very well for my ADHD compared to other generic forms. I have been taking "Concerta" for 11 years.

I started taking ADHD meds in 2009. I started with Vyvanse. I had terrible side-effects: constipation, inability to urinate (I would have an extreme desire to pee like if I didn't immediately go to the bathroom I was going to pee my pants. Then, I would stand there for 20 to 30 seconds before beginning an it would be a squirt, then another 10 sec's with another squirt and when I couldn't go anymore it felt like I hadn't emptied my bladder.) I would get terrible acid-indigestion, my back would hurt, headaches, and the worse of all the side-effects was the numbness in my hands and feet. The numbness at night got to a point that my fingers felt like they were on fire(literally burning). I actually had to wear wrist bands, like people who have carpel tunnel syndrome, and that would alleviate the burning enuf to go to sleep. The doctor changed my medication to Adderall and I had identical side-effects; no worse, but no less. He suggested that I continue the medication and eventually the side effects will dissipate. I took the Adderall for a year and 1/2 and the side effects never lessened.(by the way, I'm not a masochist). I just enjoyed the psychological benefits so much that I continued to soldier-on with the terrible side effects so I could have focus, have conversations, organize my thoughts, have less depression, be calm etc.,etc. The misery finally won over and I quit taking the medication. Nearly a year later I was so upset that I couldn't have the good without the bad. I nearly begged my doctor for something else that could help. This is 2014 and I first started ADHD medication in 2009 with horrible results. It took me badgering my doctor to get him to give me Ritalin. His first response was: "Ritalin is for children" but he finally gave me a prescription and all I can say is WOW! All the ADHD problems addressed and no side-effects. It's only been 2 months on Ritalin but when I took the other drugs I experienced the side-effects within 2 days.Read More Read Less

My son has been taking this for 4 months, starting just after he turned 6. He has done a total 180. He went from almost being expelled in kindergarten to a star student. His handwriting is now legible and he can sit and read me a book with no problem. I went from not wanting to medicate my child to grateful that I did. It didn't make him a zombie and he still has plenty of personality. This drug won't work for everyone, and can have some horrible effects on some people. All ADHD drugs are trial and error. He does metabolize it faster than he should so we only get about 10 hours out of a 12 hour dose but on the plus side of that, he sleeps fine. He did stop asking to eat throughout the day, and lost weight as a result but his Dr talked to HIM about eating and eating high protein foods so he wouldn't lose anymore. A month later, he had gained all but 2 oz of it back. We still have to remind him to eat but he will if he's asked to. I've known since he was 2 that he had ADHD and I'm glad that I finally decided to address medicating him. He's now the delightful little boy I knew was always in him somewhere. My family and friends have noticed the huge change and now ask him to have sleepovers and playdates, which almost never happened before Concerta. He'll start going to Boys & Girls Club in the fall after school and he's super excited, which would have never been possible without this medication.Read More Read Less

it has helped me stay focused on conversations and concentration

We are still trying to figure out WHAT drug will work for me.

Drugs impact is more far reaching than adhd symptoms. Virtually eliminated insomnia, impacted cholesterol numbers and stabilizd my blood pressure at great levels. After a lifetime of adhd coping mechanisms in place along with this relatively mild drug has worked wonders for me. In the years since restarting this drug as an adult I have made incredible professional and personal progress. I think too much unrealistic expectations are placed on this drug but it is not a magic pill. It works great for me used in conjunction with coping habits I have developed throughout my life. Read More Read Less

I have been on methylphenidate for almost a year now, and I believe it does what it is supposed to. I've been taking lexapro for 4 years now, and it did not interact negatively, which is a plus. I was prescribed methylphenidate because I would feel tired 24/7. And not just a little tired. I felt like I'd swam the English channel - after taking a 12 hour "nap." The issue for me is that my doctors prescribed it without stopping to consider why I had narcoleptic patterns. When I first started methylphenidate, the results were immediate and helpful. Unfortunately, methylphenidate can affect heart rate, as all stimulants can. Now the drug is of little use to me. I could take 50 mg and feel absolutely nothing. Besides building a tolerance, I think that methylphenidate is ineffective when the root of one's sleeping disorder lies within the cardiovascular system. I had an echocardiogram done and it turns out I have bradycardia, the symptoms of which were worsened by methylphenidate. For ADD, ADHD, and things of that nature, this medication seems effective. However, if I were a physician, I would think twice before prescribing it to someone just for the symptoms of sleeping spells and inability to concentrate. Needless to say, I won't be taking methylphenidate any longer and I'm going to see a new doctor. Make sure your doctor has ruled out heart and other cardio problems before starting you on methylphenidate. I feel more sleepy and unable to concentrate after taking it now, which is incredibly inconvenient seeing as how it's finals week. Also, as with any medication, be wary of dosage and how long you have to be on methylphenidate. I've heard some unfortunate stories from parents whose children were on it long-term and had some dependency and neurological issues. My experience was so-so, but I don't think it's the drug's fault. I say it's worth a try, since for the first month or so I did see a lovely improvement in my ability to stay conscious and focused. Read More Read Less

I was offered to take this when my fatigue from Fibromyalgia was Unacceptable ! I take 15 mg x a day. Wish I had more! Been about 2 years now- and it helped quite a bit - especially when I started school again at age 50! It was a gradual feeling- just made me able to be more alert and get through 6 hour lectures and 10 hour days. I also feel that I have to take breaks for it to work. Some days I don't feel anything and can sleep on it, too.

I have taken this drug before and for me it did not work very well, i do not have ADHD that bad and honestly people don't know unless I tell them my biggest problem is I am easily distracted. When i took this drug the first month everything was going good my penmanship improved greatly along with vocabulary but about 2 months in I was very irritable and I just feld so much anger and hatred towards everyone. By the 3rd month my mother had me seeing a psychologist because I beat my brother up pretty badly and was extremely aggressive, we later found out it was not me it was the medication. This drug can work but talk to your doctor if you notice some of the side affects listed on this site and I wouldn't pay attention to the "Sever", "Less Severe" part because it may affect you differently than it has others in the past.Read More Read Less

Better concentration and focus. Better able to stay on task. I do not feel it "kick in" it just works. I have not been nervous or jittery. It does make me feel like I do not want to eat and I have to make myself eat.

I have been taking Ritalin generic since elementary school and I am an attorney working at a first class law firm today. Other than dosage changes due to growing up, I have not developed any resistance to the effects and I have not formed a dependency. My vitals are normal or better.

compared to Provigil, this med is ..barely sufficient

I have Lyme dis. Extreme fat. Depression,lethargy,no energy!! Ritalin has helped regain my energy(;. It also helps me focus! Great mood booster(;!...!. Makes my mind clear,with Lyme you have brain fog,has alleviated this!! I function much better now(;!!!

If I could get a good generic of this drug I would rate it higher. Because of the shortage, the Mallincrodt brand, which is highly inferior, is most available. I have to take 3 instead of 2 to get the same effect. I am switching to Focalin.

I have taken 3 20mg tablets daily since 1990 in order to overcome daytime sleepiness due to central and obstructive sleep apnea. The c-pap has been unsuccessful. I have had zero side affects and never have I used more than 3 tablets daily. I have used 2x/day occasionally but got sleepy by 6p.m.Sleep study and other MD's all tried to get me off with no success (treatments did not work). I never have gotten a "high" from this drug..just stayed awake and acted normally. My wife and friends all state I am a zombie if I don't take at least 2 tablets. My heart, GP and other MDs have not seen adverse affects on me.Read More Read Less