Was Your Child Given Ritalin for ADHD?

The FDA's Pediatric Advisory Committee is examining the safety of Ritalin, a drug which contains the active ingredient methylphenidate. Reported psychiatric Ritalin side effects include: suicidal thoughts, aggression, psychotic behavior and hallucinations. The FDA plans to add new Ritalin warnings (Ritalin Black Box Warning) to their labels that emphasize the seriousness of these psychiatric side effects. Ritalin side effects include: cardiac arrhythmia, tachycardia, chest pain, and hypertension.

Ritalin side effects are also associated with other serious health issues. In one small study of 12 children, scientists from the University of Texas and the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center found a link between Ritalin and increased risk of cancer. The 12 children in the study taking Ritalin all experienced a significant increase in their level of chromosome abnormalities, occurrences which are associated with increased cancer risk and other adverse health effects.

The study is the first to look at the potential chromosome-damaging effects associated with methylphenidate, the generic name for Ritalin, the most widely prescribed drug used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder ( ADHD ).

 Additional side effects of Ritalin include:

• Loss of appetite
• Abdominal pain
• Sleep problems
• Headaches

If Ritalin is taken long term, children may be smaller as a result of the appetite suppression side effect.

If you or a loved one have taken Ritalin and have suffered due to Ritalin side effects contact a Ritalin lawyer at Charlip Law Group, LC or fill out a free, confidential case evaluation form and a representative will contact you with additional information.

At Charlip Law Group, LC our attorneys will represent you with the full consideration and respect you deserve. The lawyers at our firm bring many years of training and experience to the practice of law. Our multi-lingual staff will deal with your issues promptly. We are conveniently located in Broward County. Our South Florida location allows us to serve our clients in Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach Counties; throughout Florida and the United States. Contact Charlip Law Group, LC at our Hollywood, Florida offices toll-free at 1-800-773-1955 or 954-921-2131. You can send us a confidential email at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .