Have you been diagnosed with adult attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)? Are you exploring first-time or new medication options? Maybe your healthcare provider is suggesting starting Ritalin (methylphenidate), and you’re wondering when starting Ritalin what to expect as an adult.

In this post, we cover everything you need to know about starting Ritalin as an adult, including:

How Ritalin works
Ritalin’s effects on the body
What taking Ritalin to manage ADHD symptoms feels like
Potential side effects of Ritalin
Possible drug interactions with other medications
How to use Ritalin properly to manage your ADHD symptoms

If you’re looking for fast, convenient treatment for your ADHD symptoms and think Ritalin might be the right medication, book an appointment on Klarity Health today and get started with ADHD treatment in as little as 24 hours.*

How Ritalin works

Ritalin is a neuro-stimulant medication that was first U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved to treat ADHD in adults in the mid-1950s. Ritalin is proven safe and effective and considered the first-line drug for treating ADHD.

Ritalin increases the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine in your brain. These 2 neurotransmitters are essential chemical messengers partially responsible for regulating motivation, action, and cognition.

What does dopamine do?

Dopamine is a critical neurotransmitter in the reward system of the brain. As a result, dopamine levels directly affect a person’s motivation, memory, and ability to learn, alongside other factors. Dopamine also plays a smaller role in your body’s fight-or-flight response.

Dopamine helps regulate the following:

Pleasurable reward and motivation
Behavior and cognition
Sleep and arousal
Mood
Learning
Attention
Movement
Memory

What does norepinephrine do?

Norepinephrine is both a hormone and a neurotransmitter. It plays a vital function all over the body, helping trigger the fight or flight response across multiple organ systems.

As a neurotransmitter, norepinephrine helps regulate:

Wake and sleep cycles
Alertness
Increasing attention and maintaining focus
Memory storage
Mood

As a hormone, norepinephrine helps your body physically adapt to stress:

Dilates pupils
Increases heart rate and blood pressure
Increases blood flow and oxygen to muscles
Deepens breathing
Improves energy

The effects on the body from Ritalin in adults

Even though Ritalin works primarily by increasing neurotransmitter levels in your brain, its effects are felt throughout the body due to norepinephrine and dopamine’s role in regulating the fight or flight response across multiple organ systems.

Central nervous system effects from Ritalin

In adult ADHD patients, Ritalin improves concentration, decreases restlessness, and increases attention span. It can, however, increase irritability and anxiety in some patients and may lead to depression.

Stimulants, including Ritalin, may cause you to experience blurry vision. The stimulant effects of Ritalin can also cause insomnia and lead to daytime drowsiness. If you experience any of these unwanted side effects, be sure to let your doctor know immediately.

Circulatory system effects

Increased body temperature, heart rate, and blood pressure can happen when taking Ritalin. If you have a known heart condition or a history of hypertension (high blood pressure), you may not be able to use Ritalin. These side effects are typically temporary for patients without these conditions and will subside after a few weeks.

If you notice that your toes and fingers are cold or have bluish discoloration, it may indicate that Ritalin is causing peripheral circulatory problems. Let your doctor know immediately.

Digestive system effects when starting Ritalin as an adult

Ritalin can decrease appetite, which may lead to unintentional weight loss. Some patients initially develop nausea and diarrhea when starting Ritalin; however, these side effects typically subside with continued medication use.

Respiratory system effects

Rapid breathing can be common when you start Ritalin but should diminish within a few days of starting Ritalin. If rapid breathing persists, talk to your healthcare provider.

Muscular and skeletal system effects

Ritalin can cause muscle weakness and pain as well as joint discomfort. These symptoms usually happen if you’re using too much Ritalin, which may mean your Ritalin dose needs adjusted or you should stop taking it.

Reproductive system effects from Ritalin in adults

After prolonged use of Ritalin or when the dose is increased, some men can have long, painful erections. This condition, known as priapism, may require medical intervention.

Starting Ritalin — what to expect as an adult

Adult ADHD patients starting Ritalin typically describe feeling focused, in control, and having a sense of clarity. As a stimulant, Ritalin can make you feel “up,” alert, awake, filled with a sense of euphoria, or more talkative. All of these feelings can be helpful to carry out daily activities and tasks and make you more efficient and effective.

On the other hand, note if you become agitated, irritable, or aggressive, your skin feels tingly, or you feel like electricity is running through you. You may be “overstimulated” and should discuss these symptoms with a board-certified ADHD-trained medical provider.

Ritalin side effects in adults

As with all medications, Ritalin can cause side effects. Most of these side effects are temporary and can be safely managed with the help of your healthcare provider. Side effects when taking or starting Ritalin as an adult include:

Fast heart rate
Headache
Trouble sleeping
Anxiety
Excessive sweating
Weight loss
Decreased hunger
Dry mouth
Irregular heartbeat
Nausea
Stomach pain
High blood pressure
Painful erections
High blood pressure
Unexplained wounds appearing on fingers or toes

Ritalin is habit-forming and can lead to substance use disorder if misused

As a Schedule II stimulant, Ritalin and generic methylphenidate are classified as a controlled substance by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). This means it has the potential for abuse and dependence.

Though Ritalin is effective for managing the symptoms of ADHD, it should only be used as prescribed and under the guidance of a healthcare professional.

Signs of Ritalin dependence may manifest in different ways. Individuals may find that they require higher doses of the medication to achieve the desired effects over time, or they might experience withdrawal symptoms when they stop taking Ritalin.

Ritalin isn’t the only Schedule II stimulant that carries these risks. Other stimulant medications in this class include:

Concerta (methylphenidate): a stimulant medication, like Ritalin, that’s chemically different from amphetamines but has similar effects.
Adderall (amphetamine/dextroamphetamine): a stimulant used for both ADHD and narcolepsy
Dexedrine (dextroamphetamine): an amphetamine medication used for ADHD and narcolepsy.
Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine): a prodrug that remains inactive until metabolized in the body and is prescribed for ADHD and binge eating disorder.
Desoxyn (methamphetamine): a potent central nervous system stimulant is used in rare instances to treat ADHD and obesity treatment.

Fortunately, when used as directed by a healthcare professional, the risk of developing a Ritalin dependence is reduced. It’s important to be open with your healthcare providers when being prescribed Ritalin to ensure this medication is the best one for you.

Ritalin withdrawal

You can have Ritalin withdrawal symptoms if you stop taking Ritalin or generic methylphenidate abruptly. Symptoms of withdrawal can include:

Fatigue and lethargy
Depression or anxiety
Irritability or agitation
Difficulty sleeping or insomnia
Increased appetite
Headaches
Difficulty concentrating or remembering
Flu-like symptoms such as muscle aches and pains, chills, and sweating

Symptoms of withdrawal can vary in severity depending on your dosage of Ritalin and the length of time you’ve taken it. You’re more likely to have symptoms of withdrawal if you’ve been on high doses for a long time and have developed some tolerance.

The best way to minimize potential withdrawal is to gradually lower your dose with your healthcare provider’s guidance. This lets your body adjust to the lower dosage of Ritalin more slowly and may help reduce the severity of withdrawal symptoms.

Drug interactions to know about before starting Ritalin

Antidepressants: some antidepressants, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), can increase the levels of Ritalin in the body, which can lead to a greater risk of side effects, like high blood pressure, heart palpitations, and insomnia.
Blood pressure medications: certain blood pressure medications, such as beta-blockers, can interfere with the effectiveness of Ritalin and decrease its ability to control symptoms of ADHD.
Antipsychotics: Antipsychotic medications can interfere with the effectiveness of Ritalin and decrease its ability to control symptoms of ADHD.
Seizure medications: some seizure medications, such as phenytoin and carbamazepine, can increase the metabolism of Ritalin, which can lower its effectiveness.
Antacids: antacids can increase the absorption of Ritalin, leading to higher levels of the drug in the body and an increased risk of side effects.
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs): When taken with Ritalin, MAOIs can increase the effects of Ritalin and lead to potentially life-threatening side effects, such as high blood pressure, fever, seizures, and coma. Ritalin shouldn’t be taken with MAOIs or within 14 days of stopping MAOI treatment, as there may be a risk of a dangerous drug interaction.

It’s important to talk to your healthcare provider about any medications or supplements you take, including over-the-counter products, to ensure they are safe to take with Ritalin and other central nervous system stimulants.

Your provider can help you avoid drug interactions and adjust your medication regimen.

Talk to a board-certified ADHD-trained medical provider about Ritalin

Starting any new medication requires self-education and preparation. A healthcare professionally also needs to ensure a prescription medication is medically necessary for you. Before taking Ritalin or another ADHD treatment to manage your ADHD symptoms, you want to talk to an ADHD specialist who can help you create an effective treatment plan.

On Klarity Health, find an ADHD-trained mental health provider who can diagnose and prescribe ADHD treatments like Ritalin if you need one in 24 hours or less.* Find an ADHD provider now.

FAQs about starting Ritalin and what to expect as an adult

How long does it take for Ritalin to start working in adults?: No matter what form of Ritalin you take, how long it takes Ritalin to start working in adults is the same for both the standard release form and the long-acting (LA) form. Both start to take effect in 20 minutes to an hour.

Note that when you start taking Ritalin, your provider will have you start at a smaller dose and gradually increase your dose every 1 to 3 weeks until you reach the right maintenance dose for you. You may not realize the full benefits of Ritalin until you find your ideal maintenance dose.
How long does it take for Ritalin to wear off for an adult?: An immediate-release capsule of Ritalin takes 4 to 6 hours to wear off. But the extended-release capsule of methylphenidate, such as Ritalin LA (long-acting), effectively controls ADHD symptoms for 8 to 10 hours.
What can you do if Ritalin makes you sleepy?: While Ritalin is sometimes used to help people sleep, some people taking it can experience the side effects of lethargy or fatigue. This may be due to its effect on serotonin levels which affect melatonin. Some think it’s a result of your body being able to pay more attention to how it feels and already being tired, and just now realizing it.

Recommended steps to take if Ritalin makes you sleepy include:

Avoiding driving and other activities where sleepiness poses a hazard.
Following good sleep hygiene — going to bed at the same time every day, avoiding caffeine and alcohol late in the day, avoiding electronic devices close to bedtime, and getting, etc.
Adjusting when you take your medication.
Talking to your healthcare provider about a lower dose or alternate medication.
Does Ritalin help anxiety in adults?: Ritalin and generic methylphenidate can help reduce anxiety for some adults. In other adults, it can make anxiety symptoms worse and cause increased feelings of restlessness or nervousness. Read more about ADHD medications for adult anxiety. And talk to your provider if you have both ADHD and anxiety to find the right treatment for you.
Is Ritalin safe for older adults?: The use of standard-release and long-acting release Ritalin haven’t been studied in elderly or geriatric people. They are proven safe and effective for adults in general though. With their potential side effects on blood pressure and heart rate, anyone taking Ritalin should be cautious. And older adults who may be more prone to heart problems, should be carefully screened and monitored before and while taking Ritalin.
Why does Ritalin make adults feel calm?: In adult patients with ADHD, Ritalin increases the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain. These increased neurotransmitter levels allow for an overall improvement in executive functioning, making you feel calm and in control of your ability to handle activities and tasks rather than be overwhelmed by them.
How do you take Ritalin as an adult correctly?: Ritalin is a controlled substance. You should only take Ritalin as prescribed by your healthcare provider. Once on Ritalin, you need to be monitored to see if it works as intended and without unwanted or unmanageable symptoms and side effects.

For most adults starting immediate-release capsules of Ritalin, you’ll take your medication 2 or 3 times a day, 30 to 45 minutes before a meal. For Ritalin LA (long-acting), the extended-release formulation, you take it once per day. Your healthcare provider will ask you to adjust your dose as needed. Don’t adjust your dose on your own.

How we reviewed this article: This article went through rigorous fact-checking by a team of medical reviewers. Reviewers are trained medical professionals who ensure each article contains the most up-to-date information, and that medical details have been correctly interpreted by the author. Learn more about the editorial and medical review process and standards for the HelloKlarity site.

*Appointments are generally available within 24 hours. Free initial consultations are available only with select providers. Prescriptions, particularly for controlled substances, may require an in-person evaluation depending on the state of residence and current federal regulations.

The information provided in this article is for educational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice. Controlled substances may not be appropriate for all patients and any mention of these medications is for educational purposes only, not for marketing or encouraging self-diagnosis. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare professional with any questions or concerns you have regarding your health. Providers on Klarity Health are independent practitioners with clinical autonomy. Nothing in this article is intended to diagnose or treat any condition, including guaranteeing prescription medication of any kind or dosage. Not all providers on Klarity Health prescribe all medications, particularly medications that are controlled substances.

If you’re having a mental health crisis or experiencing a psychiatric emergency, it’s crucial to seek immediate help from a mental healthcare professional, such as a psychiatrist, psychologist, or therapist. You can also call your local emergency services, visit your nearest emergency room, or contact a crisis hotline, such as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, by calling or texting 988 or dialing the Lifeline’s previous phone number, 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255) in the U.S.