HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients
Book a video visit
HealthTap
Telehealth
A member asked:

What are the effects of ritalin (methylphenidate) on autism and adhd?

A doctor has provided 1 answer

Similar in both: Methylphenidate (ritalin) is a psychostimulant. The most common side effects (se) are loss of appetite, headache, nausea, stunted growth, restlessness and increased heart rate. Common side effects often not recognized are increased anger and/or dysphoria (unhappiness). The positive effects are reduced hyperactivity, improved attention and better focus. Children w/ ASD are more prone to ses.

Dr Altman and another doctor agreed

Answered 4/11/2016

5.3k views

Thank
Show 1 more comment

Related Questions

A member asked:

What happens if I were to stop my antidepressant or ritalin, (methylphenidate) would my ADHD symptoms return?

6 doctors weighed in across 2 answers

A member asked:

Can you tell me if i were to stop my antidepressant or ritalin, (methylphenidate) would my ADHD symptoms return?

A doctor has provided 1 answer

A member asked:

Why are there so many types of ADHD meds and which one is the best for me to use? My doc started me on ritalin (methylphenidate)

11 doctors weighed in across 4 answers

A member asked:

Will someone taking ADHD meds like ritalin (methylphenidate) need to elevate the dose by the time ? I mean will his body need every period of time higher doses ?

6 doctors weighed in across 2 answers

A member asked:

I have ADHD and was on ritalin (methylphenidate). But every time "that time of the month" rolled around I would get panic attacks and was unable to tolerate it. Why?

7 doctors weighed in across 4 answers

Sponsored Content
HealthTap Medical Group does not endorse products or services. Sponsored content revenues support our mission to make health information free and accessible to all.Learn more

People also searched for:

Is there an alternate to methylphenidate to cure/control ADHD in a 5 year old child, who also has mild autism and 2 instances of epileptic seizures?
Can i get prescribed Adderall or ritalin (methylphenidate) if I have autism? (more specifically speaking; asperger's syndrome?)
Good Morning,I currently take 200mg Limictin a day and they want to put me on Ritalin (methylphenidate) for adult ADHD. Is there a chance of bad side effects?
Hi! I wanted to know what happens if a person WITHOUT ADD or ADHD takes a pill of ritalin (methylphenidate)? What are the effects
What happens if somebody who doesn't have ADHD tries ritalin (methylphenidate)?

Telemedicine

Primary Care
Manage Your Conditions
Women's Health
Children's Health
Men's Health
Senior Health
Wellness, Prevention & Lifestyle
Sexual Health
Mental & Behavioral Health
Travel Medicine
Urgent Care
Ask your question
Didn't find what you're looking for?

90,000 U.S. doctors in 147 specialties are here to answer your questions or offer you advice, prescriptions, and more.

Ask your question

More of what we treat

Allergies
Antibiotics
Asthma
High Blood Pressure
Prescriptions
Type 2 Diabetes
Content on HealthTap (including answers) should not be used for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and interactions on HealthTap do not create a doctor-patient relationship. Never disregard or delay professional medical advice in person because of anything on HealthTap. Call your doctor or 911 if you think you may have a medical emergency.
HealthTap
HIPAA logo
HIPAASecure
Soc 2 Type 2 logo
SOC 2 Type 2Certified
JCAHO Accredited
JCAHOAccredited
Member App

Download HealthTap

Video visit and message your doctor

Member App QR Code
Play Store Member LinkApp Store Member Link

Questions?

+1 (888) 828-0841support@healthtap.com
LinkedInTwitter
HomeTermsPrivacyCookiesDMCAHealth TopicsDoctors DirectoryDoctor Q&A by Specialty
Copyright 2026 HealthTap, Inc.