Canada
A 39-year-old female asked:
Can high doses of prescribed ritalin (methylphenidate) (110mg) cause brain damage? memory loss? apathy? is this reversible?
3 doctor answers • 5 doctors weighed in
Dr. Vladimir Lipovetskyanswered
Psychiatry 31 years experience
Side effects: Notable damage at that dose is unlikely. Side effects of the high dose or hyper-focus side effect can produce some of these. The effects are not permanent.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
Dr. Jessica Allananswered
Internal Medicine 25 years experience
Depends: Most of the literature states that the dose should not exceed 60 mg per day. Acute toxicity to methylphenidate overdose results in symptoms like euphoria, delirium, confusion, toxic psychosis, and hallucinations, aggressive behavior, panic. The brain is neuroplastic. Each patient responds differently to medications. I would speak to the doctor who knows the pt and is prescribing the med about bd.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Julie Abbottanswered
Preventive Medicine 47 years experience
110 mg IS a lot: The maximum approved dose of methylphenidate/Ritalin is 60 mg/day so all the side effect data is based on this dosing. High doses raise concern for abuse causing a picture similar to cocaine abuse. High doses would be expected to cause disorientation, hallucinations, confusion more than memory loss and apathy. Close medical supervision to reduce dosage is needed. This is a dangerous situation.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Last updated Feb 26, 2015
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