Introduction Methylphenidate (Ritalin) is a central nervous system stimulant prescribed to treat narcolepsy and attention-deficit disorders. It was patented in 1950 by the CIBA Pharmaceutical Company and was approved by the FDA, (Federal Drug Association), in 1955. It is classified in the DSM IV as a “highly addictive controlled substance” along with cocaine, due to its amphetamine-like effects. It increases the attention span of children with Attention-Deficit Disorder/Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADD/ADHD). It also decreases restlessness, …showed first 75 words of 1236 total…

…showed last 75 words of 1236 total…Family Physician 1 Jan. 2001 (63) : 144 The P-I-E-N-O Parkinson's List Drug Database: Ritalin (online) Available: http://www.parkinsons-information-exchange-network-online.com/drugdb/083.html Ritalin’s redemption: ABC News. (online) Available: http://www.abcnews.go.com/sections/living/InYourHead/allinyourhead_16.html Russel, Jeanie. “The Pill that Teachers Push.” Wu, Corrina. “Ritalin May Work Better As A Purer Compound.” Science News (153) April 4, 1998: 213-214 Zito, J.M. “Trends in the Prescribing of Psychotropic Medications of Preschoolers.” Journal of the American Medical Association 283 (2000): 1025-1030.