Ritalin - Drug History and Medical Facts

The active ingredient present in Ritalin is Methylphenidate. This substance is, in fact, a psychostimulant and it is used in the medicated therapies of the attention-deficit disorder. The pharmaceutical product is identified by its trademarked denomination of Ritalin - initially given in 1948.

The product of the Novartis Corporation was first authorized by the Food and Drug Administration in 1955. It was intended as a remedy of ADHD. In 1960 physicians began to prescribe it, but Ritalin got to a point where medical authorities heavily prescribed it in the 90s, due to the fact that it was then when ADHD itself became extensively accepted.

ADHD, as well as some other medical conditions are thought to be connected to sub-performance of the serotonin secretion processes in the human brain. Thus ADHD is held accountable for compromising the patient's focus, behaviour, determination and executive function. Ritalin mainly functions by decreasing the removal of norepinephrine and serotonin. These actions improve the performance levels, as well as the utility of the neurotransmitters inside the human brain.

Ritalin can certainly be prescribed for usage in situations of lethargy and depression that resist to the treatment. The molecular structure of Methylphenidate incorporates a phenethylamine skeleton. Therefore, it actually enhances the amounts of dopamine, as well as norepinephrine inside the brain - it does this by way of inhibiting the reuptake of the monoamine transporters. Ritalin also shows a pharmacological similarity to cocaine, even though MPH is much less potent and more extended in duration.

Methylphenidate, as the active ingredient present in Ritalin, is made in the United States of America, Pakistan, Mexico and Spain. Ritalin is also available in the UK, as well as in Germany and Spain, along with other European and Asian nations.

A psychosis that usually emerges during the treatment with Ritalin can only occur in the course of long-term use of methylphenidate. Typical psychiatric monitoring of individuals who are taking Ritalin for adverse effects such as psychotic symptomatology continues to be advised. Men and women with ADHD have an enhanced risk of drug abuse. However, stimulant medicines cut down this danger. In most of the isolated situations, a Ritalin overdose is not accompanied by any symptoms or only incurs subtle signs and symptoms.

Ritalin was initially synthesized in the year 1944. The formula was commonly known as MPH - derived from methylphenidate. Later, in 1950, Ritalin was improved and by the mid 50s it was already being tested on people. In '57, pharmaceutical companies started advertising and marketing MPH under the trademarked name of Ritalin.

The drug was intended to treat chronic and extreme fatigue, anxiety and depression, as well as psychosis linked to depressive circumstances. After that, during the 60s, Ritalin was employed in attempts to counteract the signs and symptoms of eventual barbiturate overdoses.

During that period, Ritalin or MPH was actually sold in mixture with beverages, specifically a tonic of Methylphenidate, essential vitamins, along with hormones. The product was known as Ritonic and it was intended to improve the state of mind and sustain vitality.

Medical interest in regards to Ritalin focused on hyperkinetic syndrome therapies. This syndrome would at some point be referred to as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. In the USA, the use of MPH stimulants necessary for the treatment of ADHD steadily grew in the 70s, but also in the early 80s. Nonetheless, in the 90s, MPH sales in the USA grew by an alarming 500%. The UN reports that the USA produces, but also consumes roughly 85% of the global production of Methylphenidate.

In a similar way to cocaine, Methylphenidate enhances the activity of dopamine. This is actually a neurotransmitter related to pleasure and it is essential for reinforcement of normal human behavior. Drugs such as amphetamines virtually stimulate the secretion of dopamine. Nevertheless, Ritalin, as well as cocaine act by blocking the reuptake of dopamine into the nervous cell that initially released it.

Ritalin helps individuals with ADHD, because of the fact that they are considered to have additional dopamine transporters - compared to other individuals. The surplus of these transporters eliminates dopamine from the nervous synapse just before it can actually reach a so-called reward receptor in the receiving nervous cell. As a consequence the attention is diminished in an ADHD brain.

Ritalin makes it possible for extra dopamine to get to nervous receptors, hence increasing focus, which helps individuals who suffer from ADHD to concentrate effectively. Ritalin increases the levels of dopamine in roughly 60 minutes. However, Ritalin can also be inhaled. In such a case, the effect on the brain is immediate.