RITALIN may cause serious side effects, including: Abuse, misuse, and addiction. RITALIN has a high chance for abuse and misuse and may lead to substance use problems, including addiction. Misuse and abuse of RITALIN, other methylphenidate containing medicines, and amphetamine containing medicines, can lead to overdose and death. The risk of , The brand names of this medication are Methylin® and Ritalin®. Advertisement. Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy. What is this medication?, Ritalin is a prescription drug used to treat ADHD and narcolepsy in adults and certain children. Learn about the drug’s dosage, forms, strengths, and more., Find patient medical information for Methylphenidate (Concerta, Ritalin, and others) on WebMD including its uses, side effects and safety, interactions, pictures, warnings, and user ratings, Methylphenidate hydrochloride (Ritalin) is a stimulant medication that's used for treating attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and narcolepsy (daytime sleepiness) in adults and children ages 6 years and older. It works by raising the levels of certain chemicals in your brain to keep you focused and awake., Ritalin and Ritalin LA are brand-name drugs that contain the active drug methylphenidate. This active drug is also available as a generic medication. A generic drug is an exact copy of the active .