Ritalin (Methylphenidate) Dosages for ADHD: Your GoodRx Guide

Ritalin (methylphenidate) is a stimulant medication that’s FDA approved to treat attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adults and children. It’s also approved to treat narcolepsy, a sleep disorder, in adults.

Ritalin is an effective medication overall, but it also comes with risks. Taking your doses exactly as prescribed can help limit side effects. Here, we’ll discuss typical Ritalin dosages for adults and kids, along with other important facts about this medication — such as what to do if you miss a dose.

What’s the typical Ritalin dosage for adults?

The typical Ritalin dosages for adults with ADHD and adults with narcolepsy are the same. You’ll likely take Ritalin 2 to 3 times daily for a total daily dose of between 20 mg to 30 mg. It’s best to take your doses 30 to 45 minutes before meals.

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If your ADHD symptoms aren’t well managed, and you’re not having major side effects, your prescriber may gradually increase your dosage. The maximum recommended Ritalin dosage is 60 mg per day. 

Ritalin is available in a few dosage forms, including:

• 5 mg, 10 mg, and 20 mg tablets

• 2.5 mg, 5 mg, and 10 mg chewable tablets

• 5 mg/5 mL and 10 mg/5 mL oral solution (Methylin)

What’s the typical Ritalin dosage for children?

Ritalin is only FDA approved to treat ADHD in children who are 6 to 17 years old. It’s not approved for narcolepsy in this age group.

Ritalin is a first-choice medication for ADHD in children and teens. The typical starting dosage is 5 mg twice daily before breakfast and lunch. If your child’s ADHD symptoms aren’t well managed, their prescriber may increase their doses by 5 to 10 mg on a weekly basis. The maximum daily dose is the same as for adults (60 mg per day).

Can you switch from Ritalin to Concerta?

If you’re taking Ritalin, you may be able to switch to Concerta, an extended-release (ER) version of methylphenidate. One advantage of Concerta over Ritalin is that Concerta only needs to be taken once a day in the morning. But it’s only approved for treating ADHD, not narcolepsy.

EXPERT PICKS: WHAT TO READ NEXT

• What makes Concerta and Ritalin different? Learn about the similarities and differences between these two forms of methylphenidate.

• What side effects can methylphenidate cause? Learn what side effects to watch for while taking Ritalin.

• Medications that interact with methylphenidate: Find out about possible methylphenidate interactions to look out for and why it’s wise to share an up-to-date list of medications with your healthcare team.

• Managing ADHD, beyond just medications: Learn more than two dozen strategies for managing ADHD symptoms.

If your prescriber approves a switch from Ritalin to Concerta, there’s a good chance your initial Concerta dosage will be based on your previous Ritalin dosage.

When do Ritalin dosages need to be adjusted?

Many medications have recommended dosage adjustments for people with liver or kidney disease, but this isn’t typically the case with Ritalin. However, there are still some instances in which you or your child may need to take a lower dosage.

If you’re having side effects

If Ritalin is causing you to experience side effects, such as low appetite, nausea, or trouble sleeping, you may benefit from a lower dosage. But keep in mind that some side effects can be managed without a dosage change. 

For example, if Ritalin is causing sleep issues, try taking your last dose before 6PM. And if it’s causing significant nausea or loss of appetite, talk to your prescriber about taking your doses with food instead of 30 to 45 minutes before meals. Taking Ritalin with food can help minimize its effects on your gut — even though the medication is absorbed better when it’s taken before a meal.

If you’re losing your appetite or experiencing weight loss, consider eating nutritious, high-calorie foods — especially in the evening. Examples include full-fat yogurt, nut butter, and dried fruit.

If Ritalin isn’t working

If you’re taking Ritalin and it doesn’t feel like your ADHD symptoms are improving, talk to your prescriber. They may recommend a higher dosage.

To prevent drug interactions

Ritalin can interact with other medications. Some potential interactions may warrant a change in your Ritalin dosage (or the dosage of an interacting medication). In some cases, you may need to avoid Ritalin (or the other medication) completely. 

For example, you should avoid taking antidepressants called monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) within 2 weeks of your last Ritalin dose (and vice versa). Examples of MAOIs include phenelzine (Nardil) and selegiline (Emsam, Zelapar). Combining Ritalin with MAOIs can have serious risks, such as dangerously high blood pressure.

Ritalin can interact with other antidepressants, too. Examples include selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs). Ritalin may increase the blood levels of these medications. It can also increase blood levels of a blood thinner called warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven). You may need a lower dosage of these medications if you take Ritalin.

To prevent drug interactions, give your healthcare team a list of the medications you take before starting Ritalin. This will help them check for potential interactions and prevent them from happening.

What happens if you miss a dose of Ritalin?

If you forget to take a dose of Ritalin, what to do next depends on how long it’s been since the missed dose.

Ritalin typically works in the body for 3 to 4 hours at a time. So if you have less than 4 hours until your next Ritalin dose, you may need to skip the missed dose and wait for the next one.

It’s especially important to avoid taking your last dose of the day within 4 hours of bedtime. Taking Ritalin too close to bedtime can cause insomnia (inability to sleep). If you miss your last dose of the day and you have less than 4 hours before it’s time to go to sleep, skip the dose and resume your usual schedule the following day.

What should you do if you take too much Ritalin?

Taking too much Ritalin increases the risk of side effects, including increased heart rate, high blood pressure, and mood changes. More seriously, it can cause severe health events, such as a heart attack or seizures.

Ritalin misuse, which refers to taking Ritalin differently than how it’s prescribed, can also lead to stimulant use disorder or stimulant overdose. That’s why it’s important to take Ritalin — which is a controlled substance — exactly as prescribed. 

If you don’t feel like your ADHD symptoms are well managed with your current dosage, talk to your prescriber about adjusting it. But don’t make any changes without talking to them first.

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Written by:

Amy B. Gragnolati, PharmD, BCPS

Amy Gragnolati, PharmD, BCPS, is a pharmacy editor for GoodRx. Amy currently holds her pharmacist license in Georgia and California.

Edited by:

Joshua Murdock, PharmD, BCBBS

Joshua Murdock, PharmD, BCBBS, is a licensed pharmacist in Arizona, Colorado, and Rhode Island. He has worked in the pharmacy industry for more than 10 years and currently serves as a pharmacy editor for GoodRx.

Reviewed by:

Austin Ulrich, PharmD, BCACP

Austin Ulrich, PharmD, BCACP, is a board-certified ambulatory care clinical pharmacist. In his early career, he provided direct patient care in a variety of settings, including hospital and community pharmacies, and in a primary care clinic as a clinical pharmacist.

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