Ritalin is a central nervous system stimulant that is used to treat children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder or ADHD. It is also used to treat patients with narcolepsy.

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• Ritalin was first introduced in 1956

• the generic name for Ritalin is methylphenidate

• if you miss a dose of your child's Ritalin, you should usually skip it and not take it too late in the day

• short acting Ritalin is available in 5mg, 10mg, and 20mg tablets that are usually taken two or three times a day

• Focalin (dexmethylphenidate) and Focalin XR are made of just one part or isomer of Ritalin and leaves another part