Ritalin and Nausea: What Users Say

• Sky...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 19, 2022

For ADHD "Just got diagnosed with ADHD and prescribed Ritalin (10 mg 3 times a day, starting with 1 and increasing it every few days). It’s my 6th day taking it, and it feels like it’s doing the complete opposite of what it should be doing. It’s worsened my anxiety and depression, I feel robotic and numb, my moods fluctuate more than usual, I can’t focus, I feel tired and lethargic, irritable, nauseous, dizzy, racing heart, and none of my usual coping mechanisms that I had before I started meds are helping at all. It’s helped so little and made me feel so much worse. I've started dreading having to take them. I called my doctor today and am waiting for him to call back so I can speak to him about it."

• Anonymous
• April 7, 2008

For ADHD "My doctor originally put me on Ritalin, and I stayed on it for 2 months. It made me very sick to my stomach, although it did improve my concentration. I have since switched to another medication and am doing much better."

• zza...
• December 20, 2017

For ADHD "I'm 18 years old and just got prescribed Ritalin for ADD. The first day I was studying for 5 hours and then felt completely drained mentally. In general, I can do a lot more than before, but I feel like it's losing effect very quickly, as I can't feel it anymore, so I don't take it when I don't have to study (so I don't get too high of a tolerance). I started on 10 mg once a day, and after a week, I upped to 10 mg 3 times a day. I drink a lot of coffee, guarana, and stuff, so the effects are better. If I finish high school, it will be because of Ritalin."

• ali...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 19, 2017

For ADHD "I started taking Ritalin recently, and it has already dramatically changed my life. I was diagnosed with nervous depression last year and prescribed Zoloft, which significantly drew me out of my depression. But Ritalin made me understand what it is like to be highly functioning. I cried after the first day I took it out of pure elation. I was able to stay awake at school the whole day (a huge personal rarity for me), and I stayed on topic and could hold conversations way easier after the first week. I stopped being so scatterbrained. My only complaint would be slight nausea and insomnia. I just wish it helped with my hyperspaces, as I am still jittery, but I am on a low dose."

• Fta...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 24, 2020

For ADHD "Slightly improves my working memory, noticed I'm not forgetting things so much, can pay attention when people are explaining things to me too. Initially was making me jittery, but that has gone away now. Unfortunately, it makes me extremely nauseous, so I'd like to change meds."

• Sar...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• March 17, 2016

For ADHD "I was first given Ritalin at 6 years old. Ritalin made it hard for me to sleep. Being on Ritalin made me feel nauseous. Ritalin caused tremors in my arms. Being forced to take Ritalin made me self-conscious. Ritalin increased my anxiety. My anxiety turned into panic attacks, so I was prescribed antidepressants like Zoloft, Wellbutrin, and Effexor. I was also prescribed Lamictal, an anti-convulsant. For me, Ritalin was the 'gateway drug.'"

• Ano...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 16, 2016

For ADHD "I took 15 mg instant release Ritalin for ADHD, to combat daytime sleepiness and focus on med school studies. I have mixed feelings about this medication. It improved my focus a lot, but it also had some negative effects. I was very nauseous after taking the pill and would sometimes gag. Nausea was absent on days I didn't take it. I had no appetite, so I wasn't eating enough, which isn't ideal because I am already thin and not looking to lose weight. I would try to eat before taking the pill, but I did notice either a decreased efficacy of the drug. It also increased my heart rate to about 120 beats per min (I am normally about 75). This did help me feel motivated and get work done, I just wish I didn't experience these side effects."

• Ano...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 16, 2016

For ADHD "I took 15 mg instant release Ritalin for ADHD, to combat daytime sleepiness and focus on med school studies. I have mixed feelings about this medication. It improved my focus a lot, but it also had some negative effects. I was very nauseous after taking the pill and would sometimes gag. Nausea was absent on days I didn't take it. I had no appetite, so I wasn't eating enough, which isn't ideal because I am already thin and not looking to lose weight. I would try to eat before taking the pill, but I did notice either a decreased efficacy of the drug. It also increased my heart rate to about 120 beats per min (I am normally about 75). This did help me feel motivated and get work done, I just wish I didn't experience these side effects."

• Jul...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 20, 2022

For ADHD "49-year-old female. Just started Ritalin 4 days ago. 5 mg twice daily for 3 days, and today was 10 mg twice daily. I feel great all day at work. I'm very focused, not at all stressed at my job. I feel really good. I've been on medication for depression and anxiety since I was in my late teens. Ritalin has made a huge difference already, however, when it wears off, I crash and do not like the effects. I get irritable, headaches, nauseous, and very fatigued. I'm not sure this is the one for me."