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Recently the United States and Canada issued a warning against the increasing misuse of Ritalin for ADHD. Between 1990 and 1995 the Ritalin sales figures have multiplied by 2,5 in those countries.
In Belgium, sales returns have risen comparably, although the country has a proportionally lower ADHD treatment ratio. The extended therapy duration and the increased medical use by ADHD children without considerable hyperactivity may account for the risen use of Ritalin in the United States.
In Belgium as well, several professors of the Royal University KU Leuven, have warned against the excessive use of this drug.
It is common knowledge that ADHD requires a multidisciplinary approach. It is best to provide the ADHD diagnosis only after several consults, and it should be based on three key symptoms: hyperactivity, impulsivity and attention deficit. Thorough research and information about the child’s functioning through its parents and its school are indispensable. In fact, a Ritalin treatment should only be adopted after a full evalution of the child. Moreover, it is not a first-choice treatment and it should be regarded as part of a combination therapy, in which the child’s functioning at school and in the family should be supervised as well. The combination of a chronically low dosis, admitted orally and as treatment of correctly diagnosed ADHD, combined with a multidisciplinary approach is therefore not to be associated with Ritalin misuse.
However, when this drug against ADHD, also known as methylphenidatum, is prescribed improperly, because of overdosage or a wrong diagnosis, children are being unnecessarily exposed to Ritalin-linked risks (potentially addictive character, insomnia, anorexia,…).
Therefore, one should be very cautious when prescribing this drug against ADHD.
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