*An off-label use of a medication is a use that is not FDA-approved. Prescribers can decide to use a medication off-label because, in their professional judgment, they believe it may offer a benefit to someone.
Ritalin lasts in the body and can show up on urine and saliva samples for 1–3 days. Also, it stays in the hair for about 30 days. The amount of time Ritalin stays in the body depends on several individual factors, such as your dose, the type of formulation you take, your metabolism, and your general health.
If you’re your current prescription with a provider or are considering a prescription for Ritalin, you will be limited in your options for obtaining an assessment and prescription online. Circle Medical is an online psychiatry platform that can and will prescribe stimulant medications, which are controlled substances. They offer psychiatric assessments and prescription consultation, and can answer any questions you have about taking Ritalin.
Boxed Warning: Methylphenidate (Ritalin, Ritalin LA) – Risk of medication misuse or abuse
Methylphenidate, the active ingredient in Ritalin and Ritalin LA, has a black box warning. These are the most serious types of warnings from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Methylphenidate has a risk of misuse (abuse) which can lead to dependence on the medication.
Ritalin is a controlled substance, which means that it’s more likely to be misused or cause dependence. There are federal and state laws that limit the amount of medication that can be prescribed or dispensed within a certain period of time.
What Is Ritalin & How Does it Work?
Ritalin is a brand name for methylphenidate, which is also a stimulant.1,2 It is FDA-approved to treat attention-deficit hyperactivity disroder (ADHD) in people 6-65 years old and narcolepsy in adults.3 It acts similarly by blocking dopamine and norepinephrine transporters in nerve endings to increase dopamine and norepinephrine. Ritalin produces feelings of pleasure, motivation, and reward resulting in improved attention span and decreased distractibility.
Ritalin also has off-label uses for lack of interest or concern in Alzheimer’s disease,4 fatigue in patients with cancer,5 depression in geriatrics,6 and cognitive performance or memory.7 Off-label means a drug has not been approved by the FDA for a certain use, but a physician may choose to use the medication based on their professional judgment.
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For How Many Hours Does Ritalin Work?
Ritalin comes as a fast-acting formulation, which lasts in adults for about 4 hours, and sustained-release (SR), which lasts about 8 hours.1 It also comes as long-acting (LA) or extended-release (ER), which lasts up to 8 hours.2 It can take 30–45 minutes to feel the effects of any of these formulations.1 So, you should take your medication before you start school or work.
The SR or LA (ER) formulations may be best for some people since they can cover your symptoms for the whole day. The short-acting version is taken multiple times a day and may be more difficult to remember to take. The difference between the SR and LA formulations is that the LA formulation has an additional peak 4 hours later.2
The effects of Ritalin can include:1
- Headache
- Insomnia
- Upper abdominal pain
- Decreased appetite
- Anorexia
How Long Does Ritalin Stay in Your Body?
Ritalin stays in the body for a few days but can be detected for longer through hair samples. It can also be detected through urine, blood, or saliva. Accumulation can impact your test results depending on the type of test you take. So it may take more than a few days for Ritalin to wear off. You may be concerned about this for a drug test for school or athletics.
- Urine: about 1–3 days
- Blood: about 12 hours
- Saliva: about 1–3 days
- Hair: about 30 days
Factors Affecting How Long Ritalin Stays in the Body
Several individual factors can affect the amount of time it takes your body to get rid of Ritalin. There are several formulations of Ritalin that last different amounts of time. Also, 5 milligrams (mg) of Ritalin may be eliminated faster than 10 mg or 20 mg. Also, the liver can prioritize the elimination of other substances before getting rid of Ritalin. Some choices you make to speed up the process include incorporating healthy lifestyle habits.
Factors affecting how long Ritalin stays in your body include:
- Dosage and how often you take it: If you take a higher dose or take your medication multiple times a day, it can take longer for your body to eliminate it. Also, formulations that last longer can stay in the body for longer.
- The presence of other substances in your body: Other substances, like alcohol, can increase the amount of time it takes to get rid of Ritalin.
- Age: If you are older, it can take longer for your body to metabolize and get rid of Ritalin.
- Metabolism: Each person is different, so each person can metabolize Ritalin at different rates, leading to different rates of elimination.
- Kidney and liver function: Ritalin is metabolized by the liver and excreted by the kidneys. So if your kidney or liver function is impaired, it can take longer to eliminate Ritalin.
- Health status: Your overall health, diet, hydration, and amount of exercise you get can affect the elimination of Ritalin. If you are healthier, Ritalin will be eliminated faster.
How to Get Ritalin Out of Your System
You can speed up the process of getting Ritalin out of your system safely in a few ways. Some of these ways include eating healthy, doing strenuous exercises, and drinking enough water. Also, avoiding alcohol can help you metabolize Ritalin more quickly. You should not try to drink a large amount of water at one time, as this can be dangerous.
Can You Overdose on Ritalin?
It is possible to overdose on Ritalin.1 Overdosing on Ritalin means you took too much at one time and are having serious effects. You can overdose even at the amount your doctor has prescribed. Signs and symptoms of an overdose on Ritalin include vomiting, agitation, muscle twitching, seizures, or hallucinations. If you suspect you have overdosed, seek medical care immediately.
Symptoms of a Ritalin Overdose
The highest recommended dose of Ritalin is 60 mg, and an overdose on Ritalin can occur if you take more than this amount.1 Factors that can contribute to an overdose include if you take it with other stimulants such as caffeine or illicit drugs if you have heart conditions, or if you take more than you are prescribed.
Early signs of an overdose include increased heart rate, nausea, anxiety, sweating, and euphoria.1 Symptoms may progress to hallucinations, headaches, chest pain, abnormal muscle movements, seizures, or coma.8 The amount of time it takes to experience severe overdose symptoms can depend on the amount you take. However, the peak time for Ritalin absorption is about 2-5 hours.1
Common symptoms of a Ritalin overdose include:1
- Confusion
- Headaches
- Anxiety, agitation, or restlessness
- Sweating
- Fever
- Increased or irregular heart rate
- Palpitations
- High blood pressure
- Shortness of breath
- Pupil dilation
Ritalin is generally safe if taken as prescribed. However, if you experience any of these symptoms while taking Ritalin, you should seek immediate medical help. Contact 911, Poison Control, or go to the nearest emergency room. If possible, have someone drive you there. These symptoms can leave serious damage or be fatal if left untreated.
Getting Help for Ritalin Misuse
Treatment for Ritalin misuse should only be done under the medical supervision and care of a primary physician or psychiatrist. Sometimes SR or LA formulations are prescribed to avoid misuse.9 An extended formulation can help lower the risk of cravings.10 ,11 It can provide a steady release of medication, and doses can be gradually reduced over time. Finding a therapist to work with may also help. Online psychiatry services are available if you need to find a provider.
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Questions to Ask Your Healthcare Provider About How Long Ritalin Lasts
Questions to ask your care team about Ritalin alternatives include:
- Is it safe to take ADHD medication with my other medications?
- Am I at risk for side effects from ADHD medications or supplements if I am already taking other medications, such as antidepressants or anxiety medications?
- What ADHD medications should I consider for fewer side effects?
- Will my ADHD symptoms get better without medication?
- How can I prevent becoming dependent on Ritalin?
- What other ADHD medications are available?
- Are there supplements that I can take for ADHD?
- How long can I expect side effects to last?
- Will Ritalin be covered by my insurance?
- Does my medical history indicate a need to adjust my dosage?
- How long will it take before my symptoms improve?
- Should I let my therapist know I am taking this medication?
- What should I do if I want to stop taking Ritalin?
- How can I prevent a Ritalin crash?
In My Experience
In my experience, schools and employers are comfortable with people taking Ritalin so long as they can provide a prescription from their doctor. If you do need to clear the medication, ask your doctor how to do this to prevent side effects safely. It’s important to talk to your doctor about this topic and follow their guidance because serious side effects can occur if not taken correctly.
ChoosingTherapy.com strives to provide our readers with mental health content that is accurate and actionable. We have high standards for what can be cited within our articles. Acceptable sources include government agencies, universities and colleges, scholarly journals, industry and professional associations, and other high-integrity sources of mental health journalism. Learn more by reviewing our full editorial policy.
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Daily Med. (2022, October). LABEL: RITALIN- methylphenidate hydrochloride tablet. National Institute of Health National Library of Medicine. Retrieved from https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm
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Daily Med. (2023, June). LABEL: RITALIN LA- methylphenidate hydrochloride capsule, extended release. National Institute of Health National Library of Medicine. Retrieved from https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm
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American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). Arlington, VA.
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Rosenberg, P. B., Lanctôt, K. L., Drye, L. T., Herrmann, N., Scherer, R. W., Bachman, D. L., Mintzer, J. E., & ADMET Investigators (2013). Safety and efficacy of methylphenidate for apathy in Alzheimer’s disease: a randomized, placebo-controlled trial. The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 74(8), 810–816. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.4088/JCP.12m08099
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Escalante, C. P., Meyers, C., Reuben, J. M., Wang, X., Qiao, W., Manzullo, E., Alvarez, R. H., Morrow, P. K., Gonzalez-Angulo, A. M., Wang, X. S., Mendoza, T., Liu, W., Holmes, H., Hwang, J., Pisters, K., Overman, M., & Cleeland, C. (2014). A randomized, double-blind, 2-period, placebo-controlled crossover trial of a sustained-release methylphenidate in the treatment of fatigue in cancer patients. Cancer Journal (Sudbury, Mass.), 20(1), 8–14. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1097/PPO.0000000000000018
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Lavretsky, H., Reinlieb, M., St Cyr, N., Siddarth, P., Ercoli, L. M., & Senturk, D. (2015). Citalopram, methylphenidate, or their combination in geriatric depression: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. The American Journal of Psychiatry, 172(6), 561–569. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ajp.2014.14070889
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Verster, J. C., Bekker, E. M., Kooij, J. J., Buitelaar, J. K., Verbaten, M. N., Volkerts, E. R., & Olivier, B. (2010). Methylphenidate significantly improves declarative memory functioning of adults with ADHD. Psychopharmacology, 212(2), 277–281. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1007/s00213-010-1952-2
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Scharman, E. J., Erdman, A. R., Cobaugh, D. J., Olson, K. R., Woolf, A. D., Caravati, E. M., Chyka, P. A., Booze, L. L., Manoguerra, A. S., Nelson, L. S., Christianson, G., Troutman, W. G., & American Association of Poison Control Centers (2007). Methylphenidate poisoning: an evidence-based consensus guideline for out-of-hospital management. Clinical Toxicology (Philadelphia, Pa.), 45(7), 737–752. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1080/15563650701665175
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United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. Treatment of Stimulant Use Disorders: Current Practices and Promising Perspectives. Retrieved from https://www.unodc.org/documents/drug-prevention-and-treatment/Treatment_of_PSUD_for_website_24.05.19.pdf
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Rezaei, F., Emami, M., Zahed, S., Morabbi, M. J., Farahzadi, M., & Akhondzadeh, S. (2015). Sustained-release methylphenidate in methamphetamine dependence treatment: a double-blind and placebo-controlled trial. Daru : Journal of Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, 23(1), 2. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1186/s40199-015-0092-y
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Konstenius, M., Jayaram-Lindström, N., Guterstam, J., Beck, O., Philips, B., & Franck, J. (2014). Methylphenidate for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and drug relapse in criminal offenders with substance dependence: a 24-week randomized placebo-controlled trial. Addiction (Abingdon, England), 109(3), 440–449. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1111/add.12369
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