My son has just been diagnosed with ADHD, and the doctor put him on Ritalin. Are there any side effects I should know about? – Emilia Ritalin is just one of many medicines doctors use to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Ritalin (also known as methylphenidate) helps kids with ADHD concentrate and focus at school and at home. Ritalin is a stimulant, a type of medicine that increases alertness. As with other medicines, each child can respond to it differently. Many kids using Ritalin have few, if any, side effects. Others have side effects like stomachaches, insomnia, decreased appetite, growth problems, irritability, and blood pressure problems. Be sure to talk with your son's doctor if you need more information about ADHD, as well as its treatments and their possible side effects. Back to Articles Related Articles ADHD Factsheet (for Schools) What teachers should know about ADHD, and teaching strategies to help students with ADHD succeed in school. Read More Word! ADHD ADHD is short for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Read More ADHD ADHD is a common medical condition that can affect kids at school, at home, and in friendships. This article is for parents who want to learn more about ADHD and how to help kids get the best diagnosis and care. Read More ADHD ADHD is a medical condition that makes it harder for kids to stay focused. Kids with ADHD can also be more fidgety than other kids their age. This article for kids explains how doctors decide a kid has ADHD and what they can do about it. Read More ADHD ADHD is a medical condition that affects how well someone can sit still, focus, and pay attention. This article for teens has the basics on ADHD. Read More ADHD Medicines Medicine doesn’t cure ADHD. But it does help boost a person's ability to pay attention, slow down, and have more self-control. This article for teens has details on how ADHD medicines help. Read More Note: All information is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice, diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor. © 1995-2021 KidsHealth®. All rights reserved. Images provided by The Nemours Foundation, iStock, Getty Images, Veer, Shutterstock, and Clipart.com.