How Long Does Ritalin Stay in Your System

How Long Does Ritalin Stay in Your System Addiction Drug Use Prescription Medications Print How Long Does Ritalin Stay in Your System? By Buddy T facebook twitter Buddy T is an anonymous writer and founding member of the Online Al-Anon Outreach Committee with decades of experience writing about alcoholism. Learn about our editorial policy Buddy T Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD on December 15, 2015 Steven Gans, MD is board-certified in psychiatry and is an active supervisor, teacher, and mentor at Massachusetts General Hospital. Learn about our Medical Review Board Steven Gans, MD Updated on September 19, 2019 ADHD Overview Symptoms Causes Diagnosis Treatment Living With In Children Tetra Images / Getty Images Ritalin (methylphenidate) is a medication thats most often used as part of a treatment plan for attention-deficit/hyperactivity  disorder (ADHD). It works by stimulating your central nervous system, keeping the neurotransmitters dopamine and norepinephrine in your brain longer. Ritalin is also  sometimes used to treat narcolepsy, a sleep disorder that causes excessive daytime sleepiness and sudden bouts of sleep. Signs of Ritalin Overdose If you take Ritalin for any reason, knowing how long the medication can stay active in your body may be helpful in preventing an accidental overdose of the stimulant, which can have serious consequences. An overdose of Ritalin can cause a host of unpleasant problems, including: VomitingAgitation, shaking,  seizuresLoss of consciousnessConfusion, hallucinationsSweating, flushingHeadachesFeverDilated pupilsMuscle twitchingFast, pounding, or  irregular heartbeatDry mouth  or nose Any of these symptoms are a sign to get medical help by calling 911 or heading to the nearest hospital emergency room. Ritalin Abuse Ritalin is a medication that teenagers and young adults sometimes use in order to get high. If they dont have a prescription, they may ask other people for Ritalin pills, crush or snort it, or even steal or lie in order to get the drug. Parents who are worried their child is abusing Ritalin may want to look out for these signs of abuse: Decreased appetiteIrritabilityMemory problemsAnxietyRapid heart rateDehydrationSuspiciousness or paranoiaDepressionFatigueActing secretive or isolating him or herselfHyperactivityDilated pupilsMood swingsAggressiveness Whats more, Ritalin can be habit-forming.  After a period of time, anyone taking Ritalin can develop a tolerance for the drug, making it less effective than when you first started taking it. As a result, you may be tempted to take larger dosages to achieve the same effect that you once got, but doing that can increase the risk of becoming addicted. Drug Tests for Ritalin There are many variables that can play a role in how long Ritalin, or any drug, for that matter, continue to be active in the body after its taken. An obvious one is that everyones body is different. The rate at which medications and other substances are used up in the body depends on things like your personal rate of metabolism, age, weight, and percentage of body fat. How physically active you are, how often you take the substance, or even how hydrated you are, can also impact how long it takes medication to clear. Some health conditions can play a role in the rate at which drugs are metabolized by the body. The type of drug test used to detect Ritalin is also a consideration. Here are an estimated range of times, or detection windows, during which Ritalin can be detected by various methods: Urine Test: One to two daysBlood Test: Around 12 hoursSaliva Test: One to two daysHair Follicle Test: Up to 90 days