Ritalin can help adults on a diet

Posted on Sep 5th 2007 4:32PM by Brian White

Ritalin, the prescription drug often associated with calming kids who apparently have ADHD, is now being suggested as a weight-loss aid for adults. Wha?

Researchers this week stated that a single dose of Ritalin appeared to lower the taste adults have for calories and fat. But, does that mean it should be even considered as a weight-loss aid? Hey, if a 'pill' can be suggested for effortless weight loss, there will always be customers. Always.

Yes, weight loss is known to be a potential side effect of Ritalin, but using the drug as a replacement for a healthy diet and exercise is ludicrous. However, that means we'll probably see it marketed as a weight loss, FDA-approved product pretty soon.

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Tags: ADD, ADHD Ritalin, AdhdRitalin, Ritalin

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)

Robert 2-23-2011 @ 11:55AM

I just started taking Ritalin 10mg, to help me with PTSD and a mild TBI and to help me focus. I read alot about Ritalin before taking the medication and its side effects. I do feel comfortable with the medication at this time - its helped me quite a bit. I also started working out at a local gym. Hopefully, I can loose some weight. My previous medications made me gain 60 lbs. It's all about responsibility, when it comes to medications. One of my goals is to loose all 60 lbs. and 9 months from now to begin withdrawing from Ritalin steadily in a responsible safe manner and begin taking a less addicting medication for another short period of time.

Yomomma 9-06-2007 @ 8:41PM

Well duh....... Ritalin is speed. Speed surpresses the appetite and also keeps you awake.

Nurse Jenna 9-06-2007 @ 8:18PM

These pharmaceutical companies are making every person in America take ONE drug or another - whether or not they need them! It's ridiculous! There is either a CVS or a Walgreens on nearly every corner in this country. From babies to seniors, we're all taking SOMETHING. The physician I work for gets HUGE kickbacks (like every OTHER doctor!) for writing prescriptions for drugs. Last year he went to France with his wife, first class accommodations, etc, for writing 'X; number of Rx for a certain drug. Another drug company sends his Wife roses (signed from the Doctor) for her birthday, their anniversary and on Mother's day for free as another perk. We don't need HALF of the things we're currently taking in this country. Trust me. I speak from experience! ~ Jenna RN

Deborah,R.N. 9-06-2007 @ 8:24PM

DUH!!! Ritalin is speed!!! It has a paradoxic effect on children. Habitual use of Ritalin in adults can cause the same effects as taking amphetamines. It is not reccemmended by any doctor as a weight loss aid. The only way someone can lose weight is by burning more calories than they take in,otherwise, DIET AND EXERCISE. When are people going to realize that?

Joy 9-06-2007 @ 8:43PM

Jenna,
I also work for in a doctor's office who take none of the kickbacks that you say your docs do. In this case, it's not the drug companies who are the problem, it's your docs who may have a problem with their ethics.

Are-Jay 9-06-2007 @ 8:46PM

Ok... so how do you get a prescription for it? I can't even get a friggin doctor to prescribe anything other than blood pressure medicine! It's ok to be addicted to bloodpressure medicine but not to take a chance of getting addicted to something that will cause you to lose weight to bring your bloodpressure down right? Screw the entire medical profession, when they have to start being paid the way the rest of America does then talk to me. When they have to pay $8,000 a year for car insurance and when they take their car in for cosmetic work, we tell them they owe us a $20 co-pay and they don't need it we just changed their differential lube cause it is better for the longevity of the vehicle and their insurance is paying the other $300 for the visit then we'll be even! Till then P!ss 0ff ya wankers!

amykeeney 9-06-2007 @ 9:25PM

Wow..are jay you pay $8,000 are year for car insurance...(wonder if someone as road rage issues, lol) .As angry as you seem I think you need Prozac maybe some xanax to take the edge off.

Cant imagine why you need blood pressure medicine! And you dont get addictited to BP meds

Ritalin user 9-06-2007 @ 9:42PM

I am an adult who does take ADD meds for ADD. While yes, it is true that it does curb ones appetite and also can have the side effect of keeping one awake, I would NEVER take this for weight loss. It is a highly addictive drug, as it is an amphetamine. It helps me to focus and be able to complete tasks I was unable to otherwise finish. I am far better organized and productive in my daily life, however I am here to tell you.....I am still overweight and at times have difficulty falling asleep if I take my meds too late in the morning. These are side effects I live with each day but if it were only for weight loss I would NEVER consider taking this drug. Like everyone else I need to exercise to lose this weight. Don't think of this as the miracle drug, because it isn't.
An Adult afflicted with ADD

Amy 9-06-2007 @ 9:44PM

While I will agree with Jenna that the pharmaceutical companies push thier particular drug very hard (as does any other company that sells something). I will disagree about the "kickbacks" . There are VERY strict rules these companies and reps have to follow. They are only allowed to do lunches, dinners, or give the cheap little pens and pads. Maybe the Dr. you work for went to a medical convention in which the pharm companies were there. But the Government has set these regulations and they monitor it very closely.
Another Nurse, Amy

Mira 9-06-2007 @ 9:52PM

I love when they discover America all over again in 2007. This " side effect" was known in the medical community for at least 20 years. Now that they are done poisoning the kids, there is a market for adults?
Why don't they publish the statistics for how many people died of Dexatrim and the like.

Cindy 9-06-2007 @ 9:57PM

Kickbacks? The FDA has put the clamps down on all of that. I do not believe any pharmaceutical company can send a doctor to France for a vacation. Most of the reps I see barely bring pens and notepads in. Dinner lecture programs are strictly for the docs (no spouses). I would think the doctor in question has some serious underhanded practices or is fibbing to his staff so he doesn't get bombarded from them asking for raises he can clearly afford if he's traveling. Maybe this doctor's practice is a drug clinic with his own pharmacy. Cash only from all his drug-seeking patients. This makes more sense to me.

Eve 9-07-2007 @ 9:06PM

I am an adult with ADHD. I takes amphetamines prescribed by a phsychiatrist. The ability of these drugs to curb appetite reduces over time. So does any physical stimulation that accounts for the "rush" that drug abusers talk about. After I started taking the meds, I gained a lot of weight. After that I lost more than 50 pounds by diet and exercise. That's the only way to do it. Ritalin or amphetamines will not help over the long haul. If you want to lose weight, change you life style.

MIZZMOZE46 9-06-2007 @ 10:00PM

ahh well hats off to theFDA,im sure it will be approved,and all the people with pyschitric conditions,will be suicidal and thin!
un real!!
exercise,and when your brain says put food in mouth,tell brain,no to hand! eat healthy ,natural,un-processed foods only..common sense!
pill are only a temporary solution to a underlying long term problem!
not all,but most!
bp meds are non addictive bud! type a personality causes high blood pressure and eating too much crap!
so get some behavior modification,to change your thinking,and do the tell your brain thing! lie write down everything you put in your mouth everyday,it adds up quick,modify your eating habits!
screw ridlin!

marilyn 9-06-2007 @ 10:12PM

Shades of the roaring 60's ! This stuff was a big hit for the speed freaks of the day back then. When I first heard they were giving this dope to kids...for any reason, I couldn't believe it !! It was taken off the market, as were all amphetimines after they got us all hooked on those 'amazing' diet pills that would drop the weight off of you in no time. Ritalin, along with so many other 'gotcha' drugs were dispensed like candy by docs back then. We were just guinea pigs for the drug companies. Nothing changed !!

Nunya 9-06-2007 @ 10:11PM

Dude you spelled "does" wrong in the second paragraph

amthyst123 9-07-2007 @ 7:28AM

ADHD/ADD is a real, biological/neurological disorder that interferes significantly in brain function, particularly in the prefrontal cortex. Ritalin is an amphetamine-based medication that is used with both children and adults with ADHD. It DOES NOT HAVE A PARADOXICAL EFFECT

nicolette stepro 9-07-2007 @ 8:00PM

don't think the FDA will be approvng for that off label use soon. I mean, they cannot even approve phenergan, OTC the world over, simple effective anti-nausea, as OTC. Nooo, instead you have to shell out $40 copay, 2-3 days after you throwing up, by which time you've stopped, missed two days work, etc. etc. for the doc to say its probably something you ate, and finally give you a prescription for it.

dale ash 9-06-2007 @ 10:30PM

i second that duh.

Cara 9-06-2007 @ 10:31PM

15 mg of Phentermine once a day works for ADD - ADHD for me and it's a weight loss pill. Doesn't make me jittery like Ritalin did.
Plus no side effects, like insomnia. I can quit taking it and no withdrawls except back to the ADD problem. My doc stumbled on to it accidentally and said if it works it is less addictive than Ritalin.

Tam 9-06-2007 @ 10:38PM

This really irritates me for many reasons. First off, I have a son who is on the said med for ADHD. He hasn't lost weight but hasn't gained any either in nearly a year. As the mother of a growing boy this is a side affect that bothers me, IT IS NOT GOOD! I hate that he needs it at all, but he does. Second, for anyone to alter the intended use of this drug just to lose to weight is ludicrous! There are millions of diets out there that are DIETS, this is a med for ADHD! What ever happened to good old fashioned eating sensibly & excercising? WHat about Weight Watchers, Atkins, Jenny??? Lastly, this is nothing more than drug abuse. When you take a drug for some other reason than it is intended for then it is abuse, period. Sorry if I sound harsh but if you were the parent of a child who, unfortunately needs a med like this, and now there's people trying to lose friggin' weight with it, you'd be upset to. It is not a weight loss method! You will suffer by not getting the required nutrients needed for your health and to boot you will be starving in the AM and at night. My son wakes up starving and goes to bed complaining of hunger (of course I allow him a night snack b/c he NEEDS it). So, you gorge in the AM, go all day w/ no appetite, then gorge at night......some "diet"!
To end, a person who posted earlier and who suffers from ADD made a great point; that it is hard to fall asleep once the med has worn off. So, there you are, awake & hungry. A bad combo for people seeking this out as a diet drug. Please respect your body and find some healthier, more sensible way to lose weight and leave the Ritalin to those who actually need it.