Methylphenidate is a stimulating drug of the group of the indirect sympathomimetics. Methylphenidate-hydrochloride is the main ingredient in Ritalin®.
Methyphenidate was synthethised in 1944 by the Swiss Leandro Panizzon. Leandro Panizzon was an employee at Ciba (today Novartis) and tested the effects in self-trials with his wife. The name Ritalin comes from "Rita" a nickname of his wife.Trade names:
Indications:
Methylphenidate is used in children 6 years and older for the treatment of ADHS becuase it improves alertness. A new indication is the treatment of narcolepsy.(Picture: Alcibiades)