Expert: Dr Billy Levin - 1/21/2010

Question
Hi Dr Levin

Thank you for answering my previous question. Can a person take Ritalin all his /her life if he so chooses. Have there been any studies on long term use like this? Thank you

Answer
It is not so much you choose but rather do you need to continue with Ritalin. If the doctor assesses there is a need the treatment may  be for a long term. The term indeffinite sounds better than life-long! There have been studies on long term use and as long as the indications are correct and treatment supervised there is no risk relatively speaking. Unfortunately in medicine there are always exceptions, luckly very rare with regard to long term  correct Ritalin use.