From the Guidelines
The main side effects of unspecified medication/treatment in an adolescent male are likely to include appetite loss, abdominal pain, headaches, and sleep disturbance 1.
Common Side Effects
- Appetite loss: a common side effect of stimulant medications, which can lead to weight loss and decreased growth velocity 1
- Abdominal pain: a common side effect of stimulant medications, which can be mild and self-limiting 1
- Headaches: a common side effect of stimulant medications, which can be mild and self-limiting 1
- Sleep disturbance: a common side effect of stimulant medications, which can lead to insomnia and daytime fatigue 1
Less Common Side Effects
- Hallucinations and other psychotic symptoms: an uncommon but significant adverse effect of stimulants, which can be serious and require immediate medical attention 1
- Increased heart rate and blood pressure: a potential side effect of stimulant medications, which can be mild and clinically insignificant in most cases, but may be more significant in a subset of individuals 1
- Tardive seizures: a rare but potentially serious side effect of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), which can be encountered in adolescents with a normal EEG before treatment and are not receiving seizure-lowering medications during treatment 1
- Prolonged seizures: a rare but potentially serious side effect of ECT, which can be effectively terminated with additional medication, but may be associated with greater postictal confusion and amnesia 1 It is essential to note that the specific side effects and their severity may vary depending on the medication or treatment used, as well as individual factors such as dosage, duration of treatment, and underlying medical conditions. Therefore, it is crucial to consult with a healthcare professional to determine the best course of treatment and to monitor for potential side effects 1.
From the FDA Drug Label
5.1 Abuse, Misuse, and Addiction 5.2 Risks to Patients with Serious Cardiac Disease 5.3 Increased Blood Pressure and Heart Rate 5.4 Psychiatric Adverse Reactions 5.5 Priapism 5.6 Peripheral Vasculopathy, Including Raynaud’s Phenomenon 5.7 Long-Term Suppression of Growth in Pediatric Patients 5.8 Acute Angle Closure Glaucoma 5.9 Increased Intraocular Pressure and Glaucoma 5.10 Motor and Verbal Tics, and Worsening of Tourette’s Syndrome 6 ADVERSE REACTIONS
The main side effects of methylphenidate in an adolescent male include:
- Abuse, misuse, and addiction
- Cardiac risks, such as increased blood pressure and heart rate
- Psychiatric adverse reactions
- Priapism
- Peripheral vasculopathy, including Raynaud’s phenomenon
- Long-term suppression of growth
- Acute angle closure glaucoma and increased intraocular pressure
- Motor and verbal tics, and worsening of Tourette’s syndrome 2