Ritalin is to be taken 3 to 5 minutes before a meal. If you wait longer than five minutes after the medication is taken to start the meal, the child may lose his or her appetite. Ritalin should be taken with water. Do not use fruit juices, soft drinks, or milk. Most juices and soft drinks are acidic and will also inactivate the medication.
Milk causes the medicine to stay in the stomach longer.
Learning, reading and focusing are not limited to being in school. If you miss a dose, however, there is no cause for alarm. The medicine is effective for only four hours and is not cumulative. Depending on the child, children will be re-evaluated every one to six months. Prescriptions will not be written for any child who has not been seen within six months.