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You can start to stutter by taking methylphenidate
Do you have ADHD and are you taking medication for it? And do you notice that you stuttered all at once? Then it could be your medication. In the section ‘Side effect’ you can read everything about side effects of medicines. This time: stuttering.
Some medications may cause you to stutter. This is the case, for example, with certain drugs that act on the central nervous system, such as methylphenidate. Methylphenidate is also prescribed for ADHD (attention deficit disorder). The drug is known by different names. These are: Ritalin, Concerta, Equasym XL, Medikinet (CR), Kinectene and Methylphenidate itself.
How does methylphenidate work?
In ADHD, certain parts of the brain are slightly smaller than average. Some parts of the brain also work less well together. So-called messenger substances, such as dopamine, are needed for the brain, nerves and muscles to work together. In ADHD, this substance is less available in certain areas of the brain. As a result, you can, for example, concentrate less well. Methylphenidate increases dopamine in the brain. As a result, parts of the brain can work together better and it is better to hold your attention.
Stuttering due to methylphenidate
Side Effects Center Lareb received several reports of stuttering when taking methylphenidate. The worldwide adverse events database of the World Health Organization (WHO) also received reports about this. This stuttering usually became less when methylphenidate was used less or no longer.
If you are taking methylphenidate for ADHD and have started to stutter as a result, this may be due to the higher amount of dopamine in the brain. Stuttering is now also listed as a side effect in the package leaflet of methylphenidate. Fortunately, not everyone suffers from this.
Stuttering is common. In the Netherlands there are about 170,000 people who stutter. Fluency is impaired when stuttering. The pronunciation of sounds, syllables or words is then sometimes repeated, extended or blocked. If you stutter, you can’t control it.
Do you use methylphenidate and have you started to stutter less?
That is also possible. It is striking that methylphenidate can actually reduce stuttering in people without ADHD. The optimal amount of dopamine in the brain is different for every person and for every brain task. Changing the amount of dopamine, for example by methylphenidate, can therefore cause a different effect in everyone. This may be why methylphenidate causes stuttering in some people and reduces it in others.
Other causes of stuttering
In addition to methylphenidate, there are also other medicines where stuttering is mentioned in the package insert. For example, with certain medicines that are prescribed for psychosis, depression or epilepsy. In addition, stuttering is a well-known condition and does not have to be caused by the use of medication.
Do you recognize these or other complaints after using methylphenidate or another medication? Then discuss this with the doctor. Would you like to report a side effect yourself? You can do that via myupdate.nl
This article was produced in collaboration with Side Effects Center Lareb† This is the Dutch reporting and knowledge center for side effects of medicines, including vaccines, and the use of medicines during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Lareb identifies risks of the use of medicines in daily practice and generates and disseminates knowledge about this.