L0058213 Empty bottle for Ritalin tablets, England, 1954-1970
Credit: Science Museum, London. Wellcome Images
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Ritalin is a brand name for a synthetic drug first manufactured in 1954 by Ciba. It was advertised as a stimulant for the central nervous system to treat clinical depression and narcolepsy. The drug is in tablet form. From the 1970s, Ritalin was also used to treat hyperactive children, a condition we now describe as Attention Deficient Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). It is only available on prescription. Side effects include insomnia and nervousness. Medication is just one way to help a child with ADHD and other treatments include cognitive behaviour therapy. In the 1800s hyperactive or disruptive children (as they would have been seen) were medicated with opium.
maker: CIBA Laboratories Limited
Place made: Horsham, West Sussex, England, United Kingdom
made: 1954-1970 Published: –
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