Ritalin can come in a tablet or capsule form and is available in a variety of different colors and shapes.

Ritalin is the brand name for methylphenidate/methylphenidate hydrochloride, a central nervous system stimulant medication. It’s used to treat attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and narcolepsy in adults and adolescents.

This prescription drug activates the central nervous system (CNS) and increases the amount of dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain. This decreases impulsivity and increases focus, and produces effects very similar to Adderall.

Ritalin is also a schedule II controlled substance which means it has a high potential for abuse.

What Do Ritalin Tablets Look Like?

Ritalin is available in tablet form. While the dosage can differ, the tablets are likely the immediate-release formulation of the drug and come in different shapes and colors.

Round tablets of Ritalin are the most common and come in a variety of different colors and dosages. What the color of the tablet is depends on the manufacturer.

Green

Ritalin can come in a round green tablet. It has a dosage of 10 mg and printed on the pill is “K 101.”

There is also another round green 10 mg Ritalin tablet but it has “5883 DAN 10” imprinted on one side of the pill.

Round, green Ritalin tablets can also have “CIBA 3” imprinted on them. What’s printed on them depends on the manufacturer

Yellow

There are also several round yellow Ritalin tablets. The first is a 20 mg tablet that has “T 175” imprinted on it. The next is also a 20 mg round yellow tablet but it has “K 102” imprinted on one side.

There is also a 5 mg round yellow tablet but it has “MD 531” imprinted on it.

White

There are also quite a few round white Ritalin tablets. One is a 20 mg tablet that has “M 20” imprinted on it. There are also two additional 10 mg white round tablets, but one has “M 10” imprinted on it while the other has “T 174.”

Blue

Ritalin can also come as a round blue tablet. The dose is 10 mg and it has “MD 530” imprinted on one side.

Orange

Ritalin also comes in an orange tablet. It’s a 20 mg round pill and has “MD 532” imprinted on one side.

There is also a round orange tablet that is also 20 mg in dosage but has “S 20” on one side and “230” on the other.

Purple

Ritalin can also come in a round purple tablet that is 5 mg in dosage and has “5882” imprinted on one side and “DAN 5” on the other side.

Oval

There is also a Ritalin tablet that is oval in shape. It comes in a dose of 20 mg, is white, and has “3111 WPI” imprinted on it.

Red Capsule-Shaped Tablet

The red capsule-shaped tablets are an extended-release formulation and come in a 54 mg dose. The pill also has “M 54” imprinted on it.

White Capsule-Shaped Tablet

There is also a white capsule-shaped Ritalin tablet. It’s an extended-release formulation, is a 36 mg dose, and has “M 36” imprinted on it.

What Do Ritalin Capsules Look Like?

Beyond tablets, Ritalin can also come in capsules too. Most Ritalin in this type of pill is the extended-release formulation of the medication.

Light Brown

The 40 mg Ritalin capsule is light brown and imprinted with “NVR” on one section of the capsule and “R40” on the other section.

Yellow

Extended-release Ritalin capsules can also be yellow in color and contain a 30 mg dose. It also has “NVR” and “R30” imprinted on it.

White

Ritalin LA/extended-release capsules can also be white. The white capsules have a dose of 20 mg and are imprinted with “NVR” and “R20.

White & Light Brown

Ritalin also comes in an extended-release capsule that is white and light brown. The capsule has a dose of 10 mg. The outside of the pill is imprinted with “NVR” and “R10”

Side Effects Of Ritalin Use

Beyond knowing what Ritalin looks like, you should also be aware of the side effects it can bring on. If you have any side effects you’re worried about, make sure to talk to your healthcare provider.

Some of the most common side effects include:

• decreased appetite
• dry mouth
• nausea
• nervousness
• trouble sleeping
• drowsiness
• increased heart rate
• high blood pressure
• fever
• dizziness
• weight loss

If Ritalin abuse or another form of drug abuse affects your mental health, you don’t have to deal with it alone. For information on our outpatient treatment options, please contact us.