apfcbAPFCB eNewscoAPFCB News Volume 5, Issue 1MultidisciplinaryEnglishJan-Jun, 2026NNY20260331ArticlesMethylphenidate (Ritalin)-Induced Proteinuria: A Case Report of a Teenager with Reversible Renal Side EffectsEnglishY98101Dr. GitaSharifiEnglishNhttps://doi.org/10.62772/APFCB-News.2026.5104This case report presents a school-aged student who developed transient proteinuria after short-term use of methylphenidate (Ritalin) for enhancing concentration during examination periods. Methylphenidate (Ritalin) is commonly used for managing Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). This case report highlights a rare adverse effect—proteinuria—in a young female who intermittently used Ritalin during academic exam periods. While initial short-term use in elementary school which was prescribed by a child psychiatrist due to suspected attention deficit showed no clinical symptoms or abnormal laboratory findings, repeated use in high school was associated with mild to significant proteinuria, which resolved after discontinuation. This case suggests a possible reversible nephrotoxic effect of Ritalin, warranting further investigation and cautious monitoring. [2,3]EnglishMethylphenidate (Ritalin, side effects, Transient Proteinuria, Nephrotoxic Drug Side Effects, Drug-induced Proteinuriahttps://www.apfcb.org/APFCB_News/abstract?id=48References1619References:1. Glassock RJ, Cohen AH, Adler SG. Primary glomerular diseases. In: Taal MW, Chertow GM, Marsden PA, Skorecki K, Yu ASL, Brenner BM, editors. Brenner and Rectorand;#39;s The Kidney. 10th ed. Philadelphia: Elsevier; 2016. p. 1100-1250. 2. Kollins SH. Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profile of methylphenidate in humans. Pharmacol Biochem Behav. 2003;76(2):341-347. doi:10.1016/S0091-3057(03)00213-6 3. Shafa Sh, Khosravi M, Ghaffari S. Study of the safety of methylphenidate: Focus on nephrotoxicity aspects. Life Sci. 2015;141:137-142. doi:10.1016/j.lfs.2015.09.014 4. Perazella MA. Drug-induced nephropathy: an update. Expert Opin Drug Saf. 2005;4(4):689- 706. doi:10.1517/14740338.4.4.689 5. Izzedine H, Perazella MA. Anticancer drug-induced acute kidney injury. Kidney Int Rep. 2017;2(4):504-514. doi:10.1016/j.ekir.2017.02.009 6. Perazella MA. Pharmacology behind common drug nephrotoxicities. Clin J Am Soc Nephrol. 2018;13(12):1897-1908. doi:10.2215/CJN.00150118 7. Stevens PE, Levin A. Evaluation and management of chronic kidney disease: KDIGO 2012 Clinical Practice Guideline. Kidney Int Suppl. 2013;3(1):1-150. doi:10.1038/kisup.2012.73 8. Perazella MA, Rosner MH. Drug-induced proteinuria: mechanisms and clinical relevance. Nat Rev Nephrol. 2014;10(9):517-530. doi:10.1038/nrneph.2014.113 9. Upadhyay A, Earley A, Haynes SM, Uhlig K. Systematic review: blood pressure target in chronic kidney disease and proteinuria as an effect modifier. Ann Intern Med. 2011;154(8):541-548. doi:10.7326/0003-4819-154-8-201104190-00335 10. Davison AM, Cameron JS, Grand;uuml;nfeld JP, Kerr DN, Ritz E, Winearls CG, editors. Oxford Textbook of Clinical Nephrology. 4th ed. Oxford: Oxford University Press; 2016.