“Ritalin” and Chlorpromazine in Chronic Schizophrenia: a Controlled Clinical Trial

Ritalin (methylphenidate) is a drug which was developed by the firm of Ciba Limited. It resembles amphetamine in its central stimulant and sympathomimetic action but has quite a different chemical structure. Its general properties have been described by Meier et al. (1954) and by Drassdo and Schmidt (1954 a, b). Geller (1955) and Stier (1955) used Ritalin in the treatment of depressive states associated with apathy, while Ferguson (1955) found it of value in countering the depressive effects of reserpine therapy. Ferguson also notes that Ritalin seemed to have a beneficial action in cases of chronic schizophrenia and considered that his findings warranted a clinical trial.