Ritalin

Question: ritalin??? anyone want to give me the basics on ritalin? side effects how long the ritalin effects you how long it takes to start working any concerns that you should have if you start taking it dependency risks addiction just basic facts...clue me in?

Answer: side effects - loss of apetite, dry mouth how long the ritalin effects you - regular Ritalin - 4 hours how long it takes to start working - 20 minutes any concerns that you should have if you start taking it - not when presribed by a doctor that knows your medical history and has done a check-up. At the prescribed levels to someone with ADHD brain biochemistry, it is safe. dependency risks - not at the prescribed levels for ADHD people addiction - people who do not have the biochemistry of an ADHD brain have a much higher chance of getting a chemical addiction. You are clued in! Go forth and be smarter!

Question: Ritalin???? with Ritalin is there any side effect of hallucination and or a feeling of high becuase I need it for my ADD and i have a prescription for it just i don't know if i should take it. this forum is NOT to tell me if Ritalin is bad or if I should take it. It is a question of whether there any side effect of hallucination and or a feeling of high in Ritalin.

Answer: It sounds like you know most of it already, but to answer your question: "What are its short-term effects? Ritalin (methylphenidate) is a central nervous system stimulant, similar to amphetamines in the nature and duration of its effects. It is believed that it works by activating the brain stem arousal system and cortex. Pharmacologically, it works on the neurotransmitter dopamine, and in that respect resembles the stimulant characteristics of cocaine. Short-term effects can include nervousness and insomnia, loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting, dizziness, palpitations, headaches, changes in heart rate and blood pressure (usually elevation of both, but occasionally depression), skin rashes and itching, abdominal pain, weight loss, and digestive problems, toxic psychosis, psychotic episodes, drug dependence syndrome, and severe depression upon withdrawal. What are its long-term effects? High doses of stimulants produce a predictable set of symptoms that include loss of appetite (may cause serious malnutrition), tremors and muscle twitching, fevers, convulsions, and headaches (may be severe), irregular heartbeat and respirations (may be profound and life threatening), anxiety, restlessness, paranoia, hallucinations, and delusions, excessive repetition of movements and meaningless tasks, and formicaton (sensation of bugs or worms crawling under the skin)." ....So, yes, it can cause hallucinations. As a side note, there has been research that shows that Fish Oil helps with brain health issues like ADD. Good luck!

Question: What are the differences in dosage between Ritalin and Adderall? I currently take Ritalin for ADD. I take 20mg 3x a day. I want to switch to Adderall because I don't much like the roller coaster like ups and downs of ritalin. I have taken both before and I preferred adderall because it is a lot smoother, however, I don't remember the dosages I used to have and what worked. So, should I take the same dosage in adderall as I do with the ritalin even though it is a completely different type of drug? Please let me know your experience with the medications. Thanks. PS, I don't want to hear from any of you holier than thou posters who want to scream "RITALIN IS BAD!". Post your opinions somewhere else, k thanks. :) thanks Omar.. I'm not in college at the moment. Because of my ADD, I think I'm a 10 time dropout. I stay away from the recreational drugs, as they are frowned upon in the AA groups I'm in. I have ADD from a trip through a car windshield <ouch> and I have to take it just to function normally.. Work and stuff. Remember to put on my undies before my pants, and whatnot... :| Ritalin causes major ups and downs. And i really don't like feeling like I'm "high". I do want to go back to nursing school in the spring so thats why I'm trying to get this all hammered out now...

Answer: adderall is far better

Question: How Ritalin a stimulant does work in Hyperactive children? ADH D children are given Ritalin like stimulants but it acts differently. What is the neuronal mechanism involved?

Answer: by inhibition of Dopamine reuptake .Dopamine is found in: 1)The prefrontal cortex, which is the part of the frontal lobe which lies in front of the motor area, is also closely linked to the limbic system. Besides apparently being involved in thinking about the future, making plans, and taking action, it also appears to be involved in the same dopamine pathways as the ventral tegmental area, and plays a part in pleasure and addiction. 2)The ventral tegmental area of the brain stem (just below the thalamus) consists of dopamine pathways that seem to be responsible for pleasure. People with damage here tend to have difficulty getting pleasure in life, and often turn to alcohol, drugs, sweets, and gambling.

Question: How long does it take for Ritalin to effect focus? I just got a prescription to Ritalin (10mg x3 daily). So far (its day 2) all it has done for me is give me energy, and not focus. As is im already a high energy kid. How long should i wait to see effects? Or how long should i wait to talk to me doctor about upping the dosage or switching (ive heard better things about Adderal? Thank you!

Answer: I don't think it's for you. I took some ritalin when I was in my early 20's. I don't recommend taking medication not prescribed for you, but I did. Everyone else that took it felt all speeded up besides me, and the guy it was prescribed too. I asked him why I just felt calm, he said maybe it was for me. Perhaps you were wrongly diagnosed.

Question: What are considered equivalent amounts of Ritalin and Concerta? If someone is on 40mg of Ritalin per day (taken throughout the day), what dose of Concerta (a sustained-release version of Ritalin) would best approximate its effects?

Answer: Both are trade names of Methylphenidate Hydrochloride. Concerta XL which is the real brand name is a slow release preparation of the above drug. Ritalin 10 mg taken twice a day is equivalent 18 mg of Concerta taken once a day

Question: How do I get my doctor to prescribe ritalin? What do I need to say to my doctor to get him to prescribe ritalin for me?

Answer: I just asked. I told him I was having trouble concentrating. He said he wasn't sure I needed stimulants, so he wanted to try Strattera first, but he said it was a reasonable request and didn't require any testing. He gets requests all the time. Don't ask for a specific drug - just tell him you're having trouble at school/work/home, etc concentrating, paying attention, focusing, getting things done, following through, sitting still, whatever your problem may be. It will be a no-brainer, and you'll walk out with a script in your hand. He may require follow up with a psychiatrist (every 30 days . . . it's a pain) for a stimulant because it's a controlled drug, but for Strattera I just had a year supply called in to my pharmacy. One visit - SO simple. Yeah!

Question: How much does Ritalin or Adderal cost on the streets? No, I am not abusing prescription medicine. I has a prescription for Ritalin and I am just curious as to how much people buy it for on th streets. And no I am not selling it.

Answer: about 5 years in prison

Question: What are the risks of drinking alcohol while taking Ritalin? I just started taking Ritalin, not for recreational use but small amounts for my mild ADD. I like to drink, not a lot but small amounts here and there, what will happen if I drink when I am on this medication. I am taking instant release Ritalin, not extended release, I don't know if this makes any difference. Would it matter if I drank on a day I didn't take the Ritalin or if it was not in my system? What will happen if the two are mixed?

Answer: If you take your Ritalin and drink, you will get extremely dehydrated. Not to mention when you're on Ritalin you'll feel as if you can drink large amounts of alcohol without feeling buzzed. As a result, you will feel like major crap the entire next day. You will probably get dizzy, nauseous, and hot/cold flashes. It will suck. If you don't take Ritalin, you will probably feel ok, as long as you don't drink excessively.

Question: Is it safe to take diet pills if you take the stimulant Ritalin and anti-depressants? I've been on Ritalin for over 5 years, for Narcoelpsy. I need some help to lose weight, and was thinking about looking into diet pills. I know Ritalin is already a stimulant, but it really doesn't cut back my appetite. Does anyone know if it's safe to take diet pills if you're on prescription stimulant and anti-depressant?

Answer: You should check with your doctor before taking any pills, but diet pills are a waste of money, don't work, and some are actually bad for you with nasty side effects. No pill, potion or supplement will help. Please don't fall for all the spam adverts you see. All you need is a good healthy diet - lots of fruit and veg, and exercise. It takes time and motivation:)

Question: How best to take ritalin to sustain maximum studying? Im trying to cram like crazy with 2-3 full days. Im 6ft3 90 kg, and i've been takign 20mg of ritalin noticing it takes about 1-1.5 hrs to kick in and it lasts about 3.5 hours(but it kind of feels just like caffeine). How best should i take it if i want to sustain long periods of studying (not just 4 hours)? Should i just take 20mg every 3 hours?

Answer: talk to your doctor who prescribed the medication. Ritalin is meant for controlling specific disorders and taking too much can kill you. anyone who says otherwise is just playing you.

Question: How long until a Ritalin tolerance is developed? I've been taking ritalin for about a week. I take 10 mg and this week raised it to 15. Sometimes I feel really ancy on it and sometimes I can't feel it at all? What's going on?

Answer: About a month

Question: Is it normal for Ritalin to cause intense mood swings from feelings of happiness to depression? I'm a freshman in college and recently got prescribed to 20mg of ritalin by my doctor to help with my problems studying in school. It's helping a lot and increased my GPA a few point, I feel totally motivated to do anything and even really happy. However, a few hours after feeling extremely happy and motivated, I have feelings of intense depression and stress. Why am I feeling like this?

Answer: Ritalin is what you would call a weak type of 'speed' and it's normal to feel some depression when it is wearing off. Today doctors usually use a better drug called Adderall that doesn't cause those feelings. Talk to him. Good luck.

Question: What are some alternatives to Ritalin and other medications, when treating ADHD in a child? What are some alternatives to Ritalin and other medications, when treating ADHD in a child?

Answer: Hi January Prom Queen, Good question. Many people do not even consider alternatives. There are many claims of alternatives, but most of them don't have research to back them up. 1. EEG biofeedback. This is a treatment which has some research but it has been plagued by poor research design and small sample sizes. Yet, I did this approach for 2.5 years or so and it was effective with many of my clients. The major challenges are it can be lengthy, expensive and there is a lack of standardization which is frustrating. It is also not easy to find people in many areas who do EEG biofeedback. See a blog post of mine from 2007 on that topic in my first source link. 2. Pay attention to your diet. Like EEG biofeedback this area is struggling with a lack of robust and large research, same problems small sample sizes and poor research design. However, "don't eat your fruits and vegetables you'll get ADHD" It was a blog post about how pesticides recently in a large well-designed study found that pesticides were related to ADHD in typical American children. So, that is worth reading. With more mild cases of ADHd removing foods based upon what is suggested in that article (e.g. eat local or organic fruits and vegetables). Yet, it is unclear how much that will help you pay attention once you have ADHD. 3. Cogmed Working Memory TrainingTM. I do this program with clients anywhere in the U. S. My son's results have been amazing. However, I am a clinical psychologist so I was originally swayed by the very good research. Yet, my son is a freshman in high school and he is getting the best grades of his life after doing this program. Read more in my 3rd source below. So, when looking for alternatives to ADHD medicines be sure to look for research. In my experience of over 7 years of looking for answers for my own son Cogmed Working Memory Training was the best answer I found for my son. He doesn't take any medications. Dr. Chaz So, looking for

Question: What is the highest adult Ritalin dosage? What is the highest adult dosage that is prescribed for an average adult? This question also covers drugs like Concerta, Metadate, Focalin, Daytrana, or any other Ritalin forms. How long were you on it before upping the dosage? 20mg? I thought it was much higher than that.

Answer: I have a very high metabolize and my system burns through ritalin rather quickly. At one point, I was taking 10 mg's 8 times per day. That is a very high dosage but I could handle it.(I was taking 10 mg's every 2 hours) I tried taking a 20 mg pill but that made me feel to wired. I started at 10 mg's 3 time per day and tried taking it at diffrent times to get maxium benefit. Went from taking 10 mg's 3 times per day to taking 10 mg's 5 times per day then onto 10mg's 8 times per day. Most physician wouldn't be very comfortable prescribing such a high dose but my doctor was very good and worked closely with me.

Question: How do you eliminate the crash when coming down from Adderall/Ritalin? Every time I take Adderall or Ritalin, I get so angry and depressed when I start to crash and it's really a problem for me. Anyone know any ways to eliminate this? Or any tips to make it seem less noticeable? Thanks!

Answer: Get off the drugs and get an erection! YeaH!!

Question: How long does it take fore Ritalin to kick in? I just got a prescription to Ritalin (10mg x3 daily). So far (its day 5) and all it has done for me is give me energy. And not the type of lets go dance, run a mile, jittery energy ...more like calm, im just awake energy. How long should i wait to see effects on my focus? Or how long should i wait to talk to me doctor about upping the dosage or switching (ive heard better things about Adderal?) Thank you!

Answer: You will need to give it a bit longer, although most people have some response same day. The description of feeling calm is a good sign, people with ADHD often feel less anxious, people without rarely have a calming experience. Your doctor may need to increase the dose (I would try that before Adderall). Adderall is typically a better drug but many people respond better to Ritalin and your doctor might feel that Ritalin is a better fit for you and that is why he started you there.

Question: What would i have to do to get another prescription of Ritalin? i have/had add and i took ritalin. i stopped taking it a few years ago but now i would like to take it again. What will the process i need to go through to get these meds back be?

Answer: Go see your doctor and tell him/her of your concerns.

Question: How many days on Ritalin before switching to another med? What is the minimum length of trial for Ritalin (using regular doses and upping the doses as needed) to find out if it is effective enough to treat one's ADD symptoms? In other words, what is the least amount of days I would need to take Ritalin (assuming it was in-effective for me or not effective enough) for my Doc to be justified in moving me on to another med?

Answer: Well, this may be a matter of personal preference. I'm a psychiatrist on an inpatient ward and I typically do not go more than a day or two, assuming it was started at an adequate dose given age and weight, before I will switch if there is no response. The beauty of stimulants is that if they are going to work, they tend to work right away, unlike other medications like antidepressants. Of course, they have their own set of drawbacks such as side effects and the fact that they are a controlled substance and being on a controlled substance can be a real pain in the butt. Now keep in mind, I am on the inpatient ward so I have the luxury of nurses that have an eye on the patient 24/7 and I personally see the patients every day. When I did outpatient psychiatry I typically would not wait more than two weeks and I usually used the longer acting Ritalin (Concerta). Doesn't mean what your doc is doing is wrong, thats just my preference. Many people find that they do not realize the complete benefit of stimulants until they have been on them for a while but you should have SOME response fairly quickly if they are going to work for you.

Question: Where can I buy Ritalin online without a prescription? I used to be on Ritalin, and now I need to go on it again, but I cannot afford another trip to the doctor for another prescription. Where can I buy Ritalin online without a prescription? And how can I know it is a credible source? Don't tell me you can't get it online or that it is not legal.. tell me where to actually get it please.

Answer: if you buy it online, without a prescription, chances are that it is not real Ritalin and it may be dangerous if you take it.