Ritalin - Types | ADHD Information

Ritalin- Lasts about 4 hrs, Ritalin LA lasts about 8-10 hrs, There is also Ritalin Sr but I don't have any experience with it.

Hi guys,

I'm considering going back to my psychiatrist and asking for Ritalin (which I have not been on since I was in gradeschool - i'm 25 now).  However, I see that there are a bunch of different types??  Can anyone post the different types and the explenation of what they are/the differences?  I want to know exactly what to ask for when I go to the doc. 

Ritalin is just a brand-name for methylphenidate HCl. There are a ton of different forms of methylphenidate which include ritalin, ritalin la, ritalin sr, concerta, metadate er, metadate cd, methylin, methylin er, generic methylphenidate, etc.

There are also various other forms of medications that are being used to help treat AD/HD. Other stimulants include dexamphetamines (ex: dexedrine) and amphetamine/dexamphetamine mixed salts (ex: adderall & adderall xr).

Strattera is a non-stimulant drug that is also used to help alleviate some AD/HD symptoms. Various antidepressants, antihypertensive medications, and anti-anxiety medications are also used to treat comorbid conditions....and occasionally antipsychotic drugs are used too (ex: risperdal).

I, personally, wouldn't assume anything. It's been a number of years since you were on the medication, so it's possible you'll notice different effects...but that's not the main reason of why I wouldn't assume the various meds would work....Even though all of them are methylphenidate, they still work differently and may cause different side effects, etc. I have taken a variety of different meds and can say that the various forms of methylphenidate all affected me differently. I wish you the best of luck finding something that works! I'm sure that your Dr. will be able to help with a lot of it!wangta01, I take ConcertaER, long-lasting 6 - 12 hrs. I started at 18 mg, then to 36, then 54, now 72mg (highest rx'd I believe). It's a much milder stimulant than even Ritilan (go figure since they're the same drug). What I suggest is telling your doctor what Ritilan you took that worked in grade school, and see what he recommends for you now, and hopefully he's up-to-date on ADHD.

Johnnyboi, could you perhaps explain something to me on the chart you posted. When it mentions 1st release (dose amt) and 2nd release (dose amt) for Concerta, I'm a little confused. Does it mean the amount released during the day, lets say for 54mg taken once in AM...that it first releases 12 mg and then later releases 42 mg ? I know Concerta is taken only once a day (convenient!), but is this saying it releases those amounts while in your system...but not all at once?
Thanks.

Ah, I found my answer... The time released Concerta tablet has an outer coat of medication that dissolves quickly and then two small compartments of medication inside that release gradually.

Concerta, like Adderall, provide longer, more even action than Ritalin. GypsyWomyn38440.7541203704

Thanks for the info guys - so can i assume that if Ritalin (4 hour) worked for me, that Ritalin LA would also?  And expanding on that, that Concerta would work as well?

 

Long-acting Methylphenidate Medications

Products Concerta® Metadate® CD Ritalin® LA FormulationTechnology OROS® Diffucaps® SODAS™ Dose Available 18/27/36/54 mg 20 mg 20/30/40 mg Immediate (%) 22% 30% 50% 1st release (dose amt) 4/6/8/12 mg 6 mg 10/15/20 mg Sustained (%) 78% 70% 50% 2nd release (dose amt) 14/21/28/42 mg 14 mg 10/15/20 mg