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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 9 of 9. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by 3 Beer Effect on April 23, 2002, at 23:58:43
The best ADD medicine I have ever taken was 20 mg Ritalin 2x per day. Unfortunately, Ritalin only lasts about 3.5 hours so I have been looking for a longer lasting alternative (i've already tried 200 mg Provigil- much less effective & major "poop out effect").
How does the 56 mg Concerta compare in efficacy to Ritalin 20 mg bid? How long does it last-i've heard differing reports of 12, 11, & 8 hours?
Currently I am taking 10 mg of Dextrostat (dextroamphetamine) 2x per day. Dextrostat feels much like Ritalin & lasts slighty longer (4 hours) although it takes an hour to start working, but makes you more sociable (almost like a social disinhibitor) while Ritalin makes me inhibited & shy. Adderall seemed to cause me more nervousness, distractability, & less 'focus' but is also good for sociability.
Dextrostat is Dexedrine (dextroamphetamine) and although cheaper, is technically a 'brand-name' & is made by Shire pharmaceuticals, the makers of Adderall. Both Dextrostat & the even cheaper generic dextroamphetamine are the only way to get 10 mg tablets (Dexedrine only comes in 5 mg tablets). So as you raise the dose, Dexedrine becomes a real pain, 40 mg/day would equal 8 tablets/day.
But, I haven't tried both Dexedrine and Dextrostat at the same dosages- anyone noticed much of a difference between the two?Anyways, in all the psychopharmacology books, 10 mg of Dexedrine is supposed to equal 20 mg of Ritalin, but personally I haven't found this to be true. It seems more like 20 mg of Dextrostat= 20 mg of Ritalin.
Is Dextrostat weaker than Dexedrine even though it has the exact same ingredient, or are the books just wrong on the 10mg Dexedrine=20mg Ritalin matter? Any similar experiences, or experiences to the contrary?
(Complicating the situation is that I also take Lamictal 150 mg per day which I think may be blunting the Dextrostat- I read Lamictal lowers the activity of tyrosine hydroxylase, the enzyme that converts l-tyrosine eventually to dopamine. But no one really knows how Lamictal works, so I could be incorrect on that. Other mood stablizers like Lithium blunt amphetamines but not Ritalin or Cocaine.)
I guess i'll ask the psychiatrist tommorrow to raise the dose to Dextrostat 20 mg 2x per day or switch to Concerta 56 mg qd.
Posted by 3 Beer Effect on April 24, 2002, at 0:01:25
In reply to Concerta vs. Ritalin also Dextrostat, posted by 3 Beer Effect on April 23, 2002, at 23:58:43
Posted by fachad on April 24, 2002, at 19:20:06
In reply to Concerta vs. Ritalin also Dextrostat, posted by 3 Beer Effect on April 23, 2002, at 23:58:43
I think Concerta lasts about 8 hrs, but it comes on and wears off so subtly that it's hard to say for sure.
For me 36mg Concerta was about equal to 10mg methylphenidate 3 X day.
As far as the MPH vs. DEX vs. ADDERALL conversion, for me it is about 20mg MPH = 15 mg Adderall = 10 mg Dex, but YMMV.
> The best ADD medicine I have ever taken was 20 mg Ritalin 2x per day. Unfortunately, Ritalin only lasts about 3.5 hours so I have been looking for a longer lasting alternative (i've already tried 200 mg Provigil- much less effective & major "poop out effect").
>
> How does the 56 mg Concerta compare in efficacy to Ritalin 20 mg bid? How long does it last-i've heard differing reports of 12, 11, & 8 hours?
>
> Currently I am taking 10 mg of Dextrostat (dextroamphetamine) 2x per day. Dextrostat feels much like Ritalin & lasts slighty longer (4 hours) although it takes an hour to start working, but makes you more sociable (almost like a social disinhibitor) while Ritalin makes me inhibited & shy. Adderall seemed to cause me more nervousness, distractability, & less 'focus' but is also good for sociability.
> Dextrostat is Dexedrine (dextroamphetamine) and although cheaper, is technically a 'brand-name' & is made by Shire pharmaceuticals, the makers of Adderall. Both Dextrostat & the even cheaper generic dextroamphetamine are the only way to get 10 mg tablets (Dexedrine only comes in 5 mg tablets). So as you raise the dose, Dexedrine becomes a real pain, 40 mg/day would equal 8 tablets/day.
> But, I haven't tried both Dexedrine and Dextrostat at the same dosages- anyone noticed much of a difference between the two?
>
> Anyways, in all the psychopharmacology books, 10 mg of Dexedrine is supposed to equal 20 mg of Ritalin, but personally I haven't found this to be true. It seems more like 20 mg of Dextrostat= 20 mg of Ritalin.
>
> Is Dextrostat weaker than Dexedrine even though it has the exact same ingredient, or are the books just wrong on the 10mg Dexedrine=20mg Ritalin matter? Any similar experiences, or experiences to the contrary?
>
> (Complicating the situation is that I also take Lamictal 150 mg per day which I think may be blunting the Dextrostat- I read Lamictal lowers the activity of tyrosine hydroxylase, the enzyme that converts l-tyrosine eventually to dopamine. But no one really knows how Lamictal works, so I could be incorrect on that. Other mood stablizers like Lithium blunt amphetamines but not Ritalin or Cocaine.)
>
> I guess i'll ask the psychiatrist tommorrow to raise the dose to Dextrostat 20 mg 2x per day or switch to Concerta 56 mg qd.
Posted by katekite on April 24, 2002, at 20:44:00
In reply to Concerta vs. Ritalin also Dextrostat, posted by 3 Beer Effect on April 23, 2002, at 23:58:43
I just switched from regular ritalin to dexedrine spansules (slow release dex) today after a very successful ritalin trial the last couple weeks (going to try them all first and find the best for me) and so far the mgs I need are at least equal. That is, I am not finding so far that dexedrine is twice as potent as ritalin like they say. Same as your experience. However, I am on generic dex vs. namebrand Ritalin, so maybe my particular ritalin was somewhat more potent?
At least so far on the same number of mgs of dexedrine I am still overly distractable and irritated by routine noises etc, which I find quite frustrating.
Of course take this with a grain of salt as this was my first dexedrine day. I guess I thought it would feel more like the first ritalin day (seeing the world in a whole new focussed light). Maybe one only gets that feeling once with stimulants in general. Well anyhow, I'll amend this in a few days if I find dexedrine becomes more potent.
One thing I felt on ritalin was a slight detachment from everything, which for me is probably good, LOL. But perhaps this is similar to the feeling that you are less sociable?
kate
Posted by Bekka H. on April 24, 2002, at 21:07:03
In reply to Concerta vs. Ritalin also Dextrostat, posted by 3 Beer Effect on April 23, 2002, at 23:58:43
Hi 3 Beers!
It's good to have you back. I found Concerta to be the best of the methylphenidate formulations. It is the smoothest, most sustained and consistent. I found that it lasts about 10+ hours. It probably lasts more than that, but at around 10+ hours, I start to feel different -- a little bit uncomfortable and "reboundy," but nothing bad like the ritalin immediate release rebound!
Concerta is quite expensive, so you may have to get your doctor to argue with the insurance company to pay for it.
Posted by Bekka H. on April 24, 2002, at 21:27:55
In reply to Re: Concerta vs. Ritalin also Dextrostat, posted by katekite on April 24, 2002, at 20:44:00
One thing I felt on ritalin was a slight detachment from everything, which for me is probably good, LOL. But perhaps this is similar to the feeling that you are less sociable?
>
> kate
************************************************Hi Kate,
It's interesting that you should mention that detachment on Ritalin. I found that, too, and I think it might be good for me because sometimes I get too emotional about whatever it is I'm engaged in. I felt more "business-like" and even somewhat "robot-like" on ritalin. On Dexedrine I am able to feel so much more.
Bekka
Posted by Cressida on April 25, 2002, at 2:18:12
In reply to Concerta vs. Ritalin also Dextrostat, posted by 3 Beer Effect on April 23, 2002, at 23:58:43
I take 36mg of Concerta. One dose does last roughly 12 hours. I prefer it over standard Ritalin, Dexedrine and Adderall. It "feels" smoother in its action, with less peeks and valleys. Unfortunately, I also take a drug that dampens the stimulant affect - Seroquel. I take that for insomnia and anxiety. Anyhow, I might suggest a trial switch to 56mg of Concerta during the next appointment with my pdoc. Regarding your comparison between methylphenidate and amphetamine, and considering my own experience with ADD meds, I would agree that 10mg Dexedrine = 20mg Ritalin. Well, if you decide to drop the amphetamine and pick up Concerta, I'd say you probably won't be disappointed with your decision.
Posted by cmcdougall on April 25, 2002, at 10:09:02
In reply to Re: Concerta..., posted by Cressida on April 25, 2002, at 2:18:12
After taking Ritalin 20mg 2 or 3xday for about 7 years, I wanted to try Concerta because I got terrible "nap attacks" as the Ritalin wore off. I tried Concerta 52mg every morning for about 8 weeks. It was ok...
I tried Provigil and it was very agitating. I also felt "sparkly" which wasn't really pleasant.
My pdoc then said I could take my pick of either Adderal or dexedrine to try next. I have been taking Adderal 20mg 2 or 3xday for 3 months and it is great. I find that I need the immediate kick-in of a fast acting stimulant to get me started on the right foot each day. Also the Adderal crash is much smoother than Ritalin and I don't crave a nap everyday.
Carly
Posted by 3 Beer Effect on April 25, 2002, at 14:02:08
In reply to Concerta, Ritalin, Dextrostat -katekite, posted by Bekka H. on April 24, 2002, at 21:27:55
This is the end of the thread.
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