"Long-Acting" Stimulants
In reality, there is no such thing as a "long-acting stimulant." Almost all stimulants are short-acting, including caffeine, nicotine, cocaine, Ritalin, or Adderall.
However, manufacturers put short-acting stimulants in various containers (capsules or tablets) that release short-acting medication two or more times a day. Essentially you're getting the same old wine in a different bottle.
The Concerta container is much like a capsule with three chambers, two containing methylphenidate (Ritalin) and one an absorbent material. There are laser-drilled holes in the container. As liquid from your GI tract is absorbed into the container, an osmotic plunger pushes the medication out of the holes.
Ritalin LA is a capsule that contains beads, half with a coating that dissolves immediately and half with a coating that dissolves four hours later. Short-acting Ritalin is contained within the beads. Adderall XR uses the same bead technology as Ritalin LA.
Although longer-acting preparations contain the same medication as shorter-acting preparations, some people prefer short-acting medications. They are digested and absorbed quicker with a more rapid increase in blood levels. Some people prefer the way they "feel" the medication "kicking in," and don't "notice" the "smoother" longer-acting medications "kicking in" and "wearing off."
Related Topics: Reducing Side Effects of ADHD Medications, Once-a-Day Concerta: Less Abuse Risk?
Technorati Tags: adhdmedications, long-actingstimulants, Concerta, Ritalin LA, Adderall XR
However, manufacturers put short-acting stimulants in various containers (capsules or tablets) that release short-acting medication two or more times a day. Essentially you're getting the same old wine in a different bottle.
The Concerta container is much like a capsule with three chambers, two containing methylphenidate (Ritalin) and one an absorbent material. There are laser-drilled holes in the container. As liquid from your GI tract is absorbed into the container, an osmotic plunger pushes the medication out of the holes.
Ritalin LA is a capsule that contains beads, half with a coating that dissolves immediately and half with a coating that dissolves four hours later. Short-acting Ritalin is contained within the beads. Adderall XR uses the same bead technology as Ritalin LA.
Although longer-acting preparations contain the same medication as shorter-acting preparations, some people prefer short-acting medications. They are digested and absorbed quicker with a more rapid increase in blood levels. Some people prefer the way they "feel" the medication "kicking in," and don't "notice" the "smoother" longer-acting medications "kicking in" and "wearing off."
Related Topics: Reducing Side Effects of ADHD Medications, Once-a-Day Concerta: Less Abuse Risk?
Technorati Tags: adhdmedications, long-actingstimulants, Concerta, Ritalin LA, Adderall XR
8 Comments:
I have some concerns, my step daughter is on dexedrine. She takes it in the morning and before she goes to bed. Is that normal? And should she be getting a blood test every three month to check her liver? I'm not really convinced she has ADHD; she has not seen a regular doctor in over 5yrs., she has not been tested for any other problems. Her mom had her put on adhd medication, but cause she doesn't know how to deal with her.
sincerely
psycomindmqn
i have some concerns about my 33 month old daughter i think she might have adhd or add please help i have no idea what i can do or doctors can help her with her age
How do I know if I have become addicted to Adderall?
I always had problems concentrating while in school. I could never remember anything I read. My parents sent me to tutors and places designed to help with reading comprehension. Nothing worked. I got by in high school with anywhere from a 2.5 - 2.8 GPA. I wasn't a behavioral problem and never got in trouble. Nobody expected or suggested ADD.
During my senior year of high school, when my grades were barely passing, my parents had me go to our family's doctor so they could try Biofeedback. After a session the doctor said she noticed something "different" and thought I should see a psychiatrist for ADD.
I saw a psychiatrist, reluctantly started taking Ritalin, and realized that it made me feel worse. My senior year of high school was one failed medication combination after another. Things were made worse by the fact that I was also diagnosed with OCD.
My medication didn't get worked out properly until I entered college the following year. I was taking Dexedrine. From my personal recollection, I was taking the medication for 5 years. The medication was amazing. I was able to concentrate and focus like never before. My grades skyrocketed and I graduated college with nearly a 4.0 GPA.
Right after college a psychiatrist switched me to Adderall. Although I was already out of college, I still had ADD and needed help concentrating in the work place. I have been on the medication ever since.
The problem is that I not only take it while I'm at work, but I take it while I'm at home, too. I take it during the week and on the weekends. I feel much better and in a much better frame of mind when I take it. When I don't take it I am extremely anxious and irritable. It has gotten to the point now that when I'm not on it, the withdraw I go through is so severe that I sleep most of the day. I know this is not normal. I know I should get help and try to use the medication at a reduced rate. But I'm scared. I've had so much success while on this medication (and feel so lousy when I'm off of it), that I'm afraid of the consequences of not having it. I'm also afraid of telling my doctor in the chance that he'll stop giving me prescriptions.
Do you have any advice?
My 8 year old son has taken Concerta for 2 years now to help with his Aspergers Syndrome. On 3 occasions he has passed the "capsule" shape of the medication. All three times I was convinced he had swallowed a piece of one of his toys because I never noticed the medication having a plastic coating. Apparently this is normal, but it's quite disturbing. Just thought I'd put it out there for other moms who may have had this happen to their children.
how long will my daughter need to be on concerta
My 7 year old twin sons have just been diagnosed with ADHD and Asperger's syndrome. They have been through a battery of testing and have finally started taking Concerta. They have only been taking the medication for a week. One of the twins complained of a headache the first few days but has not complained since. The other one still complains of a sever headache daily. He cries in pain and after I give him tylenol he takes a small nap. The medication states that headaches are a side effect. But how long should I expect these to last? I was assuming it would be just atransitional thing. Should I be concerned?
Can Adderall XR effect the menstrual cycle?
because i've been taking Adderall since i was 8.
and i started my period when i was 12...and now i'm 16
anyways for the past 3 months i've had frequent periods....like 2 periods each month...
could Adderall be affecting it?
my hyciatrist said i have adhd and my parents said that all it is is that you have concentration problems. but then all of my friends say that its much worse. that you cant control your behavior and that it causes you to be bossy. they also say that we should feel bad for the people with adhd because they're retarded. Who should I beleive?
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