Therapeutic Comparison of dexmethylphenidate (focalin) vs. methylphenidate (ritalin)

[Laudaphun]

SWIM has been interested in researching the effects of the isolated dextrorotarymethylphenidate forumlation in comparison with the racemic mixture (methylphenidate or ritalin). SWIM is interested in personal experiences with the therapeutic uses of methylphenidate and dexmethylphenidate (ritalin vs focalin), people who have used both and the pros and cons, along with which they preferred and which resulted in better academic performance. Comparison of side-effects also is of particular interest. SWIM thus far has only experience with methylphenidate and is consindering experimenting with dexmethylphenidate to compare it's effectiveness with methylphenidate, but hasn't gotten a chance to see her psychiatrist yet. Last month, SWIM used a racemic mixture of amphetamines for comparison and was dissapointed with the effects of the amphetamine mixture and decided to return to methylphenidate. However, SWIM did not have the time to really give the racemic mixture of amphetamines a full and thorough evaluation given that she was in the middle of a very intensive and short-term advanced organic chemistry course and couldn't chance any reduction in performance. SWIM noticed that the racemic mixture would have little therapeutic benefit during the first part of the day, as it seemed to make her drowsy which would seem odd, but during the second half of the day it had the same benefit of methylphenidate leading SWIM to think that she was responsive to one isomer and not the other.

Because of this, SWIM is very interested in seeing if the dextrorotary isomer of methylphenidate (dexmethylphenidate or focalin) has a greater benefit than her current formulation of plain methylphenidate (ritalin). SWIM will continue to post her experiences and update this thread as she is able to or does additional research on the mechanism of action of the individual isomers. Again, any personal experiences with comparing and contrastng ritalin (methylphenidate) vs focalin (dexmethylphenidate) would be greatly appreciated. Again, please not that this is a comparision of NOT recreational use, but therapeutic use.