Drug info - Ritalin for Narcolepsy - Questions

[AlexLastName]

SWIM's pet Donkey Kong was prescribed Ritalin LA 20mg for narcolepsy and has a couple questions after a few days of use.

Donkey Kong tried three methods of taking it: taking it regularly, crushing it up and ingesting it, and crushing it up and snorting. He tried taking it regularly and hasn't felt anything aside from what seem to be side effects. The main issue is that when Donkey Kong is at the point where he should be coming down from it, Donkey Kong gets angry and frustrated; mildly, but noticeable, and more aggravating because the drug didn't help Donkey Kong.

Donkey Kong has crushed it and ingested it twice, using the bottom half of the capsule to swallow it. However he also smoked weed immediately after doing so and has disqualified those trials.

After questioning the drugs effectiveness, Donkey Kong decided he would snort it to see if it really was doing anything. Donkey Kong opened the capsule and crushed the little balls with his massive fists! It was crushed into a fairly fine powder and snorted by my friends angry primate. Donkey Kong felt no effects from snorting the powder and is confused as to what could be the issue.

My friend was wondering if his pet had ADHD also if that would prevent the Ritalin from acting as a stimulant to his lethargic pet Donkey Kong, as he has read that Ritalin does not provide stimulant-like effects to people with ADHD.

Any thoughts would be appreciated, Donkey Kong feels quite disabled by his narcolepsy and would like to find some sort of solution aside from throwing angrily throwing barrels and stealing princesses.

[MisterV]

SWIY could increase the dosage slowy up to 60mg for an adult. On the other hand there are several other medications that could be used like amphetamine, dextroamphetamine, modafinil etc.

Especially modafinil has a differnet pharamcologic mechanism as comon ADHD medication.

SWIY should check the narcolepsy wiki article if the increase of ritalin dosage doesnt work.

[AlexLastName]

Yeah, SWIM has read all about the different kinds of stuff, however Donkey Kong just got the stuff and had high hopes. Since the post, Donkey Kong has crushed up and ingested two more capsules and still does not feel anything special.

He has just switched to Ritalin from Provigil (Modafinil), as he did not find the Provigil to be effective and his insurance was being difficult.

[MisterV]

If SWIY would really have ADHD the ritalin wouldnt act stimulating, thats right.
But ADHD and narcolepsy only have some things in common - SWIM doesnt think all two could be at same time.

Only tips SWIM has: increase the ritalin dosage or try to get some other upping meds.