Health - Ritalin psychosis

[Psyduck]

Hi

It's been a while since I've taken Ritalin (which I'm prescribed) non-recreationally. I guess it's been 4 weeks. Browsing the internet I came across an article about amphetamine psychosis. Typically it appears after large doses or chronic use, although in rare cases some people may become psychotic after relatively small doses. Now that I think about it, I remember some really nasty side-effects from 20 mg Ritalin (which is a very small dose).

I clearly wasn't thinking straight then. Also there were some "blue dots" in my sight (I wasn't hallucinating). I felt really shitty the days after, incredibly tired, nauseous,... It only went as bad as this 3 times the last 2 years

I don't take any other drugs regularly, so the side-effects must have come from the medication. In a few weeks I'm planning to start using it again for studying.

Has somebody some advice for me; like that I'm very sensitive for such things (since 20 mg spread in 6 hours is a low dose) and rather stay away from it as far as possible. Mostly I react stable on it, but the medication is not 100% safe. I always turned out fine. But I don't want to trigger something. There's a lot of controversy about the medication. But will things turn out fine in the long run? Of course you can only speculate about this, but I'm interested to hear your point of view.

Cheers

[Panthers007]

First off - read the rules. Especially the one pertaining to self-incrimination. Rules are here:
http://www.drugs-forum.com/forum/ann....php?f=184&a=1

Secondly - yes Ritalin - can cause "amphetamine" psychosis. It's quite common and often goes undiagnosed. In particular with kids who are forced to take it for their alleged ADHD. I've seen this happen, and the doctor just thinks Little Billy is in need of more Ritalin! It's a vicious cycle.

Read up on the symptoms and treatment. The word 'amphetamine' and 'Ritalin(methylphenidate)' can be used interchangably in this situation.

[JudgeJudy]

Hi psyduck, there is an ADHD forum SWIY can join. They really know their shit over there when it comes to ADHD and behavioral disorders, and they also know the salt compounds as well.

[Psyduck]

Panthers007 why do I need to SWIM? It's perfectly legal medication...

[Mortis]

I hear at least voices and see hallucinations much easier with ritalin than with amphetamine(think its not meth over here...). during this binge tha's lasted 2-3 days i have had some delusions that people are coming to get me and stuff... the usual speed stuff... offcourse those were prolly heightened cos every time i smoked cannabis...

but then i have diagnosed schitzophrenia(or how u spell it ?)

So most likely, if u a lot during a long perioid, that might send u to real psychosis... Actually, i think it might do it easier than amphetamine use(not sure about meth, usually plain amphetamine here...)

[staples]

Originally Posted by Mortis

but then i have diagnosed schitzophrenia(or how u spell it ?)

Then you really shouldn't be taking these stimulants...


Psyduck: It's important to SWIM because it is not legal to take ritalin recreationally. Probably the same for Mortis, though I don't know what the laws are in Finland, I can't imagine that amphetamines or methylphenidate are legally accessible without a prescription nor do I think a doctor would prescribe amphetamines or methylphenidate to a diagnosed schizophrenic.

[HorseBucket]

Can antipsychotics be taken in conjunction with amphetamines to alleviate the psychosis or would the antipsychotics quell the stimulant properties of the drug too?

[vinylmesh]

Originally Posted by HorseBucket

Can antipsychotics be taken in conjunction with amphetamines to alleviate the psychosis or would the antipsychotics quell the stimulant properties of the drug too?

I think some atipsychotics are dopamine antagonists so they should cancel each other out (if i'm right that is).

[staples]

Originally Posted by vinylmesh

I think some atipsychotics are dopamine antagonists so they should cancel each other out (if i'm right that is).

From what I understand, amphetamines both block re-uptake of dopamine as well as bind to and activate dopamine receptors. So, a dopamine antagonist should help by stepping down the release of dopamine into the synaptic cleft, but amphetamines will still activate dopamine receptors and block re-uptake of whatever dopamine does get released, so it shouldn't be completely canceled-out.... I don't know if it'd be enough or not to battle amphetamine psychosis, but it might be enough in the case of Methylphenidate, since methylphenidate doesn't bind to dopamine receptors but just blocks the re-uptake.

Do antipsychotics also work on noradrenaline? If not, even when the dopamine thing is taken care of, the subject will probably be overly-anxious/fearful still, benzodiazepines may help here.

[Tom Cruise]

this is the exact reason swim no longer takes his concerta, he was constantly losing touch with reality. he always had to ask himself "is this actually happening? where am i? should i be doing something important?" the concerta affected swim so much he became suicidal multiple times.
imho if you want to keep your sanity, do not use these drugs

[100mg Methylphenidate]

Taking a CYP2D6 inhibiting drug along with amphetamines will lead to a elevated level of amphetamines in the system and the drug will also remain longer in the body, this can lead to undesired or possibly serious side effects. This includes some anti-psychotics such as thioridazine, haloperidol, and, levomepromazine. Watch out...