Pharmacology - First day on Ritalin

[HorseBucket]

I was just prescribed Ritalin LA 20mg pills and started taking them today. I only took it about an hour ago but I already notice a huge improvement. I have an urge to organize things which is completely new because I'm usually a sloppy bastard and literally have a pile of clothes on my floor because I'm too lazy to put them into drawers. For the first time in about 2 months I filled up my drawers. Feels like quite an achievement for me.

Overall I feel much more optimistic than usual although I'm not feeling any euphoria like people do on methamphetamine. I took 40mg to see what the effects were. So far I'm liking it. I'm extremely calm but I'm ready to get up and work.

I have the flu at the moment so I wouldn't say thats contributing towards feeling good. Are there any tricks to boost euphoria and make you feel good while on Ritalin?

Also Ritalin "LA" is a slow release form of Ritalin that comes in capsules. Is it just the gelatin capsules that release the drug slowly or is there something in the drug itself?

[staples]

Some things off the top of my head, ranked relatively in order from safest to most dangerous. Based on either personal experience from when I was prescribed to ritallin and concerta, from experiences I've read about, or from what I understand about the pharmacology involved.

• Avoid acidic foods (fruit juices)
• Take an antacid (tums, alka seltzer, baking soda) around 30 minutes before methylphenidate
• It may have just been me, but vitamin B-6, l-tyrosine, and l-phenlalanine supplements seemed to cause a noticeable augmentation of effects. The l-tyrosine may be the most effective.
• Caffeine (careful, the combination just makes many feel sick and I would advise anyone on methylphenidate or other prescription stimulants to avoid caffeine under normal circumstances)
• Mixing with amphetamines (dangerous, can even be fatal)

Originally Posted by HorseBucket

I took 40mg to see what the effects were.

No you didn't, that would be illegal.

[HorseBucket]

Well not exactly. My doctor recommended to take 20mg for the first week then move up to 40mg but he recommended I try different dosages to see what works best. He just said never to exceed 60mg and that 20mg-60mg was a normal adult dosage.

Swim noticed a definite uplift after drinking a cup of tea. Caffeine seems to combine well with the drug.

[kerang]

Hi there swiHB.

Just wondering how that Ritalin is working for swiY?
Swim is prolly getting his script soon and would like to hear about other swim's experiences.
seems like it made a difference in swiy's case

[HorseBucket]

It works but swim needs to push himself to do things because he's perfectly happy sitting in one spot for hours doing absolutely nothing when he's on the stuff. Its like a tranquilizer or something for him. Say swim has a big report to write up or something he won't feel like doing it because it requires a bit of movement he'd rather watch TV cuz all he has to do is press the buttons on the remote but if he pushes himself to start doing the report he has fun doing it and doesn't wanna stop.

If its the same for swiy swim recommends just doing things even though swiy doesn't feel like it because once swiy starts it he won't wanna stop but if swiy starts doing something pointless like watching TV he won't wanna stop doing that either.