Hi Everyone,

Today I was prescribed 20mg Ritalin SR (2-3X/day). My doctor said I could take it however it was most helpful. I actually wanted Concerta 54 mg but my insurance doesn't cover it. So...I want to try to make the experience of these SR tabs as close as possible to the experience of taking the Concerta. My doctor said the difference between the SR and the Concerta was a matter of splitting hairs. But I am not so sure. :confused:

For example, the concerta had an initial immediate release dose...but does the SR have this? Or will I need some of the Ritalin IR tabs to cover me in the morning?

Also...how long do the SR tabs generally last for people? I know everyone is different but I am just interested in what others have found. What I read about them sounds like they will only last about 8 hours and peak at three. So it seems like once a day dosing might not be enough. And although he said I could take them staggered throughout the day if that helps, I'm not sure how the dosing would work out. Is it possible to take the SR 3 times per day? :confused: That is what is written on the prescription actually. But he said to do whatever is helpful.

I am just trying to figure out how to take these. I was not expecting him to give me the sustained release, and so I am not familiar with them at all. I want to start tomorrow.

Any ideas or suggestions would be much appreciated.

Thanks for your help. :)

Man your doctor is behind the times. Ritalin SR has the reputation of being the least reliable med for ADD. The outer coating of the pill has 10mg of immediate release Ritalin and the inner part is made of a wax-like layer core to try and slow the release of the remaining 10mg. It usually does not work very well and is almost an extinct form of Ritalin considering there are better alternatives.

If your insurance won't cover Concerta ask about Ritalin LA or Metadate CD. These 2 meds are true, highly reliable 6-8 hour pills. The only difference is the amount of med released with each dose. Ritalin LA has two equal doses about 4 hours apart. Metadate CD does a 30/70 release. Your insurance should cover one of these two meds.

Good luck

J

Hi J,

Thanks for your post. :) Yeah I too haven't heard a lot of good stuff about Ritalin SR...although I'm not sure I understand what the problems are with it. Is it that it releases inconsistently? or incompletely? Unfortunately I am in Canada and I am not sure that we have all that many options here. I will definitely check out the drugs you've mentioned though and see if they are available. I have a bad feeling they won't be as my insurance is *very* limited.:(

This morning I took one of the SR tabs. I took it about 3 hours ago and at first it was good and now I feel a bit zoned. But I also really need to eat.

I maybe will ask my doc for some Ritalin IR just for the morning? Or...what about cutting the SR tabs? Would that make them IR?

Thanks again for your help and I will let you know what I find out about these other meds. :)

sprite, people with ADHD often forget to eat at regular intervals through the day. Low blood sugar is not a good thing.

I admit I did a terrible job as far as eating properly today. So I will try tomorrow to stay well fuelled. Easier said than done for me. :\ I took half of another SR about 2.5 hours ago and I feel pretty good right now. So we will see.

The SR formulation is both unreliable and can be incomplete. The first dose that is released is reliable but the cheap waxy inside sometimes works, sometimes doesn't work well. Cutting a SR pill in half won't give you reliable results either.

I would seriously ask your doctor about Ritalin LA or Metadate CD. Both have been out for several years and should be available even in Canada.

J

Well, I checked and it seems the only methylphenidate that is available here is the Ritalin IR, SR (and generics), Concerta, and then there is a new drug called Biphentin that is currently under review by my insurance. It is very new in Canada and I haven't heard much about it but it sounds like it might be a good alternative. It is supposed to be much cheaper than Concerta but still a sustained release.

So for now I'm stuck with either Ritalin IR or SR. :( I don't know what I am doing today with these meds. Maybe 20 SR is too high? I broke the pill in half just now and took it. But then decided to take the other half too.

I know I need to have patience to work the ideal meds out, and that it is unlikely to just happen all at once, but I really want this to work out. I have some short acting dex I can take too (my doctor prescribed it along with the Ritalin as I know it helps me with certain things).

One good thing is that last night I slept great. :)

I broke the pill in half just now and took it. But then decided to take the other half too.Please phone your pharmacy and ask them if it is o.k. to cut up slow release / extended release pills. Please take advantage of the search feature on these forums and learn about the medications you are taking.

Thanks Imnapl. :) I've been using the search feature and I agree it is very helpful. And yes....definitely I will talk to the pharmacist next time I pick up a prescription. For now, I'm just going to take the SR 20 as is (i.e. whole). I feel fine on it this morning. Much better than yesterday. Food and sleep do wonders. ;)

Yay Ritalin!!! :D

Thanks Imnapl. :) I've been using the search feature and I agree it is very helpful. And yes....definitely I will talk to the pharmacist next time I pick up a prescription. For now, I'm just going to take the SR 20 as is (i.e. whole). I feel fine on it this morning. Much better than yesterday. Food and sleep do wonders. ;)Sprite, you are obviously a fast learner. :cool: