Deimus
Newbie
Reged: 04/22/04
Posts: 31
|
|
Does anyone know the difference between focalin (dexmethylphenidate) and ritalin (methylphenidate)? From the little I've understood the main difference is that dexmethylphenidate is twice as potent as methylphenidate but without the "peripheral" effects of methylphenidate (which I assume implies that dexmethylphenidate gives less central nervous system stimulation than normal methylphenidate does).
Can anyone corroborate this information or offer any other information between the two pharmaceuticals?
|
tone
Veteran
Reged: 06/29/03
Posts: 512
Loc: Chicago
|
|
looks like its a particular isomer of the methylphenidate molecue. they did this with Celexa too. theres a new drug called lexapro that has the same drug as celexa, only they isolated the stereo isomer thats active and dumped the otehr one, that explains why its twice as potent. use www.google.com and research for yourself, all you have to do is type in the drug. theres other sites to like drugs.com and rxlist
|
Deimus
Newbie
Reged: 04/22/04
Posts: 31
|
|
The reason I asked here is because my research had turned up scarcely any information. The most informative piece of literature came directly from the manufacturer's website: http://www.pharma.us.novartis.com/products/name/focalin.jsp
However, all of the information offered is medical jargon with no real answer to my questions regarding the differences between focalin and ritalin. Another reason I'm asking here is because I'm looking for opinions from people who have tried both medications and can offer their subjective evaluations.
|
WickedNoah
Member
Reged: 10/02/04
Posts: 122
|
|
Quote:
The reason I asked here is because my research had turned up scarcely any information. The most informative piece of literature came directly from the manufacturer's website: http://www.pharma.us.novartis.com/products/name/focalin.jsp
However, all of the information offered is medical jargon with no real answer to my questions regarding the differences between focalin and ritalin. Another reason I'm asking here is because I'm looking for opinions from people who have tried both medications and can offer their subjective evaluations.
Okay, no problem. Tone already said it, but I'll put it differently. Many drugs have stereoisomers, which are mirror images of each other - they have the same bonds and molecules and ions and everything, but the bonds stick out into space differently, so they look different to receptors. One binds whatever Ritalin binds well, one does not. The same thing exists for Adderall (both mirror images) and Dexedrine (the "left" stereoisomer).
So the point - this is a lot stronger than normal Ritalin. It doesn't have the mirror image, which can mess things up or help (for instance, both are useful in tramadol); I haven't done the research to see if it helps, but I will in the next day or so. Assuming it doesn't help, your dose is smaller, the side effects are less, and its action is more specific. If this doesn't answer your question that tone actually did for me, I'll be back with how this affects body distribution, half-life, getting through the blood-brain barrier, etc.
Cool? And let's give a shout out to tone who posted essentially the same thing.
EDITED: Okay, what I found initially is that it is WAY stronger than Ritalin - max. dosage 20mg a day, when my brother was like up to 60 of regular Ritalin.
Number 2 - Focalin has a higher therapeutic index, meaning that the dose that causes symptoms of ADHD to disappear and the dose needed to kill you are farther apart with Focalin than with Ritalin.
Number 3 - in hehavioral tests in rodents, they respond better to Focalin than Ritalin. In other words, their responses are either faster or longer, depending on the test given. They do better, is the take home meessage.
Noah
Edited by WickedNoah (10/23/04 03:02 AM)
|
tone
Veteran
Reged: 06/29/03
Posts: 512
Loc: Chicago
|
|
hmm interesting noah and original poster... theres a site where med users give their rating and comments, i forgot what it was, does anyone know it?
|
Previous
Index
Next
Threaded
Edit 
Reply 
Quote 
