Posted by chemist on April 20, 2004, at 14:35:51
In reply to Re: Ritalin? Really?, posted by KathrynLex on April 20, 2004, at 14:20:43
> Hi Chemist,
>
> Thanks for your feedback, getting someone elses perspective on this really helps. That and it's always nice to know what to expect.
>
> I'm also concerned about Ritalin given what a potent med it is. My pdoc was saying that it's in the same class of drugs as heroine and other stimulants. That puts me on edge a little bit.
>
> I'll give it a try though, and your response has made me feel a lot more comfortable about taking it. Thanks.
>
> K.k, your doc is incorrect in re: ritalin being in the same class of drugs as heroin:heroin is diacetylmorphine, an opiate, a painkiller, and targets very different receptors than ritalin. ritalin is a central nervous system stimulant, and the addiction/abuse potential between the two drugs is way, way far. your first go-round with ritalin will likely mimic how you would feel if you drank a pot of coffee, but that said, ritalin (methylphenidate) is much, much ``cleaner'' in terms of what receptors it hits and the half-life for elimination. caffeine, theophylline, and theobromine (in coffee) are quite wide-ranging in terms of what parts of your system they effect. ritalin's mechanism of action is unknown but rest assured there are not nearly as many active metabolites hanging around as there are after that pot of coffee. also, dexedrine and adderall are both drugs of the amphetamine class; ritalin is not. that is not to say it is less dangerous, but maybe that is reassuring to you. start slow.....all the best, chemist
poster:chemist
thread:338109
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20040417/msgs/338136.html