Posted by radley a berner on November 4, 2003, at 20:18:35
In reply to Re: Straterra vs. Adderall XR ???, posted by devin on March 11, 2003, at 20:09:26
Actually Concerta IS Ritalin, just in an extended release form which can be purchased much cheaper in a generic form called ritalin SR or other similar Methylphenidate hydrochloride substitutes. Some of these include: Concerta, Metadate, Methylin generic and a more potent ritalin known by the brand name of Focalin, pronounced: FOKE-ah-lin, its generic name; Dexmethylphenidate hydrochloride, however; they are all in the same Ritalin or Methylphenidate hydrochloride family.
Any MD or DO should make this clear and not try to "sell" or "bias" what these meds are by using their "white-coat rank" to talk down to their patients with complicated medical terms.
Adderall is in the amphetamine family which is basically a cocktail of inert and active amphetamines (d & l type.) Dexedrine:
Pronounced: DEX-eh-dreen, Generic name: Dextroamphetamine sulfate is the d-amphetamine only form of Adderall. Another effective ADD/ADHD amphetamine, known by its brand name; Desoxyn, pronounced: des-OK-sin and its generic name; Methamphetamine hydrochloride.
A lot of MD's/DO's frown on amphetamines and in most cases push the ritalin types or worse yet try to push meds such as Strattera and Wellbutrin. There are several reasons for this but usually it's because the drug companies "teach" doctor's to be marketer's of their "new" meds or the fact that many physicians are still afraid or pretend they can not write for stimulants because of their fear that the DEA will investigate them more, which is wrong.
The bottom line is do your research before the visit, have a list of questions ready and remember your physician is only one tool to your total well-being and not a "god" or superhuman.
I suggest for further reading a book called "Doctor Shopping." It is very useful at helping the average patient achieve effective treatment and teaches people how to directly ask physicians the difficult but necessary questions.
poster:radley a berner
thread:139991
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20031030/msgs/276644.html