Posted by EREIAMJH on November 4, 2003, at 20:27:24
In reply to caffeine vs ritalin, posted by linkadge on November 4, 2003, at 13:57:41
I copied the following from another board some time ago, it's an interesting comparison of caffeine and methylphenidate (Ritalin).
**************************************************
Caffeine
------------------
Effective for 20 minutes, can cause sleeplessness for over 12 hoursRitalin
------------------
Effective for 4 hours, can cause sleeplessness for 10-12 hours**************************************************
Caffeine
------------------
Need to constantly "freshen up" caffeine intake to realize any continued benefit over 20 minutesRitalin
------------------
Need to take 1 to 2 times per day**************************************************
Caffeine
------------------
Addictive in doses that would be considered therapeuticRitalin
------------------
Non-Addictive in therapeutic doses**************************************************
Caffeine
------------------
Causes headache, irritability, mood swings, heart palpatations and exacerbates ticsRitalin
------------------
Side effects are similar, but less common than with caffeine in children's doses**************************************************
Caffeine
------------------
Difficult to monitor intake or limit "upping the dosage"Ritalin
------------------
Easy to monitor, tightly controlled to prevent abuse**************************************************
Caffeine
------------------
Withdrawal causes headache, irritability, concentration issues, dizzinessRitalin
------------------
No withdrawal as long as med is not abused. Can be discontinued on "days off" without negative effects (except poor attention span returns immediately)
poster:EREIAMJH
thread:276530
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20031030/msgs/276647.html