Provigil vs. Ritalin

Provigil(modafinil) andRitalin(methylphenidate) are stimulants prescribed to increase wakefulness in patients with excessive sleepiness related tonarcolepsy.

Provigil is also used to increase wakefulness in patients with excessive sleepiness related to shiftwork sleep disorder, and obstructivesleep apnea/hypopneasyndrome.

Ritalin is also used to treat attention-deficithyperactivitydisorder (ADHD).

Side effects of Provigil and Ritalin that are similar include headache, dizziness, nausea, nervousness, anxiety, agitation, sleep problems (insomnia),

Side effects of Provigil that are different from Ritalin include upper respiratory tract infection, diarrhea, anddry mouth.

Side effects of Ritalin that are different from Provigil include stomach pain, loss of appetite, weight loss, vomiting,palpitations, vision problems, increased heart rate, increased blood pressure, sweating, skin rash,psychosis, and numbness, tingling, and cold feeling in your hands or feet.

Both Provigil and Ritalin may interact with blood thinners andseizuremedicines.

Provigil may also interact withcyclosporine,theophylline, hormonal contraceptives,diazepam,propranolol, imipramine,desipramine,rifampin,ketoconazole, and itraconazole.

Ritalin may also interact withclonidine,dobutamine,epinephrine, isoproterenol, cold/allergymedicine that containsphenylephrine(adecongestant),potassium citrate,sodium acetate,sodium bicarbonate, citric acid andpotassiumcitrate,sodiumcitrate and citric acid, medications to treat high orlow blood pressure, stimulants, diet pills, andantidepressants.

Common side effects of Provigil include:

• headache,
• dizziness,
• upper respiratory tract infection,
• nausea,
• diarrhea,
• nervousness,
• anxiety,
• agitation,
• dry mouth, and
• trouble sleeping (insomnia).

Tell your doctor if you experience serious side effects of Provigil including:

• fever,
• easy bruising or bleeding,
• hallucinations,
• depression,
• chest pain,
• fast/pounding/irregular heartbeat, or
• mental/mood changes (such as confusion, depression, hallucinations, rare thoughts of suicide).

Common side effects of Ritalin include:

• nervousness
• agitation
• anxiety
• sleep problems (insomnia)
• stomach pain
• loss of appetite
• weight loss
• nausea
• vomiting
• dizziness
• palpitations
• headache
• vision problems
• increased heart rate
• increased blood pressure
• sweating
• skin rash
• psychosis, and
• numbness
• tingling
• or
• cold feeling in your hands or feet.

Provigil (modafinil) is a stimulant prescribed to increase wakefulness in patients with excessive sleepiness related to narcolepsy, shiftwork sleep disorder, and obstructive sleepapnea/hypopnea syndrome.

Ritalin is acentral nervous system兴奋剂处方药。它是用于the treatment of Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Ritalin may help increase attention and decrease impulsiveness and hyperactivity in patients with ADHD.

Ritalin should be used as a part of a total treatment program for ADHD that may include counseling or other therapies.

Ritalin is also used in the treatment of a sleep disorder called narcolepsy. is a central nervous system stimulant prescription medicine. It is used for the treatment of Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Ritalin may help increase attention and decrease impulsiveness and hyperactivity in patients with ADHD.

Ritalin should be used as a part of a total treatment program for ADHD that may include counseling or other therapies.

Ritalin is also used in the treatment of a sleep disorder called narcolepsy.

Riltalin is a federally controlled substance (CII) because it can be abused or lead to dependence. Keep Ritalin in a safe place to prevent misuse and abuse. Selling or giving away Ritalin may harm others, and is against the law.

Tell your doctor if you or your child have (or have a family history of) ever abused or been dependent on alcohol, prescription medicines or street drugs.

Provigil drug interactions include cyclosporine (Sandimmune), theophylline (Theo-24), hormonal contraceptives (for example, Micronor),warfarin(Coumadin), diazepam (Valium), propranolol (Inderal), imipramine (Tofranil), desipramine (Norpramin),phenytoin(Dilantin),carbamazepine(Tegretol), rifampin (Rifadin), Ketoconazole (Nizoral) and itraconazole (Sporanox). Provigil has not been adequately studied in pregnant women and it is unknown if it is excreted in breast milk. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.

告诉你的医生的所有药品you or your child takes including prescription and nonprescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Ritalin and some medicines may interact with each other and cause serious side effects. Sometimes the doses of other medicines will need to be adjusted while taking Ritalin.

Your doctor will decide whether Ritalin can be taken with other medicines.

Ritalin should not be used in patients being treated (currently or within the proceeding two weeks) with MAO Inhibitors (Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors). Because of possible effects on blood pressure, Ritalin should be used cautiously withpressoragents.

Methylphenidate may decrease the effectiveness of drugs used to treathypertension. Methylphenidate is metabolized primarily to ritalinic acid by de-esterification and not through oxidative pathways.

Human pharmacologic studies have shown that racemic methylphenidate may inhibit themetabolismof coumarin anticoagulants, anticonvulsants (e.g.,phenobarbital, phenytoin,primidone), and tricyclic drugs (e.g., imipramine,clomipramine, desipramine). Downward dose adjustments of these drugs may be required when given concomitantly with methylphenidate. It may be necessary to adjust the dosage and monitor plasma drug concentration (or, in case of coumarin,coagulationtimes), when initiating or discontinuing methylphenidate.

Provigil dosage is 200 or 400 mg daily.

• Take Ritalin exactly as prescribed.Your doctor may adjust the dose until it is right for you or your child.
• Ritalin is usually taken 2 to 3 times a day.
• Take Ritalin 30 to 45 minutes before a meal.
• From time to time, your doctor may stop Ritalin treatment for a while to check ADHD symptoms.
• Your doctor may do regular checks of the blood, heart, and blood pressure while taking Ritalin. Children should have their height and weight checked often while taking Ritalin. Ritalin treatment may be stopped if a problem is found during these check-ups.
• If you or your child takes too much Ritalin or overdoses, call your doctor or poison control center right away, or get emergency treatment.