Ritalin vs Nuvigil

[pballer76]

I have been on Ritalin for about 3 years now. I am worried about being addicted to it. If I dont get it, I get terribly depressed so it is very important I have my 1 1/2 10 mg 2x a day. That is a big part of the problem it is so difficult to get my prescription. They will write it but I have to call with just enough Ritalin left in order for me to have enough time to pick up the script and take it to the pharmacy.

I work 50 miles away from where I live. Every month refilling my prescription is such a headache. I was wondering if anyone has had luck with Nuvigil my doc says she has had good luck with it? I want to try Nuvigil but I have 3 questions
1)Will I still be depressed because of no Ritalin?
2)Can they phone in prescription?
3)Is it covered by most insurance? I know Ritalin is cheap

[wkikta]

The Insurance 'might' be ok with the change. Ritalin is a very cheap Generic, Nuvigil is fairly expensive. If you fail with the Generic they usually are fine with a Brand Name. Don't know if it will do anything for the Depression, a Generic Anti-Depressant may be in order.

[Moosette]

Hi there, I have been taking Nuvigil on and off for a few months now, there is very little chance of developing an addiction to it which is what is one of Nuvigil's bigger selling points...The only issues I have found with taking it however are that by the end of the night I usually have a headache and I can only take it a few times a week because if you take it daily, your body builds up a tolerance pretty quickly...that being said, when it does work its great, I have waaaay more energy and feel really good.I don't know if depression is so much an issue but anxiety is listed as a possible side effect.

The only other thing about Nuvigil is that there is no generic so it is VERY expensive. Insurance companies don't really want to touch it. You have to have a pre authorization from your dr. and even then since MS isn't listed as one of the diseases Nuvigil is used for, a pre authorization sometimes doesn't even help. I just went through this with my insurance co. trying to get a prescription and it was a nightmare. Luckily my neuro is supplying me with nuvigil samples until provigil (nuvigil's cousin) comes out as a generic this yr. Hope this info helps...good luck to ya!

[SNOOPY]

That is a big part of the problem it is so difficult to get my prescription. They will write it but I have to call with just enough Ritalin left in order for me to have enough time to pick up the script and take it to the pharmacy.

ADD medications, such as Ritalin, are a Schedule II substance under the Controlled Substances Act. This means you need a written prescription from your Doctor each month. No refills by phone or indicated on the prescription.

What some doctors will do is is write out separate prescriptions for X amount of months (dated for each new month). Something you may want to discuss with your prescribing doctor.

Nuvigil and Ritalin are both stimulants. For some people simulants can be addicting but it depends on the person. The only way to answer the question about depression is to use Nuvigil and see what it does and does not do for you.

I believe your doctor can indicate refills on the prescription for Nuvigil unlike Ritalin.

[lh3lm3]

Nuvigil vs. ridelin

I've been on Provigil/Nuvigil for 5 years and it allows me to stay awake long enough to live life. If I don't take it, I find that I will easily sleep 15-20 hours the following day.

Since it counteracts my birth control pills, I'm considering looking at alternatives to Nuvigil. Ridelin....or??? Any suggestions?


Lisa

[sw8689]

Hi Pballer, I have been on ritalin for about a year and half now, up to one and half, 10mg tabs twice a day.

I'm a little concerned about it too. I think it is making me flat, emotionally or maybe depressed. the more I take the worse it gets.

I started reducing it this week slowly as I do suspect i am addicted to it, I would think that after a year most would be.

my fatigue is so debilitating that my cognitive functions are becoming impaired to the point where I don't want to be with other people.. so I do need something. Maybe I'll go back to provigil, i went off it because I became imune to it after many years of use.

so I guess what I'm saying is, I understand because I feel the same, and I think it is the ritalin that could be depressing us. Time to ask the doc some questions and do some research..

[SNOOPY]

I think it is making me flat, emotionally or maybe depressed. the more I take the worse it gets.

I think it is the ritalin that could be depressing us.

Hi sw8689,

Ritalin can and does cause depression and suicidal thoughts as can any ADD med, but Ritalin is more known for this. This can happen at any stage of using Ritalin, early on or after you have been on it for awhile.

You can stop Ritalin without a taper, however, please contact your prescribiing doctor asap for the best advice.

[sw8689]

Thank you snoopy! I M seeing my Dr. This am about another issue and I'm going reduce this med to a very low amount and then go off of it. I think it is depressing me, something is for sure.

I researched it and also saw the side effects, not so good for me in particular. I hope I can replace it with something else.

Thanks.