I was diagnosed last week, and was set to start modafinil today but refused it upon being told it interacts with my birth control. So my specialist said Ritalin was his next choice, anyone have any experience with it?
Heather
Ritalin is one of the common drugs (it's a stimulant) used for N. I was on it for many years, at a very high dose, and did fine. Others have side effects (my husband couldn't take the lowest possible dose for ADD due to side effects). Adderall is apparently the next drug of choice since modafinil / armodafinil are out for you - or change your birth control method.
Heather
personally, I need both Ritalin and Modafinil. So wat is the story about Ritalin vs Modafinil? The Ritalin/adderal alone aren't enough to get me through the day. I can tell you from first hand experience that the pill does not work from a birth control perspective while on Provigil/Nuvigil. I got pregnant while on bc. Ironically enough it still helps with the monthly hormonal/acne changes for me
Kim
Armodafinil and modafinil can decrease the efficacy of any form of hormonal birth control. Pills, patches, shots, implants, rings, some IUDs. There are plenty of modafinil babies born to moms on birth control if you ask around in these groups. If you are serious about preventing pregnancy and wish to continue nuvigil/provigil then consider switching to a non hormonal method like condoms, sponge, spermicidal foam, copper IUD, cervical cap. Or stick with hormonal BC and add a barrier backup.
KL
My doctor said it really interferes with any type of oral birth, so like the pill, and can have issues with some other hormonal ones in general. It doesn't interfere with certain kinds of the shots, like the progestogen only shots, and certain kinds of IUDs such as the medicated Mirena one, though.

I took modafinil for 3yrs and then decided I wanted to go on birth control at 18, so I switched to Ritalin. I take the concerta brand, it's a gradual release brand, so it goes throughout the day, instead of one big boost altogether at one point in time. I personally find my Ritalin works better than my modafinil , keeps me more alert and awake, but it probably depends on the person. In any case, it wouldn't hurt to try Ritalin and stay on your birth control. If it doesn't work for you, you can always talk to your doctor and you can figure out how to switch things around so everything works out.
Tiana
I take ritalin but the down side is it has many side effects for me. I gget headaches and nauseous if i dont take it. And it took me a very long time to figure out the right dosage.. and to this day it still doesnt always keep me awake..
j45
Id suggest taking to doc about using the immediate release Ritalin along w the time released Ritalin which is called Concerta. Ritalin alone is like being on a roller coaster and when it wears off its like hitting a wall. The combo works much better. I've been on it on and off for about 12 years.
ErO
I started on Provigil years ago back when it was still new. I experience interference with my hormonal birth control.

The next one I tried was Ritalin and I loved it. It didn't have the side effects that Provigil had. But, I built up a tolerance to it extremely quickly. I'm talking months, maybe three? Four? I was already at the max dose in that short amount of time.

I went on Adderall after that and I've been on it for 11 or 12 years now.

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