Posted by alohashirt on May 25, 2006, at 21:38:28
In reply to focalin chemistry and pharmacology, posted by saturn on May 24, 2006, at 22:07:38
I'm pretty naive about chemistry but can describe my own experience: 40-50mg of Focalin XR is broadly comparable to 72mg - 96mg of Concerta. Both last around 8 hours. Focalin is more front loaded. Concerta felt more "robotic". Focalin doesn't affect my sleep as much as Concerta did.
>
> My understanding is that focalin (dexmethylphenidate) is the d-isomer of racemic methylphenidate, and it is the one primarily responsible for ritalin's therapeutic effects.
>
> Is the other isomer l-methylphenidate?
>
> And is methylphenidate similar to amphetamine where the D-isomer is primarily centrally acting and the other (stereo)isomer is primarily active in the PNS (peripheral side effects)?
>
> I read somewhere that the centrally-inactive isomer of methylphenidate, which is cut out of focalin, is actually poorly absorbed and so even with ritalin it is mainly the dexmethylphenidate that is absorbed. Could anyone comment on this? Thanks,
>
> Regards
poster:alohashirt
thread:648160
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20060525/msgs/648631.html