When the average person thinks about weight loss pills, Phentermine’s the first thing that usually comes to mind.
But recently, many people have started talking about Ritalin and wondering if it’s worth trying.
Although Phentermine and Ritalin are amphetamines, how these drugs are used and their intended effects differ significantly.
Phentermine acts as a central nervous system stimulant. It’s used for short-term weight loss and is taken orally. Ritalin is a stimulant used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), so it’s not prescribed for weight loss except when used off-label since it decreases appetite.
This article will explore the differences between Ritalin and Phentermine and help you figure out which one is right for you.
Phentermine vs Ritalin: Which is Better?
Phentermine and Ritalin belong to the same family of drugs known as CNS stimulants, which means they work on the central nervous system to suppress appetite and increase metabolism. They also have similar side effects, including increased heart rate and blood pressure, insomnia, irritability, nervousness, and dry mouth.
Both Phentermine and Ritalin are prescription drugs that can help weight loss, although for different reasons.
Phentermine is a sympathomimetic drug that mimics the activity of adrenaline and noradrenaline. Because of this, it helps to suppress appetite and increase metabolism.
Ritalin is used to treat ADHD and narcolepsy. It increases focus, making it easier to lose weight by keeping you from being distracted by hunger pangs or cravings for unhealthy foods.
However, some essential differences between these two drugs may affect how well they work for you:
Ritalin |
Phentermine |
|
| Uses: | Long-term treatment of ADHD – Prescription-only / CNS stimulant | Short-term aid to weight loss – Prescription-only / CNS stimulant |
| Drug class: | Central Nervous system stimulants | Anorexiants, CNS stimulants |
| Dosage: | Available in 10mg tablets or capsules and is usually taken twice a day at least one hour before meals. The maximum daily dose is 40mg per day. | Available in 5mg tablets or capsules and is usually taken once daily in the morning. The maximum daily dose is 60mg per day. |
| Side effects: | Rare side effects. Dizziness or lightheadedness | Dry mouth, insomnia, constipation, diarrhea, and nervousness. |
| Dosage Form: | Tablets and Capsules | Extended-release capsules allow for fewer doses |
| Drug interactions: | Alcohol, other stimulants | Metformin, sibutramine, MAOIs, SSRIs, and benzodiazepines |
| Disease Interactions: | Cardiac disease, Glaucoma, Hypertension, Liver diseases. | Should be avoided by patients with heart disease or high blood pressure |
| Prescription requirement: | Prescription-only | Prescription-only under close medical supervision |
| Potential for Abuse: | Less likely to cause withdrawal symptoms | More likely to cause symptoms of withdrawal |
| Pregnancy safety: | Category C. Avoid if possible | Category X; not safe for pregnancy |
Phentermine vs. Ritalin for Weight Loss
Both Phentermine and Ritalin are stimulants. Their primary purpose is to increase the amount of energy in your body.
But they do it in different ways.
Ritalin for Weight loss
Ritalin stimulates the production of dopamine and norepinephrine in your brain. These chemicals make you feel more alert, focused, and energetic.
The drug is not prescribed for weight loss because it doesn’t increase metabolism or break down fat. It only causes you to feel hungry less often. If you reduce your calorie intake while taking Ritalin, this can lead to weight loss.
However, experts warn against using this drug long-term because of its potential side effects like heart problems and addiction. Over time, the body builds a tolerance to Ritalin, so you have to take more of it to get the same effect. High dosage leads to overdose risk.
Phentermine for Weight Loss
Phentermine is a prescription weight-loss drug that doctors typically prescribe to patients with a BMI of 30 or greater.
The combination of phentermine and exercise has been shown to be effective in helping people lose weight.
Unfortunately, there are still side effects associated with this drug.
Phentermine works by increasing the levels of two chemicals called serotonin and norepinephrine in your brain. Serotonin produces feelings of wellbeing and happiness, while norepinephrine boosts energy levels by helping you burn fat stores for fuel instead of carbohydrates from food.
Phentermine medication should only be used for short-term use because it can cause many side effects and pose health risks if taken for long or without medical supervision.
Phentermine vs Ritalin weight loss side effects
Phentermine and Ritalin have different side effects:
When you stop taking Ritalin, any weight you lost on the drug will come right back. Your appetite returns, but your body doesn’t burn as many calories without the stimulant.
Overdose risk increases because people sometimes take more than one dose daily to keep their energy up when they go off it.
However, when you stop taking phentermine after a few weeks or months of use, there’s no rebound effect like Ritalin. After stopping treatment, you will still have some weight-loss benefits from increased serotonin levels.
Those effects aren’t permanent, but they will last for some time after use.
Phentermine and Ritalin Together
Phentermine and Ritalin together can be a dangerous combination. While these two drugs have similar effects on the body, they are very different in their chemical make-up, and combining them can cause serious side effects.
Phentermine is an appetite suppressant that works by increasing levels of norepinephrine in the brain.
Ritalin is a stimulant that works by increasing dopamine levels in the brain, which causes a feeling of euphoria and excitement.
Combining these two drugs can cause hyperactivity, insomnia, anxiety, restlessness, irritability, rapid heartbeat, tremors, and seizures. Additionally, there have been reports of people experiencing seizures while taking this drug combination.
Phentermine and Ritalin interactions
If you are considering taking Phentermine or Ritalin, you should be aware of the potential interactions between it and other drugs.
For example, a medication for diabetes may interact with another medication, such as phentermine or Ritalin, to lower blood sugar levels too much. It can be dangerous if it causes dizziness, weakness, and fainting. It can also lead to severe hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).
Phentermine drug interactions
The following are some of the most commonly prescribed medications that interact with phentermine:
- Antidepressants: Tricyclic antidepressants such as amitriptyline (Elavil), imipramine (Tofranil), desipramine (Norpramin), nortriptyline (Aventyl), protriptyline (Pamelor) and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) such as fluoxetine (Prozac), paroxetine (Paxil) and sertraline (Zoloft).
- Antihistamines: Promethazine and diphenhydramine
- Antibiotics: Tetracyclines, erythromycin, chloramphenicol, quinolones, and sulfonamides
- Alcohol: Alcohol interferes with the metabolism of phentermine
- Central nervous system depressants: barbiturates, benzodiazepines
- Cholesterol-lowering medications
Ritalin drug interactions
The following are some of the most commonly prescribed medications that interact with Ritalin:
- Antidepressants: Tricyclic antidepressants such as amitriptyline (Elavil), imipramine (Tofranil), desipramine (Norpramin), nortriptyline (Aventyl), protriptyline (Pamelor) and doxepin (Sinequan). These can increase the risk of side effects. If you are taking one of these medications, consult your physician before taking Ritalin.
- Narcotic analgesics: Examples include codeine, hydrocodone, meperidine, morphine and oxycodone. These drugs can cause drowsiness, confusion, and dizziness when taken together with Ritalin. If you take narcotic pain relievers for any reason, be sure to consult your physician before taking Ritalin.
- Antihistamines: An example is diphenhydramine (Benadryl). This drug may cause drowsiness when taken together with Ritalin.
- Barbiturates: Barbiturates such as phenobarbital or secobarbital. Ritalin may increase the sedative effects of these drugs, which can cause drowsiness and dizziness.
- Inhibitors of Cytochrome P450 2D6: selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) such as fluoxetine (Prozac) and paroxetine (Paxil). Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) such as venlafaxine (Effexor) may also inhibit the metabolism of Ritalin.
Phentermine and Ritalin Dosage
The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients.
Follow your doctor’s orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to.
Phentermine Dosage
The amount of phentermine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine.
Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.
To treat obesity:
- Adults and children 17 years of age and older can use a phentermine capsule, 30 milligrams (mg) once a day, taken approximately 2 hours after breakfast
- Phentermine use is not recommended for children 16 years of age and younger
Ritalin Dosage
The recommended Ritalin dosage for children with ADHD is 10 mg once daily after breakfast or lunch.
- For those who weigh less than 77 pounds (35 kilograms), the dosage can be decreased to 2.5 milligrams (mg) daily
- For those who weigh between 77 and 113 pounds (35-51 kg), the dosage may be increased to 20 milligrams
Also read: Adderall vs Phentermine: Which works better?
Side Effects of Phentermine vs Ritalin
While Phentermine and Ritalin have their own unique set of side effects, they share some of them.
These include:
- Nausea
- Headaches
- Insomnia
- Constipation
- Fatigue
- Dry mouth
- Decreased appetite
- Irritation, and restlessness
Ritalin has fewer side effects than Phentermine but may still cause problems such as insomnia or decreased appetite.
However, the severity of these side effects depends on how much you take and your body’s metabolism.
Some people may experience more severe side effects with one than another. Others may not experience any at all.
It’s important to talk with your doctor about which drug would be right for you based on your previous medical history and current symptoms. Your doctor can determine if it would be safe for them to prescribe one over another without causing any problems.
Ritalin vs.Phentermine Alternatives & Substitutes
Choosing a weight loss solution can be confusing and overwhelming. Ritalin and Phentermine are two common options for weight loss, but both have serious side effects that may not fit into your lifestyle or diet.
Ritalin is a non-prescription drug used as a treatment for ADHD and narcolepsy.
It helps people focus by increasing the amount of dopamine in their brain, which boosts their energy levels and reduces fatigue.
While this may seem like it would make it an excellent tool for weight loss, there are some downsides: it can cause drug abuse if misused, and any weight you lose will come back when you stop taking Ritalin.
On the other hand, Phentermine looks like the savior, but it has its limitations.
Phentermine is a good drug for weight loss when combined with exercise and lifestyle changes, but you’ll need a prescription. You also have to be under strict doctor care, which might not fit into your daily lifestyle.
If you are searching for Ritalin and Phentermine alternatives, you may find a suitable alternative in PhenQ. It is an all-natural supplement that helps with weight loss without the side effects of Ritalin or Phentermine.
PhenQ is an all-natural supplement. It helps burn fat faster while suppressing your appetite PhenQ also helps boost your metabolism, burning more calories throughout the day.
FAQs
What’s the difference between Phentermine and Ritalin
Phentermine is a stimulant used to help weight loss.
And it works by increasing the amount of noradrenaline and serotonin in your body, leading to elevated dopamine levels. Ritalin is a stimulant used to treat ADHD. It works by increasing the amount of dopamine in your brain, which helps you focus better.
The primary difference between Phentermine and Ritalin is their intended use. Phentermine is prescribed for weight loss, while Ritalin is prescribed for ADHD treatment. However, both drugs are sometimes abused by people who want to lose weight or improve their concentration levels.
Can I take Phentermine and Ritalin together?
You should not mix Phentermine with Ritalin. These two medications work on different neurotransmitters in the brain, which means they could interact negatively with each other if taken together.
Taking phentermine and Ritalin will increase the risk for side effects like high blood pressure or rapid heart rate. If you take phentermine for weight loss, you should talk to your doctor before taking any other medications or supplements.