Ritalin combined with antidepressants

[Jaco2016]

Hi all,

Was wondering if anyone has had luck with combining Ritalin with antidepressants for treating their depression. Reason I ask is because antidepressants seem to make me apathetic, lethargic and more depressed feeling and I have a hard time concentrating. I feel like Ritalin would help to give me some energy and focus/concentration

Thoughts?

Thanks!

[Regina48]

This is a good question for your physician. They would know what the interactions between the two drugs would be and if they could be beneficial to you.

[Katti703]

I've been on both antidepressants and Ritalin for over 11 years. I tried Lexapro for awhile and changed to Effexor, and have been on that for close to 10 years. (sorry that I can't remember why I changed). I was diagnosed for ADHD 11 years ago, and I take 10mg of Ritalin (NOT the ER type) first thing in the morning. If I don't take it within 1 hour after I get up, I will get super sleepy and have to go back to bed! This dose lasts about 6 hours. Then I take another 5 mg, which gets me through the rest of my day. I also spread my Effexor out so that I'm not taking large doses all at once (which will also put me back to sleep). I take a smaller dose in the am, noon and again at bedtime. This schedule seems to work well for me most days.

[kimber365]

Im on antidepressants and ritalin myself. But I have a diagnosis of bipolar depression and ADHD. Not sure if ritalin is prescribed for depression or not. Something your doctor would have to determine. Good luck.