Compare Provigil vs Ritalin

Compare Provigil

vs Ritalin

Compare Provigil to Ritalin. To make a decision about Provigil vs Ritalin, click here for a Medication Risk Map to help you select Provigil or Ritalin

Click here for Drug Interactions and Side Effects of Provigil.
Click here for Drug Interactions and Side Effects of Ritalin.
Click here to see the effects of combining Provigil and Ritalin.

Uses of Provigil

Provigil is also known by the generic name Modafinil

USES:
Modafinil decreases extreme sleepiness due to narcolepsy and other sleep disorders such as difficult/irregular breathing during sleep (e.g., obstructive sleep apnea/hypopnea syndrome-OSAHS). It is also used to help you stay awake during work hours for people with work schedules that interfere with a normal sleep routine (shift work sleep disorder-SWSD).

It is not known how modafinil works to increase wakefulness. It is thought to work by affecting certain chemicals in the brain that control the sleep/wake cycle. Modafinil does not make up for lack of sleep and should not be used to treat tiredness or hold off sleep in people who do not have a sleep disorder.

This medication is not recommended for use in children.

Uses of Ritalin

Ritalin is also known by the generic name Methylphenidate

USES:
Methylphenidate is used to treat attention disorders (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD) as part of a total treatment plan including psychological, educational and social measures. This medication is also used to treat patients with narcolepsy (a disorder of sleep regulation). When this medication is used to treat ADHD, patients may find they have increased attention, decreased impulsiveness, and decreased hyperactivity (see also Notes section). This medication is a mild stimulant that works by affecting the levels of chemicals (neurotransmitters) in the nervous system.

This medication should not be used to treat simple fatigue symptoms.

Provigil and Ritalin Have 15 Life Threatening (Major) Side Effects in Common

Critical Seriousness - Abnormal Liver Function Tests - Abnormal Hepatic Function Tests is a Life Threatening Side Effect of both Provigil and Ritalin.

Critical Seriousness - Life Threatening Allergic Reaction - Anaphylaxis is a Life Threatening Side Effect of both Provigil and Ritalin.

Critical Seriousness - Decreased White Blood Cells - Leukopenia is a Life Threatening Side Effect of both Provigil and Ritalin.

Critical Seriousness - Decreased Blood Platelets - Thrombocytopenic Disorder is a Life Threatening Side Effect of both Provigil and Ritalin.

Critical Seriousness - Abnormal Heart Rhythm - Conduction Disorder of the Heart is a Life Threatening Side Effect of both Provigil and Ritalin.

Critical Seriousness - Problems with Eyesight - Visual Changes is a Life Threatening Side Effect of both Provigil and Ritalin.

Critical Seriousness - High Blood Pressure - Hypertension is a Life Threatening Side Effect of both Provigil and Ritalin.

Critical Seriousness - Fever is a Life Threatening Side Effect of both Provigil and Ritalin.

Critical Seriousness - Giant Hives - Angioedema is a Life Threatening Side Effect of both Provigil and Ritalin.

Critical Seriousness - Mood Changes is a Life Threatening Side Effect of both Provigil and Ritalin.

Critical Seriousness - Hives - Urticaria is a Life Threatening Side Effect of both Provigil and Ritalin.

Critical Seriousness - Fast Heartbeat - Tachyarrhythmia is a Life Threatening Side Effect of both Provigil and Ritalin.

Critical Seriousness - Chest Pain is a Life Threatening Side Effect of both Provigil and Ritalin.

Critical Seriousness - Voluntary Movement Difficulty - Dyskinesia is a Life Threatening Side Effect of both Provigil and Ritalin.

Critical Seriousness - Rash - Skin Rash is a Life Threatening Side Effect of both Provigil and Ritalin.

Click for a searchable interactive map of all Life Threatening Side Effects associated with Provigil and Ritalin.

Provigil Has 26 Life Threatening (Major) Side Effects Not Found in Ritalin

Critical Seriousness - Mental Disturbance - Psychiatric Disturbance is a Life Threatening Side Effect of Provigil but not Ritalin.

Critical Seriousness - Throat Irritation - Pharyngitis is a Life Threatening Side Effect of Provigil but not Ritalin.

Critical Seriousness - Bloody Urine - Hematuria is a Life Threatening Side Effect of Provigil but not Ritalin.

Critical Seriousness - Stevens-Johnson Syndrome is a Life Threatening Side Effect of Provigil but not Ritalin.

Critical Seriousness - Chills is a Life Threatening Side Effect of Provigil but not Ritalin.

Critical Seriousness - Trouble Breathing - Dyspnea is a Life Threatening Side Effect of Provigil but not Ritalin.

Critical Seriousness - Cannot Empty Bladder - Urinary Retention is a Life Threatening Side Effect of Provigil but not Ritalin.

Critical Seriousness - Confused - Impaired Cognition is a Life Threatening Side Effect of Provigil but not Ritalin.

Critical Seriousness - Depression is a Life Threatening Side Effect of Provigil but not Ritalin.

Critical Seriousness - Abnormal Peeling of Skin - Abnormal Desquamation is a Life Threatening Side Effect of Provigil but not Ritalin.

Critical Seriousness - Loss of Memory - Memory Impairment is a Life Threatening Side Effect of Provigil but not Ritalin.

Critical Seriousness - Abnormally Low Blood Pressure - Hypotension is a Life Threatening Side Effect of Provigil but not Ritalin.

Critical Seriousness - Inflammation of the Middle Tissue Heart Muscle - Myocarditis is a Life Threatening Side Effect of Provigil but not Ritalin.

Critical Seriousness - High Blood Sugar - Hyperglycemia is a Life Threatening Side Effect of Provigil but not Ritalin.

Critical Seriousness - Deficiency of Granulocytes a Type of White Blood Cell - Agranulocytosis is a Life Threatening Side Effect of Provigil but not Ritalin.

Critical Seriousness - Behaving with Excessive Cheerfulness and Activity - Manic Disorder is a Life Threatening Side Effect of Provigil but not Ritalin.

Critical Seriousness - Painful, Red or Swollen Mouth - Stomatitis is a Life Threatening Side Effect of Provigil but not Ritalin.

Critical Seriousness - Hepatitis is a Life Threatening Side Effect of Provigil but not Ritalin.

Critical Seriousness - Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis is a Life Threatening Side Effect of Provigil but not Ritalin.

Critical Seriousness - Asthma - Bronchial Asthma is a Life Threatening Side Effect of Provigil but not Ritalin.

Critical Seriousness - Lazy Eye - Amblyopia is a Life Threatening Side Effect of Provigil but not Ritalin.

Critical Seriousness - Visible Water Retention - Edema is a Life Threatening Side Effect of Provigil but not Ritalin.

Critical Seriousness - Increased Eosinophils in the Blood - Eosinophilia is a Life Threatening Side Effect of Provigil but not Ritalin.

Critical Seriousness - Having Thoughts of Suicide - Suicidal Ideation is a Life Threatening Side Effect of Provigil but not Ritalin.

Critical Seriousness - Hyperactive Behavior - Hyperkinesis is a Life Threatening Side Effect of Provigil but not Ritalin.

Critical Seriousness - Small Skin Blister - Blistering Skin is a Life Threatening Side Effect of Provigil but not Ritalin.

Click for a searchable interactive map of all Life Threatening Side Effects associated with Provigil and Ritalin.

Ritalin Has 23 Life Threatening (Major) Side Effects Not Found in Provigil

Critical Seriousness - Anemia is a Life Threatening Side Effect of Provigil but not Ritalin.

Critical Seriousness - Hallucination - Hallucinations is a Life Threatening Side Effect of Provigil but not Ritalin.

Critical Seriousness - Blurred Vision is a Life Threatening Side Effect of Provigil but not Ritalin.

Critical Seriousness - Heart Attack - Myocardial Infarction is a Life Threatening Side Effect of Provigil but not Ritalin.

Critical Seriousness - Mental Disorder with Loss of Normal Personality & Reality - Psychotic Disorder is a Life Threatening Side Effect of Provigil but not Ritalin.

Critical Seriousness - Feeling Restless - Feeling Agitated is a Life Threatening Side Effect of Provigil but not Ritalin.

Critical Seriousness - Inflammation of Skin caused by an Allergy - Allergic Dermatitis is a Life Threatening Side Effect of Provigil but not Ritalin.

Critical Seriousness - Seizures - Seizure Disorder is a Life Threatening Side Effect of Provigil but not Ritalin.

Critical Seriousness - Inflammation of Blood Vessels that Carry Blood in the Brain - Cerebral Vasculitis is a Life Threatening Side Effect of Provigil but not Ritalin.

Critical Seriousness - Joint Pain - Arthralgia is a Life Threatening Side Effect of Provigil but not Ritalin.

Critical Seriousness - Fit - Tonic Clonic Seizure is a Life Threatening Side Effect of Provigil but not Ritalin.

Critical Seriousness - Involuntary Quivering - Tremors is a Life Threatening Side Effect of Provigil but not Ritalin.

Critical Seriousness - Failure to Grow - Growth Failure is a Life Threatening Side Effect of Provigil but not Ritalin.

Critical Seriousness - Mental Disorder Resulting from Poisonous Agents - Toxic Psychosis is a Life Threatening Side Effect of Provigil but not Ritalin.

Critical Seriousness - Chronic Muscle Twitches or Movements - Motor Tic Disorder is a Life Threatening Side Effect of Provigil but not Ritalin.

Critical Seriousness - Stroke - Cerebrovascular Accident is a Life Threatening Side Effect of Provigil but not Ritalin.

Critical Seriousness - Occasional Numbness, Prickling, or Tingling of Fingers and Toes - Raynaud's Phenomenon is a Life Threatening Side Effect of Provigil but not Ritalin.

Critical Seriousness - Skin Rash with Sloughing - Exfoliative Dermatitis is a Life Threatening Side Effect of Provigil but not Ritalin.

Critical Seriousness - Reaction due to an Allergy - Allergic Reactions is a Life Threatening Side Effect of Provigil but not Ritalin.

Critical Seriousness - Angina is a Life Threatening Side Effect of Provigil but not Ritalin.

Critical Seriousness - Hemorrhage in the Brain - Cerebrovascular Hemorrhage is a Life Threatening Side Effect of Provigil but not Ritalin.

Critical Seriousness - Sinus Irritation and Congestion - Sinusitis is a Life Threatening Side Effect of Provigil but not Ritalin.

Critical Seriousness - Worsening Symptoms of Tourette's Syndrome - Exacerbation of Gilles de la Tourette's Syndrome is a Life Threatening Side Effect of Provigil but not Ritalin.

Click for a searchable interactive map of all Life Threatening Side Effects associated with Provigil and Ritalin.

Provigil and Ritalin Have 4 Most Frequently Occurring Side Effects in Common

Head Pain - Headache Disorder is a Frequently Occurring Side Effect of both Provigil and Ritalin.

Feel Like Throwing Up - Nausea is a Frequently Occurring Side Effect of both Provigil and Ritalin.

Chronic Trouble Sleeping - Insomnia is a Frequently Occurring Side Effect of both Provigil and Ritalin.

Nervous - Nervousness is a Frequently Occurring Side Effect of both Provigil and Ritalin.

Click for a searchable interactive map of all Side Effects associated with Provigil and Ritalin.

Provigil Has 6 Most Frequently Occurring Side Effects Not Found in Ritalin

Backache - Back Pain is a Frequently Occurring Side Effect of Provigil but not Ritalin.

Dizzy - Dizziness is a Frequently Occurring Side Effect of Provigil but not Ritalin.

Anxious - Anxiety is a Frequently Occurring Side Effect of Provigil but not Ritalin.

Diarrhea is a Frequently Occurring Side Effect of Provigil but not Ritalin.

Inflammation of the Nose - Rhinitis is a Frequently Occurring Side Effect of Provigil but not Ritalin.

Indigestion - Dyspepsia is a Frequently Occurring Side Effect of Provigil but not Ritalin.

Click for a searchable interactive map of all Side Effects associated with Provigil and Ritalin.

Ritalin Has 6 Most Frequently Occurring Side Effects Not Found in Ritalin

Over Excitement - Excitement is a Frequently Occurring Side Effect of Ritalin but not Provigil.

Loss of Appetite - Anorexia is a Frequently Occurring Side Effect of Ritalin but not Provigil.

Upper Abdominal Pain is a Frequently Occurring Side Effect of Ritalin but not Provigil.

High Blood Pressure - Hypertension is a Frequently Occurring Side Effect of Ritalin but not Provigil.

Dry Mouth - Xerostomia is a Frequently Occurring Side Effect of Ritalin but not Provigil.

Fast Heartbeat - Tachyarrhythmia is a Frequently Occurring Side Effect of Ritalin but not Provigil.

Click for a searchable interactive map of all Side Effects associated with Provigil and Ritalin.

Provigil and Ritalin Treat 6 Conditions in Common

Recurring Sleep Episodes During the Day - Narcolepsy Syndrome is treated by both Provigil and Ritalin.

Provigil has 14 Condition Contraindications

If you have any of these Conditions then you should carefully evaluate the risks of taking Provigil.

Provigil Oral Contraindications
(grouped by decreasing seriousness level)

Relative Contraindications

Alcoholism - Habit of Drinking Too Much Alcohol is a contraindication of Provigil.

Depression is a contraindication of Provigil.

Left Ventricular Hypertrophy is a contraindication of Provigil.

Manic Disorder - Behaving with Excessive Cheerfulness and Activity is a contraindication of Provigil.

Mitral Valve Prolapse - Mitral Valve Prolapse Syndrome is a contraindication of Provigil.

Myocardial Infarction - Heart Attack is a contraindication of Provigil.

Myocardial Ischemia - Disease of Inadequate Blood Flow to the Heart Muscle is a contraindication of Provigil.

Psychotic Disorder - Mental Disorder with Loss of Normal Personality & Reality is a contraindication of Provigil.

Severe Hepatic Disease - Severe Liver Disease is a contraindication of Provigil.

Suicidal Ideation - Having Thoughts of Suicide is a contraindication of Provigil.

Unstable Angina Pectoris - Unpredictable Severe Constricting Chest Pain is a contraindication of Provigil.

Contraindication Warnings

Aggressive Behavior is a contraindication of Provigil.

Hypertension - High Blood Pressure is a contraindication of Provigil.

Severe Renal Disease - Serious Kidney Problems is a contraindication of Provigil.

Ritalin has 33 Condition Contraindications

If you have any of these Conditions then you should carefully evaluate the risks of taking Ritalin.

Ritalin Oral Contraindications
(grouped by decreasing seriouosness level)

Absolute Contraindications

Angina is a contraindication of Ritalin.

Cardiomyopathy - Disease of the Muscle of the Heart with Enlargement is a contraindication of Ritalin.

Chronic Heart Failure is a contraindication of Ritalin.

Conduction Disorder of the Heart - Abnormal Heart Rhythm is a contraindication of Ritalin.

Coronary Artery Disease - Disease of the Arteries of the Heart is a contraindication of Ritalin.

Feeling Agitated - Feeling Restless is a contraindication of Ritalin.

Gilles De La Tourette Syndrome - Tourette's is a contraindication of Ritalin.

Glaucoma - Increased Pressure in Eyes is a contraindication of Ritalin.

Hyperthyroidism - Overactive Thyroid Gland is a contraindication of Ritalin.

Lower Seizure Threshold is a contraindication of Ritalin.

Motor Tic Disorder - Chronic Muscle Twitches or Movements is a contraindication of Ritalin.

Recovery Phase Following Myocardial Infarct - Recent Heart Attack is a contraindication of Ritalin.

Severe Anxiety is a contraindication of Ritalin.

Severe Uncontrolled Hypertension - Severe Uncontrolled High Blood Pressure is a contraindication of Ritalin.

Structural Disorder of Heart is a contraindication of Ritalin.

Tension is a contraindication of Ritalin.

Thyrotoxicosis - Overactive Thyroid causing Life-Threatening Symptoms is a contraindication of Ritalin.

Uncontrolled Epilepsy is a contraindication of Ritalin.

Relative Contraindications

Alcoholism - Habit of Drinking Too Much Alcohol is a contraindication of Ritalin.

Bipolar Disorder - Manic-Depression is a contraindication of Ritalin.

Cerebrovascular Accident - Stroke is a contraindication of Ritalin.

Drug Dependence - Taking Habit Forming Drugs is a contraindication of Ritalin.

Epilepsy - Epileptic Seizure is a contraindication of Ritalin.

Hypertension - High Blood Pressure is a contraindication of Ritalin.

Manic Disorder - Behaving with Excessive Cheerfulness and Activity is a contraindication of Ritalin.

Psychotic Disorder - Mental Disorder with Loss of Normal Personality & Reality is a contraindication of Ritalin.

Seizure Disorder - Seizures is a contraindication of Ritalin.

Sinus Tachycardia is a contraindication of Ritalin.

Contraindication Warnings

Abnormal Hepatic Function Tests - Abnormal Liver Function Tests is a contraindication of Ritalin.

Aggressive Behavior is a contraindication of Ritalin.

Anemia is a contraindication of Ritalin.

Blurred Vision is a contraindication of Ritalin.

Leukopenia - Decreased White Blood Cells is a contraindication of Ritalin.

Provigil - Symptoms of overdose may include
If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. US residents can call the US national poison hotline at 1-800-222-1222. Canadian residents should call their local poison control center directly. Symptoms of overdose include fast/irregular heartbeat, restlessness, hallucinations.

Ritalin - Symptoms of overdose may include
confusion, agitation, sweating, flushing, wide pupils, persistent tremor, muscle twitching, hallucinations, severe headache, severe vomiting, seizures, loss of consciousness.

Contact poison control
If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. US residents can call the US national poison hotline at 1-800-222-1222. Canadian residents should call their local poison control center directly.