Path: utzoo!attcan!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!mailrus!tut.cis.ohio-state.edu!gem.mps.ohio-state.edu!usc!ucla-cs!dyer@ursa-major.SPDCC.COM
From: dyer@ursa-major.SPDCC.COM
Newsgroups: sci.med.aids
Subject: Re: Ritalin, AIDS Fatigue, and Helper T Counts.
Message-ID: <27813@shemp.CS.UCLA.EDU>
Date: 6 Oct 89 07:38:05 GMT
References: <27802@shemp.CS.UCLA.EDU>
Sender: news@CS.UCLA.EDU
Reply-To: dyer@ursa-major.spdcc.COM (Steve Dyer)
Organization: S.P. Dyer Computer Consulting, Cambridge MA
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Approved: aids@cs.ucla.edu
Archive-number: 1320

Methylphenidate (Ritalin) is an amphetamine-like drug, and is placed in the
DEA's Schedule II along with the amphetamines.  Strictly speaking, there
is nothing preventing a physician from prescribing Ritalin for AIDS-related
fatigue, but the paperwork and paranoia which surround most C-II prescriptions
might very well cause her to be less than enthusiastic to try it.  There is
also the legitimate concern that such a stimulant might aggravate the anorexia
which often accompanies AIDS.  Ritalin suppresses appetite somewhat less than
amphetamine or methamphetamine, but it may be enough to cause problems in
people with AIDS who are already losing weight.  Finally, this class of drugs
frequently encourages increasing the dose, as some degree of tolerance kicks
in.  You have to be a little careful with that.

An alternative drug which may be useful in combatting AIDS-related fatigue is
pemoline (Cylert).  It is an amphetamine-like drug which like Ritalin is used
in attention-deficit disorder (was: "hyperactivity").  It is also a controlled
substance, but is in Schedule IV, indicating low abuse potential, at least
relative to those in Schedules II and III.  Unlike those in C-II, C-IV drugs
can be prescribed over the phone and can be refilled up to five times in six
months.  Thus, it may be more convenient for both the doctor and patient.
In addition, unlike Ritalin, it has a long half-life, requiring only once-a-
day administration.
---
Steve Dyer
dyer@ursa-major.spdcc.com aka {ima,harvard,rayssd,linus,m2c}!spdcc!dyer
dyer@arktouros.mit.edu, dyer@hstbme.mit.edu