I am behind on reading my mail so Ruth DeRosa, forgive me if I repeat
something that's been said in a LactNet digest since Oct. 12.

There are two forms of Ritalin - regular and timed-release.  There is also an
alternate drug, Dexedrine, also available regular and timed-release capsules
(called "spansules").  From my reading (I have a child with ADD who takes
Dexedrine), I believe that the timed-release Ritalin really does last a long
time - it's recommended for children who can't take meds at school during the
day because it lasts the whole time.  My experience with the Dexedrine is
that the spansule lasts 5-6 hours, the tablet 3-4.

Again from my reading on ADD I would strongly recommend that this mother go
through the regimen of getting accustomed to the drug;  presumably she did
this when she took Ritalin before.  She may find that she can use a smaller
dosage than she thought;  she has to start with the smallest dose and work
upward to a therapeutic dose over several days, watching for side effects
such as jitteriness and headaches and insomnia.

Don't have my reference books here at home so can't speak to whether ANY
amount of Ritalin or Dexedrine is appropriate for nursing but I'm guessing
that a short-acting form, taken in the schedule you described, might work
okay.

Mary Renard, RN, BSN, IBCLC,
and most important credential for this post === MOM