Stories of an ADD Adult

About 45 minutes ago, I took some cold medicine to help with my stuffy nose and sinuses. It was just over-the-counter medicine: Target brand “Non-Drying Sinus”, which is the generic equivalent of Sudafed Non-Drying Sinus.

I noticed that it actually did help with my concentration a little. I was able to write a couple of posts without too much distraction (though I did get distracted here and there).

Looking on the back of the package, the active ingredients in each liquid cap are:

• Guaifenesin 200 mg
• Pseudoephedrine HCl 30 mg

Aha, so the pseudoephedrine is what’s helping me concentrate. It’s a mild stimulant, I believe, and it’s in cold medicine because it dries out the sinuses. The guaifenesin is supposed to be what makes the congestion more fluid and liquid, like the effect when you eat spicy foods or chicken soup.

I took 2 capsules as recommended on the back of the box, so I’m on a normal dose. I am somewhat surprised that it improved my concentration, seeing as from my entry a little while ago, I didn’t think anything could help me concentrate because I am feeling so sick.

The sinus medicine also contains FD&C blue #1 granular, which annoys me because I have tried so hard to stay away from all artificial colors in my diet. I guess that the stimulant effect overpowers the artificial coloring effect.

I will keep track of when the effect goes away and post it here, if I can remember to post.

I am starting to see ads all over the web about buying Ritalin online. Sometimes I even see those ads here!

It really confuses me. I didn’t think you could buy Ritalin without a prescription. Is it not highly controlled and regulated?

I do wish that Ritalin was a normal, over-the-counter medication. I wish it was potent enough to help people with ADD and ADHD, but not so potent that kids could consume it in large quantities to get high. Having it available over the counter without a prescription would probably reduce the stigma of using it.

After all, cough syrup can be bought without a prescription, and it is abusable, but buying it at the pharmacy does not raise any eyebrows.