Ritalin Concentration Calculator

A Python application that visualizes the concentration curves of different Ritalin (Methylphenidate) dosing schedules over a 24-hour period. The application models both Long-Acting (LA) and Immediate Release (IR) formulations, including residual effects from the previous day.

Written to help me with getting my dose timings correct over the course of a day, and making sure I'm not getting points where the ritalin reaches too high a level for me.

This is not meant as medical advice, and this is a personal project only.

Features

• Interactive GUI for adjusting doses and timing
• Two different dosing schedules:
  1. LA + IR Combination: Two LA doses with optional evening IR
  2. IR Only: Four IR doses throughout the day
• Real-time graph updates
• Automatic saving of last used settings
• Visualization of:
  • Individual dose contributions
  • Total concentration curves
  • Dosing time markers
• Residual effects from previous day included

example output

This was to graph how I'd take 2xLA, and end up with a similar profile to 4x20mg (+1 10mg float) ritalin a day 4x20mg (+1 10mg float), what I was on before

Installation

1. Create a virtual environment:

# Windows
python -m venv venv
venv\Scripts\activate

# macOS/Linux
python3 -m venv venv
source venv/bin/activate

2. Install requirements:

pip install -r requirements.txt

Usage

1. Run the application:

python ritalin_ui.py

2. Use the interface to:
   • Switch between LA+IR and IR-only tabs
   • Adjust dosages (in mg)
   • Set dosing times (24-hour format)
   • Click "Update Graphs" to see changes
   • Close window to save settings

Dosing Schedules

LA + IR Combination

• Morning LA dose (default: 30mg at 8:00)
• Afternoon LA dose (default: 30mg at 16:00)
• Optional evening IR dose

IR Only

• Four customizable IR doses throughout the day
• Default times: 8:00, 13:00, 18:00, 23:00

Technical Details

• Uses a pharmacokinetic model combining absorption and elimination phases
• LA formulation modeled as biphasic release (50% immediate, 50% delayed)
• Includes half-life calculations
• Accounts for bioavailability and distribution

Files

• ritalin_ui.py: Main GUI application
• ritalin_concentration.py: Pharmacokinetic modeling
• requirements.txt: Python dependencies
• ritalin_settings.json: Saved user settings (auto-generated)

Dependencies

• numpy
• matplotlib
• scipy
• tkinter (usually comes with Python)

Notes

This is a simplified model and should not be used for medical purposes. Actual drug concentrations depend on many individual factors including metabolism, food intake, body mass, and other physiological factors.

License

MIT License