Ritalin LA or Metadate CD | ADHD Information

Question about these 2 medications

DS was about a yr ago taking Metadate CD 40mg the Dr. changed it due to him not sleeping at night.  She moved him to Ritalin LA 10mg and Ritalin SR40 mg .. Well we just had to change it again by the way he is 11 yr old and weighs in about 90 lbs.  Yesterday we changed it to Ritalin LA 30mg.  I dont see this quite lasting as long as the Metadate CD 40mg or working as well as the Metadate.  Anyone been on either one and have ideas? 

Our Dr. the Pediatrician is the one doing the Prescribing and says she wil not raise the dose either.

 

Thanks Ava

 

Hi Ava,
I just responded to your other post and now found this one.  I havebeen  a bit confused about Novartis' statement of dosage equivalencies for Ritalin (short acting) and Ritalin LA.  Ds uses both.  A dose of 2 caps of Ritalin LA 30 provides him with the same response as doses of 15 mg Ritalin  (to be exact it is actually 16.25)  I wonder if there is some info on how Metadate doses and Ritalin LA doses compare ?

My ds sees a doctor that specializes in behavioral disorders.  If your pediatrician is a general pediatrician, I would look for one that specializes in ADHD.  They have a lot more expertise and experience in treatment.  If your doctor does specialize, then perhaps you might know and explain tome about equivalencies between Rit and Rit LA.  I understand it is not an exact equivalency but Novartis' site appears that way to me...and I can't remember my docotor's explanation of it.

jfla238800.3747453704Here's what I remember:

Ritalin LA is a 50/50 release mechanism ... 50% immediately, 50% about 4 hours later.

Metadate CD is a 30/70 release ... 30% immediately and 70% later.

At least that's how I understood it. Might explain why the Metadate CD seemed to last longer in the day.