Ritalin vs concerta for learning | ADHD Information

Unfortunately the patch is not available in Australia and the way my specialist is talking it will be some time off!  He is also dubious about the effectiveness due to the hot / humid conditions of where we live.  He is one of the leading specialists in ADD and learning disorders so when trialling happens our son will be one of the first to try it.  There has been alot of interesting research into autism and the health of the intestinal tract - fasinating!!!! Anyway I'm not happy with upping his concerta/ritalin  intake greatly - at one stage he was on over 100 mg.  At only 25 kg (he was 12 at the time) the dose was far too high with regards to  side effects.  It seemed he was having tablets with a side of food! 

The new plan  - Ritalin for every 2-3 hours finding optimum learning dose. Still staying with the Zoloft. Yippee!!!!  I'm glad I've taken him out of school because it would not be possible!!  Also I'm really thinking again about increasing his supplements -  his increased anxiety and poor concentration / confusion may indicate magnesium/calcium deficiencies.  Also we'll increase his omega 3.  We have to find an answer because he specialist wants to change his antidepressant to effexor - a little nasty I feel !!!!  Anyway the saga continues!!!

Have you tried Adderall XR? Is that available down under? As for Effexor I know a number of adults who take it and it seems to have fewer side-effects compared to most other anti-d meds.

You're doing all of the rights things for your son and I have no doubt that you will get the optimal solution figured out.

Best of luck to you.

MaxDad

Maybe someone can help!

We have tried many medications but have gone back to old faithful - Ritalin Quick Release.  We find this lasts for about 3 hours maximum.  We find we don't get the same learning ability with Concerta-

Now this is where I need advice - As our 13 year has become too anxious at school, I decided to homeschool him -  Following a set curriculum distant ed plan, it took him 6 hours (with breaks) to complete a 1 hour test.  His working memory was hopeless and absolutely non-existent.  This was on just concerta.  So we think learning is best with QR ritalin.  It was like he had no comprehension of how to do the most basic things eg 31 divide by 6.  We had to go back to markers and circles!!!! Has anyone got any thoughts on these meds?

We live in Australia on the tropic of capricorn - asked about the patch and told that he wasn't sure of if and when it would be in Australia and if he thought that it would not be suitable in a warm/hot climate - Thought this might be our answer.

Thanks Max Dad,

We have been medicating our son for the past 7 years and have tried to find the right meds and dose through med testing.  What we have found is that because of the delivery system of concerta - ie having to be absorbed further done in the intestinal tract, the absorbtion rate is far less and therefore less effective.  There has always been a question mark on his lower intestinal tract and how effective it is - he has a number of food sensitivities.   He is very sensitive to different meds and we have had some shocking side effects which I am sure many people on this forum has also experienced.  We are really wanting to get away from the ever 3 hour tablet routine as he is very aware of his problems.  Our son is super sensitive to even the slightest tablet increase so it is a very fine line.  Of course, if we increase the tablets we also have an increase in the negative side effects eg dry mouth, shocking rebound, sleep disturbance and dopey feeling etc etc etc!.   He is also on Zoloft so the interaction could be causing issues as well.  Everything has been fine until he was 11 and since then we haven't been able to find the right combination and/or titration of meds.  It amazing because our daughter was put on 54mg concerta 5 years ago and has had no issues!!!  Her learning has only gone from strength to strength (now A+ standard).  The other factor is that of hormones.  These could be greatly effecting the effectiveness of the meds!  So you can see why I'm stressed!!!

HappyRock

ADD meds are dose dependant meaning that different dose levels should be tested to determine when an adequate benefit is achieved. I'm wondering if your doctor has tried this with you or even is aware of this. It could very well be that the dose amount is inadequate for your son which would explain the lack of progess with his symptoms.

MaxDad
Happy

I've not read anything in the research about interactions with Zoloft. Based on your observation the way he absorbs sounds like the issue.

Have you considered the Daytrana patch? I've read a number of posts from parents that say it's been very effective -- however some indicate that the skin where the patch is applied can become sensitive.

Basically it's a patch that is placed on the child once per day and the med is  released  slowly over the course of the day. Do a keyword search on this board and you should find a variety of additional information.

MaxDad
Hello Happyrock,  how about asking your childs doctor of you can dose him with the quick acting ritalin combined with concerta,  my son is currently on this regime and it has worked well for him.  Also, we find that we sometimes have to  to adjust his med doses ( with the direction of the doctor) when he has growth spurts.  hope this helps.My daughter is on concerta. I find it helps her attend. It is my understanding that concerta helps with attention and not necessarily memory. Perhaps you son has a problem with auditory or visual memory. If so, he needs help with that educationally and drug therapy may not address it. I have worked with children with problems in speech and language ( I am a speech pathologist) and often, children were given various ADD drugs to help them get better grades. If it is an attention problem then the drugs work, if it is something else, then the drugs have no effect at all. Just an observation on my part, you know your child the best.

Ritalin and concerta seem to work best for the younger children.  Have you access and/or tried dexedrine spansules?  They are tiny gel capsules that are extended release and I find that they work marvelous on focus and especially memory which you mention is a problem.  My retention went from a bare 50 percent to nearly 100 percent in a short time.  The side effects are mild and went away in 3 months.

I too have trouble with my stomach and intestines (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) and with an additional dose of dicetel which is cheap and very safe I have no trouble with taking my meds daily.

Just a thought for your consideration.  I hope you find what helps I remember being a 13 year old and the ADHD didn't make things very enjoyable then.