Risperdal is used for mood issues in bipolar and autism, etc.:
I would take it slow and make only one change at a time. If he has never slept well (I am sorry, I do not remember), I would discuss with the doctor adding a second dose of concerta (lower dose though) just befor the first wears off. Some people actually sleep better on meds (if they cannot calm thier minds for sleep like my daughter). Trying this might make for a really bad night or the start of better sleep. This would keep things to one med (however posibly 2 different doses), but would not work if your son does not eat at all on meds.
Sleep problems can be due to the med itself, the period where the med is wearing off (kind of a rebound or transition thing), or just the person having problems with the symptoms once they are not being controlled by the med. If you think the meds are causing the sleep disturbance, and you think the problems are lack of sleep, I would look at either the risperdal or guanfacine to help with sleep. Either of these can be taken to be in the system 24/7 and might ease coming off of the concerta as well. My personal preference would be the one with the least side affects that the doctor has the most experience prescribing.
I hope this is of some help. Good luck with this.
vickie39041.8442361111My ds has been diag. with ADHD and we are going through the trial and error thing with the meds. So far we still haven't found the right thing for him but are a little closer. Today I talked to his pediatrician about his current med. which is Concerta 36mg. and how it seem to be working better than anything else that we have tried but at night he has trouble going to sleep and has become a bit cocky and defiant. I am not sure if it is from lack of sleep or what. She said that we could be looking at something else besides just simple ADHD. Possibily ODD with ADHD and suggested we keep him on the current dose of Concerta and add something else in mid afternoon or at lunch and also add Risperdal for the sleep and aggression/irrability. Does anyone have any thoughts on this. (Maybe Vickie if your out there you could give your 2 cents on this one) Thanks guys!!!!