My son took concerta for almost a year from age 9....it did help his focus, and staying on task issues, but I think it made him a bit more aggressive, and angry....he always had those tendencies, but on the concerta they were amplified. He is not hyperactive at all...never was..
He also had appetite/weight gain problems and slight sleep issues while on the concerta, after the periactin was added, the appetite/weight was somewhat better, but is much better on the ritalin LA than on the concerta.
thank you for your reply, my son has been on concerta for a while i posted this on behalf of a friend
Both of my kids did well on concerta. The oldest could not swallow so we moved to focalin which can be sprinkled. The youngest gained no weight in 8 months so we are seeing if focalin wil help there as well. She is now struggling at school again as we work out a new med regemin.I am taking 27 mg.-- I'm ADHD inattentive--but no effect. Tomorrow increasing to 36. From what I hear here it's a pretty good med...although I haven't had any effect so far I have more trust in this med than straterra and most short-acting meds. I've heard it has lower potential for abuse and if you need something long-acting 10-12 hrs. is the longest available right now.
My dd has been on Concerta for 3 mos and is doing very well. She is very small for her age 8 1/2 and 40 pounds... we are watching her weight very carefully... so far no ill effect.
She too has a problem swallowing the pill... I have to drop it into her mouth so she can quickly swallow it.
It has been night and day with her on Concerta.
Good luck