Concerta and weight loss? | ADHD Information

vickie, I've noticed that as well. Focalin XR does not make me lose my appetite. However, it does help 'curb' it somewhat. I can still eat.. but eat less (which for me personally is a good thing since I really do need to lose weight) I could stand to try Concerta for that help actually 

Sorry to postjack.... I just wanted to chime in to say that what you said is true for me as well about Focalin XR not affecting weight as much.

My youngest lost 6 pounds the first month. Because this was 10% of her weight (then she weighed 58lbs dropping to 52lbs-and was 10 years old) the doc added guanfacine rather than increase the concerta to a more effective dose. The weight increased back to the original weight and stayed there for several months. We have since switched to focalin (keeping the guanfacine) and my youngest is steadily gaining weight (70lbs on the last check).

The doc said that focalin does not affect weight in as many people as methylphenidate meds does. This of course is very individual.

I personally haven't taken Concerta, but my Step Sister-in-Law was actually given Concerta to help her lose weight. She lost 40 pounds taking it. I can't say that it tapered off for her or not because she stopped taking it when she reached her weight loss goal.

From what I gather though.. different meds react differently to each person, so I would ask them to try another med and see if that helps control the weight loss... I've seen them use Tenex (Guanfacine) in Children to help that as well (Guanfacine will help you want to eat). I take a small dose of this for my Anxiety as needed.  If you are really small and can't afford to lose the weight which it sounds like you are or they wouldn't be worrying about monitoring you so closely... I'd really ask for something else.

Good luck and keep us updated!
Has anyone else experienced weight loss with concerta? If so, about how
much weight were you losing each week, and how long did it take before
it leveled off?

I'm only asking because I've been having a problem with a very rapid
weight loss.... I'm seeing the dr's for it, they've been checking me out and
running tests, they don't yet know exactly what's going on... they are
reluctant to say that it's from the medication, as it's more than they'd
typically see they said, and at the same time my bloodwork is ever so
slightly off... But they also don't yet want to say it's not the medication,
since it only started after I started the concerta.... their main strategy
right now is having me come in every week for a checkup and such, and
they want to wait and see another week or two if it keeps decreasing/
increases/stabilizes or whatever it's gonna do.... I'm just curious on if it is
from the medicine, can I expect to see it stabilizing and leveling out any
time soon?