Metadate CD vs. Ritalin LA | ADHD Information

They are actually the same drug with different release mechanisms. It is trial and error I guess to see which works better in your situation.Focalin is dosed at half the rate of methylphenidate, so a higher dose may be needed.we used Ritalin LA, but never metadate. Ritalin La took quite a bit of time to start working and she did rebound after about 10 hours. Not aggressive, but very, very silly. IT is a 10 hour med not 8 (supposedly) and we did see it prettty much exactly 10 hours. While it was working we really liked it for her ADHD symptoms, we stopped due to increased tics.

[QUOTE=Diane V]Ritalin La took quite a bit of time to start working[/QUOTE]

Diane, are you saying that it took a couple of weeks (or whatever timeframe) to start seeing benefits, or are you saying that it took awhile each morning before it kicked in?  For either, do you remember about how long it took? 

Oh I am sorry, no,  we saw effects day 1. It took well over an hour in the mornings to kick in. For a while I had to use a 5 mg to tide her over, that didnt work, then I would wake her up at 5:00 ( have to be up for work anyway) and give it to her then so when she got up it'd be starting to "kick in". I think you use Guanfacine though, am I correct? If so you would probably be ok, we werent using any kind of 24 hour med with it at first.  I found it much easier on her than Concerta, Concerta was rough for us. She only took regular Focalin no the XR and that was VERY rough on her. Diane V39270.2351041667

My child's been on Focalin XR for a year now, but it's time to switch.  It's been way too long that he's gotten too mellow for a couple of hours in the morning.  He's also had heightened anxiety issues in the past couple of months.  So, I'm comparing Metadate CD and Ritalin LA to try to figure out which one might be the best fit for him.  Obviously I'll see what the dr. recommends at our appointment in a couple of weeks, but I'd like to go to the appointment well informed.  I should add that he also takes 1 mg guanfacine AM and 1 mg guanfacine PM.

I think my child needs a medicine that releases more evenly than Focalin XR.  At least, that's why I'm guessing he was getting too mellow in the late morning.  The "flat" period coincides with the peak concentrations (I found this info. online in the medication guide).  Metadate CD seems to release very evenly; certainly much more evenly than Focalin XR and more evenly than Ritalin LA.  That's a plus for Metadate CD.

I noticed a couple of other things when comparing data in the medication guides.  Ritalin LA has its highest peak very late in the day (around 7-1/2 hours after taking it).  I'm wondering if anyone has seen more appetite suppression issues with Ritalin LA than with Metadate CD or Focalin XR?  That would be another plus for Metadate CD.

BUT Ritalin LA levels are higher later in the day than Metadate CD's levels late in the day.  I've seen info. that they both last about eight hours, but I'm wondering if Ritalin LA actually works for a bit longer than Metadate CD.  Does anyone have any experience to compare these?

I know everyone's experience with the various drugs is individualized, and everyone can be different.  However, there seem to be some patterns, so I'd appreciate hearing anything that anyone knows about Metadate CD and Ritalin LA.  Thanks!

Diane V,

Did you end up finding a long-acting or extended release that fit well?  We are sticking with the 18mg Concerta for now, although I think he is getting too much of a dose in the afternoon.  The initial a.m. is perfect, but as the day goes on, he gets more agitated until the late afternoon, early evening when you see him coming down off the drug.  Too bad they do not have a lower dosage.

Our dr. suggested if he cannot tolerate the 18 mg concerta, we might be able to find a 6-8 hour drug that we can dose 2 x/day.  He metabolizes everything on the fast end (i.e. 5 mg of short-acting is in and out in 3 hours).

Any thoughts?

How about Ritalin SR. That is an 8 hour (for most). Maybe he could do that twice a day.

 

We ended going off stimulants altogether, the side effects were too bad for her .

lostship we did the same tried concerta instead of using Ritalin LA with a short acting. It wasnt good for us either.

We have been taking Ritalin LA for the past several weeks.  I agree that it takes about an hour to kick in--It works if I give it to him in bed and then by the time he is up, it is working.  My son metabolizes the drugs quickly, so we hit a marked, yet relatively short valley 3 1/2 hours later.  Then after 7 1/2-8 hours after initial dose, he gets a short-acting to cover late afternoon/evening.

On a side note, we are trying on the Concerta--so far, not liking it--seeing behaviors which were extinguished 2 years ago pre-med--UGHH!!!