behavior change with med change | ADHD Information

My son has been on Ritalin for some time now. When its in effect, it works fine. Our problem has been that by the time he gets home from school, the meds are done and he's a monster. He also started resisting taking it "again". So we tried Metadate CD, hoping he'd like only one dose in the morning and we would get more time out of it. Well, first, he hates taking the "sprinkles" (we open it and put it in pudding since he doesn't swallow pills.) I think it may be because we made it so clear he couldn't bite or chew that he's too concious of it. With the regular pill, if he bites it its no big deal. Anyway, he hates taking it and asks for the old one. Our biggest issue though is he was SO mean! We only used it for 2 days. Both he was just so mean, aggressive, defiant, swearing horribly, etc. Being that yesterday was a holiday, when he begged for the old one instead we gave him that. He was so much more pleasant! We did the same today. Has anyone else had this experience? We don't know if maybe its just an adjustment period or just the way it affects him. Ideal really would be just to keep the regular and maybe give a half dose after school. He doesn't even mind the extra doses right now since he hates the sprinkles. (Could just be the newness though). Does anyone do that? 3 doses seems like alot, but if he didn't complain anymore about the pills, it sure would solve alot. Of course if he starts fighting the doses again, we're back to square one. Any input? We feel a bit lost. Thanks!

I would use what works. If he hates the sprinkles and it affects his mood, dont use it.

Another thought is Daytrana, it is a patch not a pill and you put it on early in the morning (very early) and leave it on for 9 hours. the med works 1-1/2-3 hours after you take it off, so you get all day, and no pill.