Starting Concerta at 54mg | ADHD Information

My doctor prescribed me 54mg tablets of Concerta and I began taking the medication yesterday. I was unsure about actually taking that high of a dose, considering that it is the highest and people usually start with 18mg. Yesterday I took it at around 3:30PM (which I found out was waaaay too late) and the entire day I felt extremely lethargic/sedated/depressed etc. My appetite has dramatically decreased and it seems more difficult to concentrate. I called my doctor to ask him if I should try starting on a lower dose, however he has already left for vacation for a month. I spoke with his secretary and he said I should try splitting the tab in half and taking that. But I don't think you are supposed to split the tabs. Does it affect the time release properties Concerta has? If I stick with the 54mg dose the doctor prescribed, will I become adjusted to it or should I start with a lower dose? I don't know whether to keep taking the regular dose, splitting it in half, or not take them at all. Any insight on this will be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

As I am not an MD, please take what I say as you will; however, I have done a lot of research on ADHD and meds and have taken concerta myself. First off, do not split the pill. Concerta works on a time-release "oros" system....basically the pill is developed with 3 compartments, if you will, and the meds in each compartment get released at different times. Secondly, 54mg is not a usual starting dose. Typically physicians know to start at the lowest dose possible and to work up from there if needed. (Are you seeing a dr. who is familiar with ADHD? If not, I highly suggest that you see a specialist.) If I were in your position, I would NOT take the pills, wait until my doctor got back in town (or go to another one) and go from there. I wish you the best of luck and definitely keep us posted as to what the outcome is!

54 MG is a really high dose!

Do not break open the pills for the reason the last person said.

I would either wait until the doc is back in town, or get another doctor.

Most doctors will start on a low dose to see if that is enough and then slowly work up to a higher dosage as needed. The doctor also should have told you to take it in the morning (maybe he did).

[QUOTE=HuhWhat]

Do not cut break or chrush concerta it is a time release pill. It works like a sqirt gun. It has a hole at one end where the drug comes out. It is pushed out by a sponge like stuff. What happens is, you swallow it the outer couting desolves then the pill absorbs water through the outer wall of the pill as it does this the sponge stuff expands and pushes the medication out the hole.

Here is a link to show you what I'm talkin about http://www.alza.com/alza/oros

If you break it or cut it I would image you would have a big up and followed by a big down A.K.A NOT GOOD

If your doctor is away for a month he must have another docter to cover his practice while he is away if not, Find a new doctor.

As someone who is also on Concertaxl. 54.mg. the method of starting on 18.mg
was the one used by doctor. Then went to 36.mgs. after 7 days. went to 54.
7 days later and am on that for period of 3 months. Review to see if i need to up
again at 3 months. Unlightly as situation is stable. Stable release is what makes
this effective and splitting is not possible as you note HuhWhat. Animation sure is
helpful on visual perception. A locum for Doctor seems to be norm so going to the
locum sounds like appropriate course of action.

[/QUOTE]

Here is a link to show you what I'm talkin about http://www.alza.com/alza/oros

If you break it or cut it I would image you would have a big up and followed by a big down A.K.A NOT GOOD

If your doctor is away for a month he must have another docter to cover his practice while he is away if not, Find a new doctor

[QUOTE=zzzq]

I see a lot of people who are on medication for this
kind of thing, but doctors around here say i'm too old to be figured out.
I'M 35,SINCE WHEN IS THAT TOO OLD?! [/QUOTE]

ADHD doesn't need therapy. I take my meds and that's it. Maybe you
should see a thearapist for the other problems, but you have
accomplished quite a bit! I was 35 when I was diagnosed.

btw i shop at goodwill too. GO TEAM!!!54 is high to start. However I take TWO 54 every day, and i am not a large
person.

What happened? did you quit for now? PLEASE tell the dr. his sec. is
dispensing BAD medical advice- splitting concerta is absolutely wrong.

I see a lot of people who are on medication for this kind of thing, but doctors around here say i'm too old to be figured out. I'M 35,SINCE WHEN IS THAT TOO OLD?! My 7 yr.old gets a lot of help,but I don't understand a lot of the paper work.Too many big words.Please don't laugh. I can't remember stuff I read 5mins. ago, I try to hold conversations with people my age, but they talk about going out for a business dinner at some 5 star resteraunt. They must go to get a new dresss at the mall. WELL, I personally give Chuckie Cheeses 5stars while in my new outfit from goodwill. I just saved my husband 0 or so. Maybe i'm not so stupid after all. Is there hope for me? My mom is proud of me because for a little while, I was raising 2 kids that are barely 16 months apart by myself. Now I got married 3yrs. ago to a very supportive man and we bought a house. I actually feel important now! Thanks mom! Thanks honey! I stiil feel so depressed at times. Why? Alife this good & i'm upset about it. I guess 1 reason is that my brother just got killed in Aug. at a weird work accident. With all my sons problems, I don't have time for theropy for me.

Sorry, me again. My son is on 54mg. of Concertta & .05 mg. of Risperdal for his sleeping disorder and he is only 7 yrs. old. I have never cut up his pills. The're not as effective. Have a nice day!DO NOT split or crush concerta! i started at 36mg. it was great for about
2 weeks then i felt nothing so i was upped to 54mg. it was too much for
me, i felt like i couldn't catch up with myself

. then i started taking
45mg...which is taking a 27mg and an 18mg. at the same time every
morning and its been 3 months, working great. good luck.