Thoughts on Concerta? | ADHD Information

My DS (8) is now on Medadate (20mg) and I think it is fine, but it seems to get out of his system so quickly. so my DH asked the dr about something different and she said we can try Concerta (18 mg) to start.  I hate the thought of starting another type since he is really not having  any side effects but we were told it may last longer. And the dr said it is really the same type of med as the medadate so hopefully nothing would change as far as side effects.  So just wondering what you guys thought.

 

Thanks!

Marie

can u use a short acting after it wears off? or if its only lasting a few hours give it really early and then another in the afternoon when the first is wore off? or can u go up a dose and see if it lasts longer that way. that would be hard for me to switch meds also if that was the only prob and no side effects. concerta for my ds used to wear off at about 6 hours. we actually switched form concerta to vyvanse and ds has done alot better. i dont know much about metadate but isnt there a few different ones, a short acting and then a longer acting? sorry if i didnt help but i thought if a few things u might want to consider.

kim

We started Concerta recently and have had success so far. It's been good for school. No aggressiveness and much less impulsivity. Son can still be a bit stubborn, but lets it go a lot quicker than without it. We did test between 18 and 36. At 36, we didn't notice much difference between the two EXCEPT at night, in which the 36 made it difficult for him to sleep even several hours after it should have been out of his system. At 18, he falls asleep just fine. Did notice a more difficult transition on weekends without meds, but that coudl be because he's taking meds more than in the past (first time with all-day dosage). Overall, we've liked it so far.

Matadate and Concerta are the same med( Methylphenidate), with a different release, concerta just lasts longer.

DD has been using Concerta for 2 years with no problems

First make sure that you are seeing someone who deals with ADHD in children as a main part of their practice (if there is one near you - that's not always possible I know this).  Then make sure to ask about all the options.

Concerta in it's (I believe) XR is about 12 hours dose in 2 small amounts in one pill.  That's long enough for most people I'd assume.

There's also the daytrana patch.  I haven't got any personal or anecdotal experience to pass on but the online literature seems good.

If there are no side effects but you want longer lasting - is there a problem with remembering the dose?  Perhaps a cheap alarm clock in the kitchen with two alarms built in?  That way you can schedule well enough.  Portable alarm clocks are cheap these days too.

You know the old saying - "if it ain't broke - don't fix it" - I like that one.
Medadate and Concerta have a different release method and release different amounts into your system.

Medadate releases 30% initially and then the rest later
Concerta releases 22% initially and then the rest later
Ritalin LA releases 50% initially and then the rest later

We have used both Ritalin LA and Concerta and get good coverage in the afternoons with Concerta.


OK ... had to update you on our Concerta experience. After 2-3 weeks of mostly positive changes, we had a really bad day at school (which I posted about in the parents section under "Tell me it gets better). Well, that was nothing compared to the behavior later that night when the meds should have worn off. Our son through the hugest fit I've ever seen him throw, was inconsolably crying (and he rarely cries) and was so upset he couldn't get over it. It was scary in that this was nothing like my child, even without meds. He was freaking out. We talked to the doctor's office and have decided to make a med change to Vyvanse. So if you do try the Concerta, just be sure to watch for any changes at that 2-3 week mark. Good luck!