Anyone switch to diff med in same family? | ADHD Information

We haven't done that, but I wanted to say that my son had the same issues on Focalin XR as yours. It was awful. I am no expert but I think if your son had good effect on that class of drug with the immediate release then there would be a good chance he might respond to one of the other drugs in the same class.

My son had better response on Vyvanse so if we go back to stimulants (currently trying Intuniv and liking what I am seeing so far less than a week in) we will try that again or something in that family.

Good luck!

Thanks! Intuiv was just recc'ed for us recently! We may try that before trying
another stim. can you tell me more about what good things your seeing?
how old is you son?

Vyvanse didn't work for us at this time. I think I would try the methyl family
again first before trying amphet familyMy son had some significant success on Focalin, but after switching to XR to
avoid the highs and lows, he's having less success and more anxiety and
anger. Have others out there switched to a different drug in same family and
had success? Like switching from Focalin XR to Concerta? It is confusing and hard to know if it is a dosage issue or just not the right drug.  It takes a lot of patience and trial and error to find the right drug at the right dosage. 

Hang in there.


Thanks. taht interesting about rebound and low dose. I would think it'd be
the opposite: if it was too high, or the med wasn't a good fit, then rebound
would be bad? My son is starting at 18 mg which I know is the lowest dose.
he had some bad rebound with the Focalin XR, and i chalked it up to med
not being right. Could it have been dose was too low? And if same thing
happens with Concerta will it be for that reason? Ugh. co confusing! Good luck with the Concerta, hope it works better for you than the Focalin xr. We'll be seeing a developmental pediatrician on Wed. and I'm going to see what she thinks about that for our little guy. The focalin is funny because some days he does great on it and other days (like today) he seems unhappy, and he is still constantly picking the skin on his fingers so I definitely think it is causing him some anxiety. I'd like to try the Daytrana patch but I don't think he'll keep it on because of his sensory issues.

Mommatrying,

We have been on Intuniv for one week. The first part of last week was on Focalin 5mg and Intuniv 1mg. I noticed he still had anger and aggressiveness, particularly right after school around the time the Focalin XR would presumably be wearing off. And at night we noticed tics, but with the Intuniv he seemed a bit calmer than usual. As of Friday we stopped Focalin and just went with Intuniv. His teacher reported that he had "less errors than usual" on his spelling test. That day and Saturday he was great! Very well behaved and calm. Sunday and today have continued to be good, although I think I am seeing a little more hyperactivity creep back in but he is still much more even tempered and takes correction/disappointment much much better. He is 8 btw. We are due to go up to 2mg tomorrow and I am going back and forth on whether I want to do that or wait for the weekend just in case it makes him tired (the 1mg didn't at all).

Yes.   My daughter didn't like Focalin XR.   She is currently on Concerta and doing great.    We also have used Ritalin LA.  It works fine - just not long enough. That is good to hear! We are switching this weekend to Concerta. How long
are you finding it lasts? My son was having bad rebound with the XR, did
your daughter have that? Is the rebound better with Concerta? My concern is
he doesn't swallow pills. Hoping its small enough that I can hide it in a big
scoop of ice cream so it will slip down back of his throat! [QUOTE=mommatrying]That is good to hear! We are switching this weekend to Concerta. How long
are you finding it lasts? My son was having bad rebound with the XR, did
your daughter have that? Is the rebound better with Concerta? My concern is
he doesn't swallow pills. Hoping its small enough that I can hide it in a big
scoop of ice cream so it will slip down back of his throat![/QUOTE]

The Concerta last about 9 hours with my daughter.   At the right dosage,  we have no rebound issues.   When the dosage is too low,  we have run into issues.  

Good luck.