Comments on: Concerta and Ritalin: Can they be Combined?

By: Dr. Kenny Handelman

Dr. Kenny Handelman — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 16:54:00 +0000

Annie – just forget about the third dose at the end of the day – for example – if he is taking 5 mg AM and 5 mg noon, consider it 5 mg 3 x per day and convert the concerta dose appropriately (because Concerta lasts longer than then twice daily dose). If it lasts too long, consider a shorter acting MPH preparation – i.e. Metadate, Ritalin LA or Biphentin (Canada).

By: Annie Bowen

Annie Bowen — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 19:57:36 +0000

I have a 8 year old taking Methylin chewable tablets 10 mg twice a day, in the morning and at noon. This is working well, but we would prefer to just dose him once a day. We would like to try Concerta but when I looked at your articles you spoke of three-times-a-day dosing with fast-acting Ritalin preps in your conversion ratio information so I don’t know how to figure his Concerta dose. I know the doctor has to do it but she doesn’t always seem savvy to what is available in Ritalin doses even though she thinks she is, so I would like to be able to discuss the Concerta dose with her at our appointment, rather than just be left at home with an acting-out kid when she guesses wrong. How do I calculate his possible Concerta dose using our present dosage schedule? Thanks!

By: Pam

Pam — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 14:21:53 +0000

I have a 7 year old who has been taking concerts 18 mg for the past two weeks. The major downside has been not being able to go to sleep and when he starts to come off the medicine he is irritable, irrational and emotional. The doctor wants to add 5 mg of Ritalin at 3pm. What should I expect? I am nervous about adding another medicine but he can tell the concerts helps him at school. I just don’t know if he or I can handle these mood swings. Will the Ritalin help or possible hinder? So confused and worried about doing what is right!

By: Dr. Kenny Handelman

Dr. Kenny Handelman — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 19:17:14 +0000

Ana – combining intuniv with focalin is a good combination – though it depends how your son responds…

By: Ana

Ana — Sat, 08 Oct 2011 21:59:36 +0000

My son the have ADHD and ODD was taking concerta 27mg in the Morning and retalin 5mg at 4pm and the meds they did not work for hem he was getting more agresive in one whole week he did not did good at school was hitting his teacher and bite her and the kids from his class totaly out of cantrole cause the meds were not working how its sopose to work on him now he is on other the i hope they work on him talk to yyou son doctor to see if they come with a good plan with you son and the best for hem good luck

By: Ana

Ana — Sat, 08 Oct 2011 21:43:39 +0000

My son has ADHD he was taking concerta in the morning and retalin at 4pm but he was not getting any improment he was getting more agersive so i talk to his doctor and he change the meds to.and now he is taking intuniv1mg in the morning and focalin xr 15mg in the morning do you think is good two mix this two medication for him in the morning

By: Dr. Kenny Handelman

Dr. Kenny Handelman — Mon, 11 Jul 2011 14:59:19 +0000

Hi,
People can be put on the newer longer acting medications, or the non-stimulants.
So – vyvanse is the least abusable stimulant, and strattera and intuniv are non-stimulants, so they are not abusable.
Ask the doctor about those.

By: Jenna

Jenna — Sat, 09 Jul 2011 20:44:00 +0000

Dr. Can you give me feedback on giving stimulant medicine to a recovering opiate addict? My husband is in recovery from opiates (2 years) and also had ADD. He had been taking Adderal for many years and stopped it when he went into recovery. He never abused his ADD medicine but his doctor said that addicts can’t take medicine like adderal. He really needs this to maintain his ADD and other drugs have not helped. I’m afraid his frustration now may cause him a relapse from the opiates! What are the general guidelines for addicts in recovery who have ADD?

By: Dr. Kenny Handelman

Dr. Kenny Handelman — Mon, 04 Jul 2011 16:43:50 +0000

Amy – if you have been diagnosed with ADHD, and you are having problems with focus – check with the doctor about getting specific treatment for ADHD. You are already taking antidepressants/anti-anxiety medicines – so your doctor will have to work with you on an overall treatment plan.

By: Ammy

Ammy — Fri, 24 Jun 2011 15:30:18 +0000

Approximately 10 years ago I was diagnosed with severe ADD. This was discovered when I tried to go to law school. I couldn’t focused to save my life & eventually it cost me my job. I was prescibed 40 mg. of ritalin & my doctor would not increase it bc other medications I’m taking. I changed doctors & the new doctor put me on Concerta 36mg twice a day (no Ritalin). I have to say that nothing happens. I try to read & I have to struggle to keep my eyelids open. I really, really want to read my favorite author (A.C. Doyle) but it is just impossible. I’ve been thinking that combining Ritalin (20mg) once a day might work but I think that I’m going to face a lot of reluctance. I lost my job & I can keep my mind from wondering around to the point that I can’t even balance my checkbook (I have to pay somebody to make heads & tails of my bills). I feel embarrassed & stupid bc I can’t keep up with other people’s conversations. I’m permanently in la, la land that it isn’t even funny. Despite the fact that I’m taking (Symbyax 12/50 mg) and Effexor ER 150 mg twice a day, I sleep like a baby 14 hours a day. At this point, I don’t feel depressed and I make list of things to do, my mind just wonders, & I go from one project to another & my mind is permanently in the clouds. What do you all, think? Any advice? Please reply at doc.karch@gmail.com thank you. P.S. It took me 4 hours and a lot of editing to write this brief posting.