Concerta...pros and cons

[DisneyObsessed]

My son 15, was diagnosed ADD 4 years ago but put on antidepressants instead of something specifically for ADD. I never agreed with it, but I figured the doctor knew best. Well, his psychiatrist left and I went to his pediatrician this time. This is a pretty new pedi as I switched about a year ago after the old one told me right in front of my son, that he didn't agree with something I had done as far as discipline. Yeah, that went over big. This doctor is wonderful. I wish we had found him years ago. Anyway, he is finally addressing the ADD with Concerta. I don't know too much about it and I'm just looking for any experiences you may have had with it. TIA
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Dawn

 

[Christine]

You will probably hear some rave reviews on Concerta. It IS a wonderful medication; however, for both of my children it was not the one that worked the best. We had to give my DD12 very high doses of Concerta to get the desired effect. It plain just didn't work on my son. My children's doctor says that he has many similar complaints with other children on Concerta. Concerta has a very sophisticated delivery system inside that "capsule". I guess it depends how you metabolize the drug to determine how well it will work on you. I think in my DD's case, she just didn't break it down well, or the med didn't release well, etc. This is very unique delivery system and no other ADD medication works like this one does. It is supposed to be "smooth." My kids' doc says that he feels they need to put more medication in each Concerta tab to get the desired effect. But trying it never hurts!!

We ended up using Metadate CD for DD. These are spanules. 30% of the med is released immediately and the remaining 70% is released later on. My DS is on Ritalin LA which is much like Metadate. The medication is released 50%/50%.

 

[Lars624]

My DS is almost 15 too........I'm sending you a PM

 

[rw2dodge]

Hi!
My ds 12 was diagnosed with ADHD just about 4 years ago also. He was started on Ritalin and that worked, but he would have to go down to the school nurse to get another dose during the day for it only lasted part of the day. He was then put on Adderal what a nightmare My son had sooo many side effects that he was taken off it immediately. His doctor then put him on concerta. It worked fine with out any side effects. However this summer in a magazine I came upon a new medicine called Stattera. It is for ADHD and is NOT!!! a narcotic/controlled substance and last 24 hours. This has worked out the best for our case. I feel better knowing he not on a stimulant drug. Hope this helps. BTW, Stattera can be monitored by your Primary Doctor instead of going to a specialist. Good Luck.

 

[ripleysmom]

Some people have good results with Concerta, my children metabolized it too quickly. Currently they are taking Ritalin LA and Strattera together. That seems to be the best mix of medication for them both.

My biggest piece of advice is that if you don't feel it is working, don't be afraid to speak up and tell the doctor.

Good Luck!

 

[Blondie]

Concerta was one of the only ADD medications that seemed to work for my son. Adderall depressed him and Ritalin turned him into a zombie.

This year (8th grade) we started the school year without medication, and he is doing wonderfully without it!