I have an 8yo son that has been on ritalin for about 6 months and then we had to change him to concerta 18. He did very well for about 5 months but since our winter set in and he has missed so much school. 10 days in all. It has been very difficult for him to stay focased again. He is currently taking concerta 18, I asked the pharmasist about how they increase it. I was told that they usually add a small dose of ritilan in the afternoon because the next dose of concerta available is 36mg. I dont want him back on ritalin because it caused headaches, lack of sleep, loss of appetite, and more meltdowns (crying at the drop of a hat). I would like some input on what others have done in this situation. My doctor is very open to accepting my ideas on treatment, so I would like to have a few ideas when I approach him. thanks for your help.
Jodi
Re: concerta
Hi Jodi,
My older son with inattentive add started out taking 5mg ritalin 3xday (1st-4th grades), went to 20mg ritalin SR(4th-7th grades) and now takes 36mg concerta (8th). The concerta and ritalin are both methylphenidate just different delivery systems. We changed him because of timing, the SR didn’t last through the middle school day. My understanding is that 18mg concerta is equivalent to 5mg ritalin spread through a 10-12 hr timeframe but without the hills and valleys. My younger hyper son takes 54mg concerta.
Amy
Re: concerta
When my son was on ritilan he was started on 5mg, went to 10mgs after a few months. Then for 2 weeks he was on 20mgs before changing to concerta 18mg. I cant remember for sure what he was on when the headaches started I think it was the 10mg and that is why we changed him to the concerta. Also does sized change the dosage or is it basically the need? My son is 8yo, weighs 52 pnds and is about 4’3” tall. Thanks for your response.
Re: concerta
Concerta is another form of ritalin justin a slower release fashion. My daughter did fine of the 18 mg for about a year and then she was bumped up to 36 mg and now she is going to be bumped up again to 54.. At first when she gets bumped up she has a hard time sleeping but in subsides after awhile. She is about 5’3” and about 90 lbs.
concerta 27mg
Hi Jodi,
There is a new dosage of concerta. My daughter was just switched to it. Before we had tried 18mg which was not enough. We next tried 36mg. but this was to much. She was over medicated. We went back to the 18 mg with 5 mg. ritalin which was better but still not what we needed. So now we are trying 27 mg. concerta. Hopefully this will be the correct dosage.
Ask your doctor about the concerta 27mg.
Re: concerta 27mg
that is great news. thank you so much. I will call my doctor today! Protective Mom, you gave me the answer that I needed!!!!!!!!!!! I am so glad I found this web site. Everyone here is so helpful. Jodi
Jodi, Concerta 36 is not that large of a dose from what I’ve read- it comes larger than that. Do you think even a small dose of Ritalin would cause the side effects, or was he taking a much larger amt?