Adhd - son 13 , tablets not working

[cluedo3]

My son was on Equasym 30 and was doing ok and getting maybe 2 notes a week for misbehaving. He couldn't focus on hme Wk so Dr changed him to Concerta 40, I think he's gotten worse? Any one else have experience of this ? Tks

My DS has 54mg and it works. This is the first time I hear about Concerta 40. I thought it comes in 18, 36, 27 mg. I am not an expert, but the full dose is usually 54mg for a teens.

I understand Equasym releases up to 30% of the dose immediately and then small amounts through the day, for this reason it is possible that your DS is focussed in the morning due to this boosted dose, and then his attention weins as the dose released decreases, so he gets his behaviour notes etc. Concerta is stable throughout the day, it does not do the 30% boost, it might release less that Equasym initially and then still small amounts during the day. Looks like your DS needs a higher dose of Concerta. Equasym 30 not working is the reason you changed the medication, so you need a higher dose of Concerta than the dose equivalent to 30 Equasym.

wanes

Equasym and Concerta are both Methylphenidate and are the the 1st line of medication to be prescribed. If they are not working go back and ask to be changed to Lisdexamfetamine which comes in a capsule called Elvanse. If this doesn't work you can then try Atomoxetine. Thee are lots of options and different medications work for different children.

We started my daughter on Medikinet then tried Concerta (both of those were Methylphenidate. Neother worked - now we areon Elvanse and it is working. If it hadn't, I would have pushed for Atomoxetine.

Lots of information here under the NHS Nice guidelines www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ta98/chapter/3-The-technology

Read around the website under the ADHD section.

Good luck!

Have you looked into diet?