Concerta: Dose too high ? - ADD / ADHD Message Board

Reg83 · 05-18-2006, 02:17 PM

My son was dx ADHD in December 2002.

We began medicating him April 2004 when he began having difficulty in school and socially. He was started with AdderalXR which didnt work. Switched to Adderall Tabs and it helped.

ADDERALL XR was taken off the market in Canada due to some deaths, cardiac related with patients who were taking ADDERALL XR (it was not determined if the deaths were due to pre existing conditions or the medication). DS had a baseline cardiac evaluation and all was fine. We continued with ADDERALLTabs.

Earlier this year, the ADDERALL Tabs were not working and DS began having issues again. Our neurologist suggested we switch to CONCERTA 18mg.

The CONCERTA 18mg worked better than the ADDERALL, but not great. Neurologist increased dose to 27mg after 2 months of 18mg.

We are currently on week 3 of 27mg and DS is worse than when on the 18mg.

His classroom teacher and reading specialist say it is almost impossible to keep him focused and on task. He has a lot of energy, spins around a lot, and cant sit still.

My Question .....can the dose be too high?

I have an appointment to speak with the teacher on Friday, and I called the doctor's office to speak to her by phone (hoping that she calls back Friday).

Thanks for any info you can provide and thanks for reading.

badkat · 05-22-2006, 09:13 AM

Reg83,

I have a son 11yrs old, on Concerta 54mg. Started out lower doses..but yes through teachers reports and our own obvious observaton having to increase. I think alot has to do with the child themselves and how they tolerate it, size, weight, motablisim?? My son is only 69# - tall for his age... but right now we are at the point of possibably needing to increase - trying to hold out till school year starts next year - our doc. said you do hit a plateau and need an adjustment.

My thought would be that your child may not be on enough meds, that is what happens to our child when he needs an adjustment. I was told by our doctor that if he was on too much he would be a zombie and do nothing? Everyone is different - soo sad it is such trial/error...but hope this helps.

Take care
Badkat

SuchGreatHeight · 05-22-2006, 03:38 PM

His mgs aren't at a medical high dose, although every child reacts differently to meds. I was on 54mgs, and it helped me quite a bit. Although, you might want to take his dosaging slower if he is having difficulties. If he is not getting any help from his new dosage (after the new sideaffects from the new dosage) you might want to either go back to the lesser doage or maybe try a different med. Or possibly, two different meds each at small dosages.

SGH