Concerta and fatigue? - ADD / ADHD Message Board

hopee · 05-19-2002, 01:22 PM

Hi,
I have been reading everyone's posts but this is the first time I've posted.
I was recently diagnosed with adult ADD. A general practitioner started me on Concerta 18 mg. and I am waiting for my insurance company to approve a psychiatrist visit.
My question is about the side-effects of the Concerta. Though it does have a calming effect on me, my moods are more even, and it helps with impulsiveness and slightly increases my attention, it makes me rather drowsy. This is very noticeable about 5 hours after I take it. What does this mean? Too high of a dose?(it's the smallest dose they offer) Too small? Wrong medication? I don't want to complain too much because this doctor isn't very comfortable with trying out different meds. Can anyone offer advice or had a similar experience? Thanks!

mlgable · 05-20-2002, 07:19 AM

The peak time on Concerta is listed at about 6 hours so that could possibly be the cause of your fatigue at 5 hours. Check the literature that came with your medication to see what it lists as the peak time and this will give you an idea if this might be the cause or not. The info I found was simply on the web.
You mentioned waiting for insurance to approve a psych visit but I am wondering just how you were diagnosed if you haven't already been evaluated by a professional who specializes in disorders such as ADD or ADHD. Hope things work out well for you.

hopee · 05-20-2002, 08:23 AM

Hi,

I was diagnosed by a psychologist that I have been seeing. Because I have been on many different medications in the past (mainly for depression, which was really ADHD all along) she felt I needed to consult with someone who is knowledgable in psychotropic drugs. Now with the fatigue I'm feeling from the Concerta, I can understand why.

Thanks for the reply to my post.

cameron82 · 06-09-2002, 09:52 PM

I had a similar experience while taking Adderall XR. If you don't know what that is, it's a capsule that releases Adderall and lasts 12 hours or so. Basically, it kicked in after an hour and I felt the Adderall but then all of a sudden I got really tired and dizzy (not sure if this happened to you). I felt like fainting. I didn't know what to do so I drank a beer which lessened the strong effects of the adderall XR. I know it sounds really weird but it was freaking me out and I only figured it would get worse. Anyway, I then switched back to regular Adderall and am going to change over to Concerta this week. I know you're on Concerta but i thought i'd share my story with you to tell you that stimulants can make you fatigue.

hopee · 06-10-2002, 11:05 AM

Thanks Cameron82. I was beginning to thing I was weird having drowsiness as a side effect. Good luck with the Concerta.