Hello

My 5 year old son just started on Ritilan LA yesterday and I was wondering how long before I see some change? He was diagnosed combined type last July and we decided to hold off on meds for a while, but it has come time to start meds. I am glad to find this board and I am looking foward to meeting everyone. http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif

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Jodi
Wife to Justin
Mommy to Josh 2-17-98
Mommy to Jordyn 1-6-03

I have an 11 year old ADHD. We've been on meds for 8 years. You should see instant results with Ritalin. I'm not real sure what Ritalin (LA) is?
Good Luck and keep us posted. These boards are wonderful. Keep in mind that every child is different and every opinion is different. You'll find lots of support on these boards. http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/wave.gif

Rhonda

Thanks Rhonda. Ritalin LA is the extended release formula. It was approved to be used as sprinkles, meaning I can open the capsals and put the medication on a tablespoon of applesauce. Josh takes the meds great! He only has to take it once a day. I am noticing that he is not nearly as hyper, still a bit restless, but better.

Does anyone know if Ritalin LA is the same as Concerta? My daughter is on the 2nd day of Concerta, but getting her to swallow the pill is a nightmare. I'm sure that she won't do it tomorrow. I thought that the Dr. said that Concerta is the extented realeas of Ritalin, but the pharmacist said that it does not come in a capsule. Thanks, MC

I think that ritalin LA releases two doses of medication, one initially and one 4 hours later. That's what I read about it anyway. I think that extended release meds release the medicine continuously over a certain amount of time. My son takes ritalin LA and it has really helped him. Two important things about ritalin LA, don't give it with anything hot, and don't give it with citric acid products like orange juice. If it's taken with something hot then all the medicine might be released at once.

Oh and ritalin LA capsules can be opened up and the contents sprinkled on apple sauce and taken that way. My son can not swallow pills yet so this is very helpful. The doctor said that we can use the empty capsules to practice swallowing pills but so far we haven't gotten around to that.

That is what we do with the medication. Josh calls it his "magic applesauce" LOL As far as I know, Concerta is not the same at the Ritalin LA. Didn't know about the "hot" will keep that in mind, thanks!