Is it common for ritalin or other stimulants to become less effective over time ??....Been on concerta now for a couple of yrs.
Had mostly very possitive effects up till now but find it becoming
less so,,,My doctor has already increased the dossage which did work very well but seems much less consistent now ....Any one had similar experiences ???.....Buby.....:)

Yes it is possible. You might need to have your dosage adjusted.

Yes, it's called a tolerance level once you reach the maximum safe dosage allowed....and med is still not effective......I too would call the doctor.....

I have had several drugs start out very effective and then lose effecasy several weeks or months or years later. They still work for me, just not as well as in the initial stages.

I don't personally know the medical or biological mechanics of this, but my MD says I tend to adapt to many of the drugs he prescribes, and they tend to lose effectiveness. He explained that the brain is like clay, that the neuron receptors change shape to accomodate new drugs passing the blood brain barrier. Eventually, they change shape enough to virtually nullify the effect of the drugs. He says he recommends drug vacations in certain cases, for a period of 6 weeks, to allow the brain to go back to its original shape.

I have noticed though, that I do not adapt to ritilin or adderal or concerta. I do adapt to welbutrin and to straterra. And for me, increasing dosage does not solve the problem, it just increases side effects.

For me this is one of the most frustrating aspects of medication, that the body can adjust to it and nullify its effects. However, I have not found a way to avoid medication and still be effective. I'm am not extremely productive on medication, and I get worse off medication.

The good news is that every year they learn more.

Jon

i am odd in that way yet i get a super tolerance with ritalin and concerta (same drug) and strattera effexor and wellbutrin made me act like hyper x5 yet the amphetamines i can take a therapeutic dose and need an increase once every year