my husband is 56 and has ADD (recently diagnosed), we live in canada, and ritalin doesn't work (makes him hyper, and does nothing to increase his focus) ... i gather that straterra and concerta are both available in the states but NOT here :rolleyes: -- can anyone suggest an equivalent?

he's too scattered to investigate this, and i can BARELY do it (i'm hypothyroid :o ), but it must be done if i'm to live with him, or if he's to get a job (he was recently laid off, and i don't think it has anything to do w/his ADD, but who knows) ...

any help would be appreciated, because i'm desperate here ...

Concerta was just approved in Canada this month. I'm not sure when it will be availble though.

Dexedrine is also another medication used for AD/HD which is availible in Canada.


I'm not too sure about other medications.

I'm going to copy this post to the Candada Forum.

Concertas available in Canada, Ive talked to some who are using it. But its pretty much time released ritalin, of course the difference in how its delivered might make it work somewhat better. Being in canada you dont really have many options. Try looking into natural supplements that he can take along with medication and if they work then maybe eventually that could be all he takes. You must be careful when taking things with meds!! So find him something you are sure would be safe. Or if you dont know ask someone who has experience with it or even a pharmacist. One natural alternative I know to be safe when taken with meds is beCalmd. Thats what I take and its pretty great for me all by itself, however its also safe to take with pretty much every medication except for MAOI's.

Canada is a LOT stricter about medications then the US is. Reading Dr. Amen's book, it seemed like about 50% of the stuff he recommends in terms of meds, supplements, etc. is things that are either heavily restricted or banned here in Canada.

Really?? That sucks, well a lot of the supplements and stuff can be purchased off the web from places that ship internationally, the brands I like are spring valley and twin labs. So which book by Dr Amen are you refering to?? Healing ADD?? Change Your Brain Change Your Life?? or a diff one? I've read most of them. Dr Amen is so AWESOME!!! Hey have you seen those spect scans? www.brainplace.com it has pics of normal vs add brains and even pics of anger, bipolar, and tons more. What type of ADD do you have according to his book?

Ritalin SR and Ritalin LA are not the same as concerta. Concerta last longer and is released in 3 doses while Ritalin LA and SR are realeased in 2 doses.

Not sure if this is accurate, but an ADDer from Canada just mentioned to me that Strattera is now available there. You may want to check with you pharmacist about it.