After being on a 50mg a day dose of Adderall XR (2 x 25mg per day) I asked my doc if I could try Concerta to see how it compared. He gave me a script for 54mg so I had it filled and gave it a shot. The first several days were pretty good. On a pill for pill comparison I'd say that the 54mg Concerta tablet is pretty equal with a 25mg Adderall XR capsule. The Concerta kicks in faster but has a smoother effect, doesn't seem to be effected by food and lasts about 1 hour longer than the Adderall (about 7-8 hours vs 6-7 with Adderall). I'd say the Adderall is more potent but is highly dependent on what's in my stomach. If I eat any kind of lunch it seems to really dampen my 2nd dose later in the day.

Now for the bad stuff on Concerta. The rebound is a b*tch! About 1 hour before it really wears off I can tell it's loosing it's punch but when it does it's downright bad. Practically knocks me out with fatigue. The last 2 weeks it seems to work great for the first 2 hours (I guess that is the immediate/fast-acting part kicking in) then I get really calm, actually way to calm and sedated for the next 6 hours or so. I don't know what is going on but I can't handle it anymore. Either my dose is not right (maybe too low) or methylphenidate isn't for me. I'm back to good'ol Adderall XR for the time being until I can chat with me doc.

J