I've been recently diagnosed and prescribed concerta. I have a health plan so it's not too expensive, but still, a generic brand sounds smarter.... methylphenidate is methylphenidate, right? I'm also not actually sure if I like the extended-release kind, there are some pros and cons, but that's another story.

My main question is, does anyone have any experience with methylin compared to other methylphenidate pills? (Methylin ER vs concerta, or non-extended-release vs ritalin, etc). I assume it shouldn't make a difference, but at least in the extended-release type there may be some noticeable difference in release mechanism.

I'm going to ask my doctor about it tomorrow anyway, but I figured I'd try and get some subjective input here as well.

I just switched from Concerta to Methlyn today........! I am curious too!

Methylin ER, Metadate ER and Ritalin SR are probably the most notorious ADD meds ever created. Highly unreliable due to the way the pills are made. The extended release portion is controlled by mixing the 2nd dose in a wax-like structure. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't so you don't end up with long enough coverage.

A true system for 6-8 hour coverage would be Ritalin LA(50/50 dose split) or Metadate CD (30/70 dose split). These are designed to equal 2 IR doses. Ritalin LA does a 50 50 split while Metadate CD gives a smaller first dose and heavier 2nd dose.

Concerta (22%/78% dose split) gives the equivalent of 3 IR doses 10-12 hours.

Taking IR doses gives faster peaks but also faster drop-off. Extended release meds minimize this and give a smoother benefit.

J