I had some issues with concerta months ago (towards the end of the semester before summer break) with the sustained release mechanism. I got a refill from my physican yesterday because although I am going to work with a psychiatrist to figure out the best course of treatment and dosage, I probably won't be able to start seeing him for another week or so.

I told my doctor that I'd like to give Concerta another shot so that I'm trying to do something between now and then to manage my ADHD. Today was my first day taking it since I stopped months ago, and I have the same issues with the sustained release. I took it around 7am and a half hour to 45 minutes after taking it, it kicks in fairly suddenly. For about 2 hours or so after that I could concentrate and stay on task with my schoolwork, but then it suddenly wore off as quickly as it started working. Then I felt worn out and cranky by a little after 10.

Now I don't feel as bad, but I do feel pretty worn out. I can stay on task but my motiviation is fairly worn out. I'm normally (when not on meds) very motivated and enthusiastic yet can't sit down and stay on one thing at a time or concentrate. Right now I just feel really blah and don't very much feel like talking to anyone or thinking.

Anyway, if I remember correctly this is pretty much the extent that concerta works for me. I don't think it ever kicked in later in the day.

Anyone have comments or advice for me? Should I eat more in the morning or not as much? Was it the coffee I had earlier that I usually have in the morning?

Well, coffee is acidic and acidic stuff can lessen the effects of stimulants, but I'm kinda doubting that is it. What else are you eating or drinking? Make sure you are drinking plenty of water as this helps the gel (or whatever) expand to push the meds out of the time release capsule.

I don't know if this is possible, but maybe you got a bad batch of Concerta... I don't mean dangerous, just that maybe the hole didn't get cut in the time release mechanism so it isn't getting pushed out, you are just getting the initial outer coating which is like 24% of the medication which would be like taking one Ritalin in the morning... I've never heard of this happening though, I don't really know if this is possible, I'm sure they have very stringent quality control.

Bottom line: talk to your doctor about it :)

Oh, also, I've read on here that it works better on an empty stomach.

Well, the issue of what I eat really doesn't seem like a huge issue because it seems like this same thing happened every time before regardless of food.This morning I took the concerta and ate a bowl of rasin bran. Aside from black coffee (about two cups) I didn't consume anything else except about 3 small water bottles over the course of a few hours.