Hey guys, I'm currently taking 54mg Concerta. Been doin so for a couple of months. It works ok, but I'm thinking about asking my doctor to switch me to ritalin because even though the medicine works it doesn't provide me any actual benefit during the afternoon ( it keeps me focused, but I can't motivate myself to do work so it's effectively giving me no benefit). I think I'd be better off just taking a ritalin in the morning, and then one in the evening on class days or days where I need to do homework.

My understanding of the 54mg Concerta is that it's just 3 timed doses of 18mg ritalin. Is this right?

If I take 54mg Concerta now and it works, what strength Ritalin should I look for?

Thanks guys.

Hey, Concerta and Ritalin have the same active ingredient (methylphenidate) but have some important differences.

The first 30% of 54 mg Concerta is released right away (16.2 mg) and the remaining 70% is released slowly over a 10-12 hour period. The slow release of the remaining 70% is used to maintain the fraction that is instantly released... you will likely not feel ups and downs while the drug is in action.

Taking 18 mg Ritalin 3 times a day, you will feel a major difference when taking it, and when the pill wears out.

I also hear that when the efficacy of both drugs are compared, Ritalin's is greater. This means that you need a higher dose of Concerta to match the same dose of Ritalin.... or that you if you're switching from 54 mg of Concerta a day, to Ritalin, you will need less than 54 mg of total Ritalin per day to get the same effect. Do not quote me on this last point though--I have not completely researched this.

Well, the reason I'm think about switching is because I rarely ever need the full 10 hours that I get from the Concerta.

So my understanding is that Ritalin comes in 5mg, 10mg, and 20mg pills. Should I be asking for the 20mg, or do you think I'm better off with the 10mg?

My Doc prescribed me the 20mg tablets. We'll see ho they work after lunch.

Nice, good luck!

The previous information I mentioned can be found here:
http://www.addadhdblog.com/concerta-getting-the-right-dose/

The doctor who wrote that article seems reputable, but I have not researched it to the extent to know for sure. Anyway, according to the article 54 mg of Concerta should be equal to 12 mg of Ritalin three times a day.

If you find that 20 mg is too high you can always cut your 20 mg Ritalin in half (if it is the regular version and not extended release).

Yea, I'm liking the idea of the non-time released medication. It's more flexible, plus I can cut it like you said.

Also it comes generic unlike Concerta, so I save $15 a month.