I really need to know before wednesday as that is when I go in for my second med eval. and am going to ask to switch from Adderall to either RitLA or Concerta. Is it just a brand name difference?

Ritalin LA and Concerta are time release versions of the same drug - methylphenidate. What's different is the mode of delivery. Concerta uses an "osmotic" method where the drug is delivered continuously over the day. Ritalin LA is a time release capsule and "is designed to deliver an immediate release of methylphenidate and a second equal release approximately 4 hours after administration. The medication is designed to mimic the pharmacokinetic profile of twice-daily Ritalin".
I don't know which one is better - it probably depends on the person. You might find that Concerta is a little "smoother", given the continous method of release.
I hope that helps.
Greg

Thanks Greg, your one response was better than what I could google in 2 hours :uhh:

BID=twice a day dosage
TID= Three times a day dosage.

.

That's interesting ... I found Ritalin LA to be "smoother" in its action than Concerta, and to last a bit longer. Your milage may vary, of course.

I guess that's why there are three or four different long acting versions of the same drug - one is not necessarily better than another

Interesting views
am switching to concerta after my finals from la 40 to concerta 54 hopefully, it'll be a shift for the better, will post views after I try it

Well people switched to concerta 54 finally...today is the 3rd day i'm on it..or mayb the 4th...
First two days the dry mouth side effect hurt .... in the sense it made the mouth more drier than usual.
In the morning I feel sleepy when i'm on it. I'm going to be taking the concerta and a 10mg ritalin generic to check the difference.
I think it wears off pretty quick I just don't feel the difference maybe also cuz my anxiety is really low now, since my semsetrers over...
Well lesse..wil post more..
tc

FYI--I came across two excellent articles that discuss and compare all of the long-acting formulations for methylphenidate (MPH, or Ritalin): Concerta, Metadate CD and Ritalin LA, as well as Adderall XR.
The articles very helpful in clarifying the differences between all these medications.
They are:

"Considerations in the Selection of a Long-Acting Stimulant Drug"
http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/464377_3

and

"Advances in the Pharmacology of ADHD"
http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/462703_1

I've tried both Concerta and Ritalin LA. For me, the Concerta seems to work better. It doesn't last quite as long (wears off an hour or two before the LA). Worse, with the LA, the 'crash' effects seem to last into the next day (if I don't take it again). I'll be moody the next day and not feel like doing much of anything. I don't see this with the Concerta. I suppose it could be due to other factors, and not necessarily the Ritalin.