Hi,

When I was found to have ADHD I was issued 90mg of concerta. 54+36.

Thats the almost equivlant (in ratio) to 25mg of Ritalin.

Now I was told it has nothing to do with weight. I'm about 88kg anyway, mid 20's.

The thing is, I think 90mg is just too much for me. Since its only 7 - 8 years old med, we know nothing of its long term usages. Most people I hear are taking 54mg. Only one I know takes 72 and I never heard of anyone with 90mg.

What is your taking on this?

I tried 72mg - I think it has the same effect. But the problem is, I'm not sure. I tried 54mg and I can't be certain at all! I feel like I'm really struggling with myself to know if its "good enough" and I can't make up my mind.


Now heres the trick. I can either buy 54+36 or 36+36 - and I dont know what to choose. I dont want 90mg cause I fear the high dosage. I dont want 54 cause I have no idea how to figure out if its enough.

72 sounds like a good compromise - but its still abit high and not being able to decide whether 54 is good for me really kills me!


What would you guys say if I still get 90mg. But I only take 36+36 (keeping the 54s), and on days I take 54, add a 10mg Ritalin pill every 5 hours ? Is that a bad mixture?



Sorry for the long messed post. Being an ADHD takes its toll on us all. Thanks!

I know this is not the type of answer you are looking for, but if you are questioning the prescription your doctor has given you perhaps you should find a new doctor.

I think these types of forums are great. They provide another data point for us based on other people's experiences - which is a great compliment to a doctor's less personal, experiential information. Having said that, I am really cautious to use these data points as a decision point rather than just a helpful data point.

With that said, let me attempt to provide my opinion:

- What is the downside of tapering up from the lower dosage as opposed to starting high. In other words, start at 54 for a couple of weeks to feel the effects of it and the side-effects. Then, you could up to 72 if you feel it's appropriate. Then, to 90 if you (and your doctor) feel the higher dose is needed.

Take it slow! No need to rush. you have lived your entire life without a med. No downside in a deliberate, slower, thought-ful approach. Make sure you try a dosage for at least a week. I find the first few days is not always representative of its longer term effects

Good Luck.

Hi, thank you for your reply :)

And you were right, it wasn't the kind of answer I was looking for - regarding both parts of it.

About the doctor - I've deserted my psychiatrist. I've lost faith in those. I might consider a coacher or some cognitive guidance later on - right now I dont have the time for it.


About the second part. I've known about my adhd for over a year now. I've been going from Concerta to Ritalin LA on a monthly basis (one day concerta, the other LA). Reasons are mainly sports and side effects.

I've always took 90mg Concerta, but dropped my LA dosage from 80 (!!!!) to 40. Only problem with the 40 is that after the 6th hour - its gone. No reason though to get back to 60 or higher.


When I take 10mg ritalin pills, I noticed I can handle 10mg and 15mg for about 3 hours. So I figured I could drop my concerta dosage too.

What you're suggesting is recalibrating everything on a daily basis. I'm not an ADHD on a daily basis - cause being ADHD on a daily basis puts me on drugs 24/7 and I dont want that. Methylphendiate deprives me of my personality, harms my body when I do sports and from time to time raises issues of depression. I dont want that.

So I take my drugs on days of studies, before tests, when I got long reports to write at work. I dont take it everyday. Most busy month I had meant taking methylphendiate for less than 20 days. Usually its just about 15 max.


Start from scratch means taking 54mg everyday, see where it works and where it doesn't. I dont have enough tools for that. Just stopping to think if I'm concerntrated puts me out of concentration. And since I'm not sure about 54 I'll just go nuts thinking it doesn't work. Psychologically I'm already adjusted to 90mg and that would be enough to force me not to accept 54 mg - making me believe it doesn't work.


My issues are too problametic for methyl. Even on 90mg I get distracted easily (less easily than without anything though). I dont take it for granted, but I'm not addicting my body and heart to these drugs. What ever people say about their safety - eventually its what you feel about yourself - and I feel bad. I feel bad physically and not spiritually. If I can't drop 90 to 72mg and less I'll be lost for good.

I tried 54mg today again. I can't say how good it was. On the one hadn I believed 72 works better. On the other, this might just be a side effect of me having no idea what I feel. Sticking to 54mg now would keep me thinking constantly about things I could achieve if I was sticking to 72, or 90. By just doing so I lose concentration.


I guess I won't find answers with concerta. I still got my doubts about everything, and this isn't helping at all.


Sorry for taking it out on the forum, and thank you for your answer, once again :)

Hmmm, when DS was switched from Ritalin to Concerta he was put on 54 mg. He had been on 40 mg of Ritalin and 54 was the equvilant.
There is a chart the dr's use and I know 54 was the equivialant b/c I saw the chart myself.
I'd be asking questions.