I was prescribed Concerta off label for bipolar depression as nothing else worked then I discovered I was ADHD. Can I be bipolar and ADHD? Why has Concerta suddenly stopped working and just makes me sleepy despite different doses and time experiments . I stopped talking it for 2 day’s and was extremely depressed. If I take a certain length of time off taking Concerta will it work again ? I tried Elvanse and it didn’t work at all so could an NNRI like reboxetine which worked for 2 years be mixed with Concerta as it won’t work for me without taking it with 30mg of caffeine anyway which my ADHD specialist doesn’t get? I can’t get in touch with him for any advice . The depression has gone but I was diagnosed ultra rapid bipolar disorder then not sure as I can’t get an answer to if I’m both ?? Do I need a stimulant holiday and for how long? I’m 53 and only just found this perfect medication with no depression or mania at all and don’t understand why it’s stopped. I can’t up the Concerta I’m already on more than maximum dose !! Any advice welcome thanks
Methylphenidate - Why has Concerta stopped working fantastically all of a sudden after 7-8 months?
Question posted by Nobby1966 on 28 Oct 2018
Last updated on 24 December 2021 by Ty1978
Since I submitted this question I’ve tried vyvanse or elvanse as it’s called in Scotland where I live in the Uk . I seem to need such a high level of dopamine to function I’m on 70 mg after 2 day’s on 50 mg . It’s working brilliantly but I’m surprised it only works for 5 hours absolute max which isn’t long enough as I’m taking it for treatment resistant bipolar depression as well as adhd so I need it to work until bedtime. I come down with a crash taking it at 7.30 am and crashing badly by 2pm at latest !! I’ve read 70 mg is the max dose but I’ve also read people are on 100 mg split into 2 doses , I have got an appointment with my adhd specialist on the 13/11/18 but would welcome any advice on what to suggest to him, can you mix NNRI meds with vyvanse. There seems to be a lot more drug choice in America, we only have Ritalin which I didn’t like, concerta or elvanse (vyvanse) stimulants are the only drugs that keep me out of major depression spells though I do take 1 day off a week. Any experience advice would be most welcome . I take diazepam to help the crash and quetiapine 25mg rarely if I haven’t slept for a few days but never take these until night time Thanks
3 Answers
Have you been tested for Narcolepsy?
Concerta ER® has an "osmotic-release" delivery system (O.R.O.S.) that provides an even 12-hour benefit. fDA recognizes only two brands: Concerta ER® by Jessisen Pharmaceutical and "Patriot" (a subsidiary of Jennissen) as having that micro-drilled slow-release caplet form of delivery with 12-hour half-life benefit.
Other brands of Methylphenidate ER are layered dissolving tablets and have half-life of 8 hours, and less consistent medication release -- and are NOT recognized by FDA as true equals to original Concert ER® by Jennisen Pharmaceutical (or it's subsidiary "Patriot" brand). Depending on dosage (the higher the dosage, the more critical the release mechanism), an extended-release methylphenidate (especially if in multiple tablets) may allow varying medication concentrations in the bloodstream, causing "hyperactivity" or poor drug reaction -- apparently without consistency in the patient.
For me personally, 72 mg of Concerta ER®, was reasonably helpful. But the same dosage of generic extended-release generic methylphenidate frequently caused periods of incessant talking, virtually "hyperactive", and often dropping down to drowsiness. The "hyperactive" periods were simply not tolerable by my wife of 44 years, my family, business clients, and others -- it drive them away from me.
If one MUST take generic E-R methylphenidate, try spacing the dosage out by several hours per tablet to minimize hyperactive state brought on by 8-hour dissolution, in lieu of 12-hour slow release of genuine Concerta ER®.
I have noticed that when I started taking Concerta I was taking the brand label and I
was having good results. Then after about 2
or 3 months my insurance switched me over
to the generic form, for cost savings. Almost
immediately I noticed a difference in the
medication. It seemed to not have the same
strength as before and also it didn’t last
nearly as long. The first few months it lasted for 12 or more hours. Then with the generic
it seemed to last less than 8 hours. I talked to my treating physician about this but he
seemed to take the company line that generics are just as good as the name brand.
So what do I do next?
Any ADD medication should Almost always cause an upper effect. If you find it is making you sleepy I think it’s interacting with one or more of your medications.
Yes you can be bi polar and ADD ADHD at same time.
Thanks for answering, I’ve been on the same other meds, non for bipolar as nine work, all the time the concerta has been working so I don’t think it’s that? Maybe you could help answer why I’ve started vyvanse which works well so maybe I needed a change in stimulants but though on 70 mg I’m crashing after 3 day’s after 5 hours when it’s supposed to last 12 hours ? Thanks again I appreciate you taking time to reply
Related topics
concerta, depression, bipolar disorder, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (adhd), methylphenidate, prescription, severe mood dysregulation
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