I have been on Concerta ER 54mg and went off for over a year. Now I'm restarting and still had a half bottle from a year ago that I brought to my appointment with my GP. He's not the one who prescribed it. I don't think he's comfortable prescribing it so he told me to just start that old bottle. I'm not comfortable going from zero to 54. I can't cut it in half as it is extended release. Or is there a safe way to cut a 54 in 4 equal pieces to start out?
Restarting Concerta 54mg, is 54mg too much to start out with? Or can they be safely split?
Question posted by Arion7777 on 7 Dec 2018
Last updated on 8 December 2018 by smileyhappy
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Answers
smileyhappy
8 Dec 2018
Call the pharmacist to get the doctor to prescribe a lower dose to start. It’s been too long since you stopped.
Sidekick55
8 Dec 2018
Do not cut it. 1) it’s not evenly distributed throughout the pill and 2) cutting it makes it immediate release. Therefore you’d end up with either 0 or 54 mg of immediate release Ritalin in you which is bad news. I think you’d survive starting at 54 since you’ve taken in the past but you might be really anxious.
Related topics
concerta, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (adhd), prescription, emergency room
Further information
- Concerta uses and safety info
- Concerta prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Concerta (detailed)
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