How long should I try a new medication?

[gettingitdone]

Hello. I just started Concerta two weeks ago. 1st week 18mg absolutely no response, 2nd Week 27mg and only experiencing headache and tiredness about 6 hours after taking it. My question is, how long do you trial this medication before calling it quits and trying something else?

[theBEAUTYofADHD]

From what I read you should reap the effects of the medication after 1 hour of taking your first capsule. If its not working more time wont make it work. If you want to be on a non-stimulant I read better things about wellbutrin than I have about any other nonstim meds. Maybe give that a try, its treats depression along with helping adhd symptoms.

[gettingitdone in reply to theBEAUTYofADHD]

Thanks for your response. I don't have signs of depression, classic adhder. So I would like to at least try the traditional options first for treating adhd. I will let my doctor know and see what he thinks we should do.

[Birdwatcher19]

With stimulants, you should at least notice some positive benefits the same day you take them. If you’re getting no effect after a week, generally you would either try increasing the dose or moving to a different medication. Usually, if methylphenidate doesn’t work, you’d try an amphetamine product (Adderall, Vyvanse, etc.). Personally, I tried Concerta for 5 days and found it less effective for me than the short-acting methylphenidate, so I went back to that. When I asked my doctor if I should give it more of a chance, she said 5 days was long enough to know if it was working or not.

[gettingitdone in reply to Birdwatcher19]

Thank you for your response, Very helpful. I just want to make sure I am giving it a fair shot. Question is how long is too long? So thanks for the info. Sometimes I don't like to run to my doctor with any little question before my scheduled appointment, glad I found this place! I also had to pay around $60 for a 30 day supply. I am willing to pay that if it is something that will help me, however so far I haven't noticed a positive impact.

[natkevjus]

I was also initially placed on the lower dose for a week than 3 weeks on 27 the to come to 54mg, It helped me but do to costs have been put on a cheaper brand(App-Methylphenidate ER) which don't work as well for me but still helps

[gettingitdone in reply to natkevjus]

Same here with a price issue. My insurance needs a prior authorization that could take up to two weeks every time the dose changes. So I chose to use a goodrx coupon until we get the dose right. $60 for a 30 day supply was somewhat reasonable for me as a temporary option. Thank you for your response.

[natkevjus in reply to gettingitdone]

Well I was using Concerta 54mg and it cost me almost $140.00 for a month supply with only a dispensing fee of $4.49 so the absolute cheapest I could find. I do not have insurance to cover it. Now with my change in Medication it cost me $2.47 per pill which still has no insurance, due to this I am really unable to take daily so I make it last as long as possible. I am in Canada if this makes a difference, I don't know.

[Dodger09]

I would give it a few days to a week max if you have side effects and a month if it’s just a dosage increase that’s needed. It can be hard to find the correct medication at the correct dose. Can you explain the cost issue with your doctor and ask for a week at a time of the medication until you find one that works? Also make sure you google the manufacture and fine discount cards online that you can take to the pharmacy, it will greatly reduce the price. These can be used with your health insurance (for those that have private health). Also I. The USA you can shop pharmacies as different ones charge different rates.