Methylphenidate XR vs Instant

[slumbers]

Hello. Wondering whether anyone has experience of both?

I am taking 27mg XR, (upped from 18mg a week ago) and have also been prescribed 5mg instant methylphenidate to take 'at night', to see if it helps mood swings/ struggle to sleep.

I have received Xaggitin in my prescription for the first time, when up until now have been on Concerta XR. On 18mg Concertq XR I felt instant results, but it faded quickly and felt it wore off too soon, considering it was supposed to be working for up to 12 hours. So! One week on 27mg, and the anxiety is hell, no appetite, muscle aches, and can't stop playing with my hair. A few days ago I tried one of the 5mg instant release pills, about 6.30pm, and felt nothing. Though, I did take a small snack before it, and nit sure whether it interferes, as there was no literature in the box, or printed on the box to advise me, and I was told I can eat before taking my XR dose.

Sorry this is taking me a while to get out, but got a few questions. 1 - would the switch yo a different brand me causing me side effects? I know the increase in dosage would have caused some, bit iya been a week and I still struggle.

2- should I have eaten before taking instant release?

3 - Are instant release better for people, if XR seem to drop out sooner than expected?

[May2022]

I strongly suggest communicating with your physician and being more involved in the care decisions they take. If you feel something is not working for you go back and ask questions and demand adjustments. It's their job so let them do it right. Good luck.

[slumbers in reply to May2022]

Hi there, and thank you for your reply.

I will take your advice and talk with them about it after the holiday. I am supposed to give this a couple weeks to kick in, but by the time stuff opens back up after NY, thay should be enough time to have let them adjust, I hope!

I have a hard time advocating for myself, and it had taken into my thirties for me to be diagnosed as ADHD inattentive type. I doubt myself all the time and this feels no different, but I will make a point of speaking up.

Many thanks again 🙏

[FindingTheAnswers]

Hi. I can't give you specific as to your situation, but just some general info. 1) Different brands and/or different dosages causing different side effects-Yes. Also a generic Rx could be made by several different companies. Each company will have a slight twist in the formula-so you may have to watch for this if you don't go with a name brand (of course, the insurance companies want you to go with a generic because they're cheaper).

2) Methylphenidate (Ritalin) doesn't work for me. I had no reaction to it. So I can't respond to that directly. I take generic Adderall. For Adderall, what you with it or is in your stomach may have an effect as to how soon it gets in your system (ex, taking Adderall with milk may let it kick in sooner).

- For me, it doesn't matter if I take IR or XR, neither lasts as long as they say it should.

From all that I've read, your Rx is all trial and error (and more frustration, expense, time).

A doctor may have a starting place when they prescribe an Rx. But no one can determine which Rx at what strength works best for you. Male/Female, Height/Weight, Age, etc, for the most part, it doesn't matter. We all have different body/blood/brain chemistry.

Keep going. Never give Up!

[Crystallady18 in reply to FindingTheAnswers]

Hi Finding the Answers…I want to thank you for your thorough answer, I myself haven’t tried any XR versions of either generic Adderall or Ritalin, but am in the midst of figuring out which generic IR of either works better for me. It’s a frustrating process , to say the least. I don’t think Ritalin works for me…and I swear the Adderall feels different every day that I take it. Sometimes it works more or less, seems to be super short acting, sometimes the second dose seems to linger and I have a tough time sleeping. Anyway, it’s just great to hear we are all different and this is all “normal” to have to find just the right dose at the right time, with the right food…etc

Thanks for sharing all that you did.

[slumbers in reply to FindingTheAnswers]

Hey. So I'm in the UK, and found out that recentlyish, they have asked docs to switch from XL Concerta to Xaggitin, as its cheaper. But feel like they should have warned me I was being switched, or at least mentioned it at my last appointment 8 days ago. I'll be bringing it up with the doc after the holiday. Though, feel like they'll just say that it's exactly the same drug.

I tried another instant release tablet last night, about 9pm, and didn't eat this time - felt it a little more, and was less impulsive and moody. I think it helped a little with the drop out from the XR, but also feel that I could do with taking one about 4/5pm, because that's when I notice the long acting stuff wearing off. Will bring that up also at my next appointment.

Thanks for your reply 👍 As Crystallady18 says, it's good to hear from others, and not feel like this is all in head with regards branding and dosages etc. Hope you all have a lovely NYE 😀