Do you have to start at a low dose when switching ADHD medications?

[ADHD2024]

Sorry this might be a dumb question, I tried googling it but nothing seems to come up...

Just started Xaggatin 36mg yesterday from previously on Concerta 54mg as it wasnt working...just wondering if I should have started with 18mg and work up to 36mg?

I have been given both 18 +36mg dosages to take the 18mg as a booster in the afternoon, but this medication doesn't seem to be doing anything for me either!! 😕

[STEM_Dad]

I've heard mixed information.

Typically, a doctor starts the patient at a lower dose, then works up to higher dosages in order to find what's most effective.

However, I have heard of doctors who would start at higher dosage, to try to find the most therapeutic dosage sooner.

Doctors vary in their experience with patients taking ADHD medication, and they lean on their own experience to guide them. (Some follow very strict recommendations. Others are more willing to try something new.)

When on doubt about medication questions, ask your doctor. Be partners with them in your care.

[ADHD2024]

Thanks STEM_Dad

The next follow up I have is in a couple of weeks, and I was just worried I had missed a piece of vital information regarding changing medication!

[Mamamichl]

concerta didn’t work for me either. They have me on amphetamine mix (I think that’s adderall). The mg dosages can be way different. The pharmacist can help you compare dosages. One med would be high at 27 and the other won’t be high until 52. Talk to your doc about low to high dosages and compare them. I was on 10 of the amphetamine mix immediate release and the doc just moved me to 15mg extended release. It was a comparable dose since one goes that much med over 24 hours and the other does 10 over 3-5 hours.