Doctors usually start at a low dose to begin with and then increase the dosage if there is no change. My son used to take 20 mg. of the short acting Focalin and that is about equivalent to 40 mg. of Ritalin--that's for the short acting medication. He was taking 72 mg. of Concerta in middle school and his early teens. He is now on Vyvanse.

Sometimes individuals will respond better to one medication than another, so its trial and error. But before switching, the dosage should be increased unless you are having severe side effects.

Some studies have shown that those with the inattentive ADHD respond better to Adderall or Vyvanse rather than the methylphenidate. But again, it's an individual thing. Don't give up too soon.

Dosage is more dependent on relief of symptoms than on one's weight. I don't know if you still have anxiety problems that need treated but if someone has anxiety that is untreated, the stimulants may make the anxiety worse. Our doctor always treats the anxiety first before treating the ADHD, unless the anxiety is purely caused by the ADHD.

Elaine

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When I first started ritalin it took up to two weeks to notice a difference. This isn't imediate. It takes time. Try it for 30 days and ask friends and family if they notice a difference. I upped my anti depressant meds and within a week I was getting praise for my change in behavior.

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Ritalin LA 20 mg at 6 or 9 am depending on the time I get up. Ritalin 10 mg 2pm . I also had been on Welbutrin XL 150mg but I no longer taking this one. Ritalin has the ability and likely hood to decrease your appetite and after it wears off you may have a very large carbo need. I would see a therapist not just a MD for this meds because there are other you can take depending on of the type of ADD/ADHD symptoms you poccess. I eat before I take my meds and carry protein with me and take a handful of whatever in between the day. It is very hard for me to eat again a meal until 7pm ; but if you keep yogurt, protein bars , nuts carrots etc. around you can and should pick through out the day. Start taking a vitamin in your age range becausee if over age of menopause no need for iron in a vitamin. Ritalin I notice begins to work in 30 minutes after I take it just because I am feeling more attentive, not as distractable , not as irritable and no matter what is in front of me no appetite. Remember these meds work but when they wear off it is expected that your ADHD sysmptoms will return the same day or night. LA drugs last about 10-12 hours the regular SR will last anywhere from 12 hours or 24 hours dose with no initals after it tend to last about 6 hours some people are sensitive enough they last maybe 8 hours. Drink throughout the day water and if you like them smoothies or shakes they have aload of calories especially if you are prone to weight lose issues

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Today is my first day on Ritalin (5 mg), and my doctor made it clear to me yesterday that anything is subject to change depending on effect - it is totally up to me (within reason). If one does nothing try two next time, and if that has no effect try three, or four. I took one when I got up at 3:30 this morning and felt nothing, so 20 minutes ago at 9 I took two and right now it feels like my foglights have suddenly turned on so two might be my optimum dose. As long as your heart and blood pressure are in good shape there's not a lot of risk. Back in the 70's I used to take 50mg of pharmaceutical methedrine and spend the day sitting under a tree and meditating (that should have been a clue!). Since I've been ADD for over 50 years I guess I've learned a little patience and that would be my advice - you may have found the antidote to a lifetime of grief so don't be in a rush. You've got the rest of your life to work out the details.

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