The Forums › Forums › Medication › Medication isn't addressing any ADD issues › Re: Medication isn't addressing any ADD issues
Talk to your doctor about this.
Maybe it’s the dosage level and delivery system that are causing your problems. How high a dosage are you on? If you start too high, you’ll get the side effects you describe. Before trying a different drug, try a different dosage and delivery system of the same drug.
There is a HUGE difference between generic and branded Concerta. Branded Concerta uses a patented osmotic delivery system. Generic Concerta uses a simple slow-dissolving delivery system, which in NO WAY compares to the delivery system of branded Concerta. It’s explained here: http://totallyadd.com/generics-part-4/ complete with diagrams! Dr. Kenny Handelman also discusses the difference between generics and branded medications, on his blog: http://www.addadhdblog.com/adhd-medication-are-generics-the-same/#56545
Ask your doctor to prescribe Concerta, and HAND-WRITE “no substitutions” on the prescription. He must hand-write it, because pharmacists can ignore that instruction if it’s rubber-stamped or pre-printed on the prescription.
If you’re on a drug benefit plan like Trillium, which only covers the generic versions of drugs, you’ll have to pay the difference in cost. BUT! Janssen (the manufacturer of Concerta) has very thoughtfully set up its own drug assistance plan, which pays that difference for you. Ask your pharmacist about it, or, if you go to the official website (http://www.concerta.net ), you can register for a coupon good for a free 1-month supply, so you can see if it works for you. Of course, you’ll still need to get a prescription from your doctor.
As someone who’s tried both generic and branded, and learned about the differences between them, I now insist on only the branded.
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