AboutDr Billy Levin Expertise All questions related to medical diagnosis ,treatment ,councilling ,remediation and monitoring medication in ADHD and co morbid conditions.
Experience
Past/Present clients Mainly children, some Adults with ADHD and co-morbid conditions, country wide.
Question my son is 8years old, he is currently on 90mg of concerta ( 54mg + 36mg )all the info i have read with regards to concerta including the insert in the bottle of concerta, states that max dose per day is 54mg and up to 72mg in adolescents, or max 2mg perkg. my son ways 32kg. is this dose to high, will it have adverse effects, is it dangerous?
Answer As I have not examined him I can only comment ,not advise.The gold standard is Ritalin(Methylphenidate) as it has been around the longest and has the longest track record. Concerta is also Methylphenidate. The suggested maximum dose for Ritalin is 60mg /day, unrelated to age or weight, but to response. Authorative research suggests it is` possible to give as` much as 200mg Ritalin in certain unusual cases. This is not the manufacturers suggestion.
Concerta 54mg is equal to 45mg of Ritalin. Thus 90mg of Concerta is equal to 75mg Ritalin, a little over the suggested 60mg but certainly possible in certain cases. If the dose has been titrated using rating scales to an established optimal dose, if should have no serious long term side effects. Obviously if it is an overdose for a particular person ,that is a different matter. Methylphenidate is a relatively safe medication. As long as it is correctly used, it has no long term serious side effects. If you are anxious, speak to your doctor.
