Switch from Vyvanse to Concerta?

Tanya - posted on 02/27/2013

My son was on Concerta for about a year and a half and was moved to Vyvanse. I've never hated anything more in my life. The Vyvanse has caused uncontrollable emotional outbursts, fits of rage and terrible behaviour. I have decided to take him off completely until able to get to the Dr. again.

Deborah - posted on 12/05/2012

My daughter is 12 and she has been on Vyvanse for about 2 years now. Lately (about 2 months now) she has been so angry. She is constantly complaining about everything, argues with everyone, and when we get into fights, then look in her eyes is scary! She has been diagnosed with ADHD, ODD, and Severe Anxiety and takes medicine for her anxiety also. I figured that some of her anger and arguing may have to do with hormones as she is in puberty but it is out of control. The worst times are in the afternoon and everning when the medicine has wore off. She does things just to start arguments and has no respect for anyone! She tells me at times that she doesn't mena to be this way but can't help it. I feel so bad for her! The other day, she had a check up with her psychiatrist and I told her what was going on. She said that she has seen this before in children that have taken Vyvanse for a long time. She told me not to give her any ADHD medication for the next 2 days and then she wants her to start on Focalin. OMG!! What a difference!! She was a little overactive for the 2 days but the respect she had for others and no arguing was amazing!!! She told me "Mom, do you think I'm acting happeir? Because I feel happier." I broke my heart to know that it was a medicine that I was giving her that was making her that way. If you notice a change in your child, PLEASE talk to your doctor!!

Jacqueline - posted on 10/10/2012

my son has aspergers and adhd hes been on concerta for the past year doing ok my problem is he has been complaining of sore bones this has been going on longer than hes been on the meds does anyone else have this problem.

George - posted on 10/05/2012

My son was diagnosed by a psychologist with ADHD at the age of 6. His doctor started him out on Vyvanse 20mg. Within few months, he was up to 40mg. He is now 7 and has been on 40 mg of vyvanse for a year. It works great until about 4 pm. Early in the morning before taking the med and after 4pm, he is a little "monster". Before the med kicks in and after it wears off around 4, my son becomes someone I do not know. He gets very angry, yells, very mean to his siblings. He has a hard time sleeping. Just the sleeping issue is taking its toll on me. My doctor recommended concerta. He stated concerta has three levels to the drug. It is slow releasing, and is time controlled. Due to the three tier and time control release and slow release, it last 12 hours. That would be great. We are going to try it for the first time tomorrow. I will be excited if I get my beautiful baby boy for the whole day at his sweet self, instead of just until approximately 3 to 4pm at best. God bless you all and thank you for your stories on concerta. It gives me the peace and confidence I needed as this is a new med that I never heard of. Thanks again.

Chalita - posted on 10/02/2012

My son took Vyvanse 30 for about a year. It made him a zombie. Yes he did good in school but socially, OMG, I wanted to know what happened to my baby. I didn't notice any anger while on the Vyvanse after it wore off. I took him off of the Vyvanse and his doctor put him on Concerta 36. He did great in school and he came back to himself and even told me that he felt normal on the Concerta. He is now on Concerta 54 and still doing good in school. However, once it wears off, I get to see him in rare form. He does have trouble sleeping at night. He tends to be a night owl, but I can give him the natural sleeping aid that you buy over the counter and he is fine. There is no anger or anything. As you say, each child is different and I believe that just from dealing with other children with this condition. I hope your son does okay with the Concerta. ((((HUGS)))) to you also.

Crystal - posted on 10/02/2012

Wow.... my son who is 7 has been on vyvanse 30 mg, with .15 respodone. a2months now, at first he was doing really good on it.... now he is very mad, angry, and everything sets him off, he always thinks people is starting stuff, and he hates people, crys constantly, and everyday routines.... it works great til 4 after 4pm, he becomes a handfull. He is now getting so mad @ my husband for telling him to do his 1 chore vaccum, that he says that he hates him, he wants him out of our family and he that he wants to kill himself. (This has caused major strain on our marriage.) This scares me tremendously because he is 7, I know that he needs his medications, and I have tried to talk to him, as to why he feels this way, and it just seems that he knew at the time that would hurt my husband's feelings. I am a little leary of giving him anything, I don't think any kid should want to kill themselves, especially over something so simple as a chore. Does anyone else have any suggestions of what I should ask for medicine wise to help this behavior? I don't need it to get worse. I need it to get better. Thanks for your help.

Chris - posted on 11/06/2010

My sons are on Vvyvance and are doing well. They were on concerta before that an had no appetite.

Becky - posted on 11/04/2010

36 mgs are pretty high. Concerta also maes a 27mg. When my son was in second grade he was on 18mg Concerta

Christine - posted on 11/03/2010

My son used to take concerta yrs ago and when it started to wear off it was l;ike he was going through withdrawl. he is now 13 and we finally have him stable and doing well with 50 mg vyvanse,60 mg of strattera and 2mg risperadal. he takes the risperal before bedtime and it makes him sleepy and help with anger. I have seen almost no side effects. For the first time in yrs he is active in sports ,doing great in school and socially. I would seriously recommend he stay on the vyvanse .Best of luck to u. My son was diagnosed at the young age of 4yrs and finally!!! we have been making progress over the last yr. best of luck

Kelly - posted on 11/03/2010

We found less of a reaction going on and coming off, but my son can't be on Concerta (although we like it better than Vyvanse) due to upset stomach issues.

Susan - posted on 11/03/2010

We tried a few meds before we started Vyvanse. We have been on Vyvanse for years and love it. My son is doing great in school and this has been such a blessing. But each child is different and each medicine works differently for each child Good luck....

Sue - posted on 11/03/2010

My son was on Concerta, and it went well for a year or two, but then it made him edgy and sick to his stomach. I found Vyvanse to work much, much, much better!

Chelle - posted on 11/03/2010

We have switched so many medicines over the years. Our son is 13 and was diagnosed at 6. We started on Strattera for a year, then moved to Concerta for two years, to Medadate for a year to Vyvanse for two years, in the last year we have swtiched back to Concerta.

Being on so many different medicines I can truly see a difference. When he was on Vyvanse, he was a zombie, comparing before-during-and after, he just 'went through the motions' of life, he was just blasey..that is until Vyvanse wore off. Everyone is different and reacts differently to different medications. The reasons we switched back to Concerta, I had always let him 'be in control' if the medicine did not make him 'feel right' to let me know (but I was able to see that he was getting depressed) in his words "the medicine makes me feel sad" He was a happy/angry person when Vyvanse wore off and 'whatever happens, happens person when it was in full vigor. Being back on Concerta has made a difference he is no longer moppy or zombied.

Karen - posted on 11/03/2010

We were on Vyvanse about 6 months ago ... sorry I cannot remember the dosage. Our biggest problem was the emotional outbursts. My son just turned 8. He would cry at the drop of a hat. We're on 54 mg Concerta and the mood swings have improved. The biggest problem is it takes a FULL HOUR to take effect in the mornings. He's very sassy and mouthy until the medicine takes effect and he turns back into my sweet little boy. I am very pleased with the increase in his appetite. And yes, each child is different. We are starting this year - 2nd grade - to have issues with social studies and science and retaining information and are working with the schools to test for qualifications for IEP and/or 504 plan.

Good luck and God bless.

Luanne - posted on 11/03/2010

My daughter was on Vyvanse for a year and I HATED it and I believe she did too. We moved to NC 2.5 yrs ago and her pediatrician put her on Concerta 36 mg and Prozac 10 mg. She is doing wonderful. It took some time to get to this point of the right dosage (had to work our way up). But I finally feel she is somewhat "normal". She goes to bed like my other girls with no problems or issues. She has a very hard time waking up for school, but otherwise her sleeping is much better. When she was on the Vyvanse it was HORRIBLE!!! She was mean, angry, cried everynight, was a complete nightmare to put her to bed. It was a year of hell for all of us. My best suggestion/advice would be to try the concerta for 3-6 mo and see if the changes work for you and your family. You'll never know til you try. Can't get any worse. Hope this helps.

Maxine - posted on 11/03/2010

hi my daughter has been on CONCERTA as well as RISPERIDONEfor about 1 year know and she take's 4 pill's in the moring, afternoon and let me tell when the do not kicking right away i know about it... she very hyper very fast and 1 wrong word trigger's and out burst....she has been disgnosed with HYPER MENTAL LEARNING DISORDER which way worse then a.d.h.d. and a.d.d. put together...

Melissa - posted on 10/29/2010

Have you thought of trying a natural supplement in addition to or by itself? My son uses a supplement (after he reacted to meds), and he's doing great. The mood swings "coming off" meds were too much. I'm a special ed. teacher, mom of 4 and a person with ADHD. I would love to give you some suggestions for your son in the classroom. Feel free to e-mail me at kidsfirst6@yahoo.com.

Kelly - posted on 10/29/2010

Thanks for your feedback. This is all so tough - on one hand the Vyvanse is awesome because he is great at school...but, man once it wears off he can be flat out MEAN and ANGRY which is not really his personality at all? I hope the Concerta will be the answer. Ugh.

Jenni - posted on 10/29/2010

My son is vyvanse 60 mg and he is doing great but it wears off once he is done with school when not suppose too. he also gives me a hard time after school and going to bed and getting up in morning.