<p>S will be starting college in August. He has taken Concerta for the last four years, consuming it at breakfast. It wears off in the midafternoon, after school. I am worried what will happen if he has classes in the mid to late afternoon as a first semester freshman. Any thoughts/suggestions as to what the options may be? Is there a time-release medication that would carry him further thru the day?</p>
<p>We have not seen the doctor on this yet, I thought I would ask for ideas here first.</p>
<p>There are some ADHD meds that can be given twice a day. My son has taken metadate once at 7 and again at 2:30 and it works well into the eve for homework. Talk to your doctor.</p>
<p>I have taken meds that can be taken twice a day, and I have taken extended release medications that last into the early evening if taken once in the morning-- which is definitely my preference.</p>
<p>I meant to write metadate cd, which is extended release. It’s supposed to last 8 hours but it may be shorter, like 6 to 7 hours.</p>
<p>I thought Concerta was supposed to last 12 hours. If it is wearing off before then, he may need a larger dose. He may also find that, unless he has early morning classes, he is able to take it a little later in the day at college.</p>
<p>There is also a patch now that is time released. I don’t know what it is called. Definitely talk to your doctor before your son heads to school.</p>
<p>This was the type of input I was looking to get before we go to the doctor. I will do some research on your suggestions and be able to discuss them with the doctor from an informed perspective. Thanks again.</p>
<p>another medication with 12 hr effect is Vyvanse–also helpful to have short acting medication to take on days the student may not want or need full day medication, but needs it later in the day to study/write paper.</p>
<p>It’s very common to supplement concerta with ritalin IR in the late afternoon/early evening. When I was on concerta I did. And it worked wonders for extending the medication effectiveness well into the evening.</p>
<p>Vyvanse is what i take,and it works wonders.</p>