Astroboy concerta releases 22% of the total dose fairly immediately (in the coating) and then trickles the rest of the dose through the day, theoretically maintaining that initial dose. So 18mg concerta is theoretically 4mg maintained for 12 hrs. It is quite a low dose. Every child is different but I find my DD is more teary/moody on too low a dose but doesn't eat or sleep on too high a dose and gets a bit too speedy/obsessive/odd. The day we tried her on Ritalin LA 30, which is actually two doses of 15mg, she counted every green street sign coming home (400 and something) and then decided to measure the largest room in the house, counting out every cm as she went. Neither of which is at all normal behaviour for her). It's been tricky for us finding the right dose but every time we've tried no meds it is immediately apparent how much better she is on than off.
