Q is on a large dose of Concerta. (he has been on Ritalin or concerta for many years) I just read a study online, maybe referenced here??? that showed that there is NOT an increase in cardiac issues for people who have used it for long periods of time. We still always get checked, every three months. Including having ekgs once in a while. (he takes other medications that can be hard on the heart so we are especially careful).
My nephew is on 18 mg and had been upped but this year is better on a lower dose again (he is 13). He complains that kids think he is funny off of it, yeah, but he is in trouble funny...not actual funny.
Of course it is an amphetamine so not to be taken lightly. For us, I do believe it makes him more edgy than he even usually is but the trade off is that he is far less impulsive (hard to believe it is worse than it is from what I write but really, he is so unsafe he would need someone to hold his hand all day to keep him safe if he was not on this medication). I am grateful for it because out of all of our medications, this one is the one that allows him to be able to do anything with others in the community. Day ONE on it when he was 4 and in preschool the teacher called so excited because after two school years of teaching him, for the first time ever he sat during circle time with the class and listened to a story. It is that dramatic for him.
Just like anything, when it works it works, if it doesn't just make sure you let the doctor know and follow directions to stop. It is short acting in terms of not needing to build up so it is easier to have out of their system if you need to stop than some kinds of medications.
Hope it goes well...