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15 Year Old Taking Concerta For Years. Lack Of Concentration, Underweight. Does Concerta Affect The Growth?
Hi
My son is 15 yrs old and has been on Concerta 54mg for 4 yrs. After a meeting at school it was revealed that he has absolutely no concentration at school, doesnt complete assignments or homework. He has failed the first term dismally. He is a very small boy, born 3 months prem, now weighs 38kg and is only 1.47 tall - We can't possibly increase the dosage. Does puberty affect Concerta? I have to do something, but not sure where to turn?
Nickey Grant
My son is 15 yrs old and has been on Concerta 54mg for 4 yrs. After a meeting at school it was revealed that he has absolutely no concentration at school, doesnt complete assignments or homework. He has failed the first term dismally. He is a very small boy, born 3 months prem, now weighs 38kg and is only 1.47 tall - We can't possibly increase the dosage. Does puberty affect Concerta? I have to do something, but not sure where to turn?
Nickey Grant
Fri, 19 Apr 2013
Hi Nickey,
It would be better if you could mention the symptoms at the time of starting therapy with Concerta (Methylphenidate), whether it required dose increment, any problems after starting the medicine.
It seems that your son has ADHD (Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder).
However, the answer of your question – Interaction of puberty and Methylphenidate is not clearly known yet. Studies have claimed that there is slower growth in children with anti ADHD medication. The children are lean and thin, underweight and shorter in height than kids of the same age without ADHD. The boys may enter the puberty at similar age but progress slowly. Moreover, there are social aspects like society’s interaction with these children which affect the psychosocial development.
I would suggest you not to change the dose of medicine by yourself. Please visit your doctor who follows up your son for the problems. Your son may need counseling.
Please post if you have more queries.
It would be better if you could mention the symptoms at the time of starting therapy with Concerta (Methylphenidate), whether it required dose increment, any problems after starting the medicine.
It seems that your son has ADHD (Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder).
However, the answer of your question – Interaction of puberty and Methylphenidate is not clearly known yet. Studies have claimed that there is slower growth in children with anti ADHD medication. The children are lean and thin, underweight and shorter in height than kids of the same age without ADHD. The boys may enter the puberty at similar age but progress slowly. Moreover, there are social aspects like society’s interaction with these children which affect the psychosocial development.
I would suggest you not to change the dose of medicine by yourself. Please visit your doctor who follows up your son for the problems. Your son may need counseling.
Please post if you have more queries.
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