prescription medicine not working the way it did?

[Anonymous]

I take medicine for ADD and my mom takes the same medicine, same dose. I went to a new psychiatrist (just moved here) and obviously went to a new pharmacy to get the prescription filled. For WHATEVER reason, it is not working the same way anymore. It is supposed to be extended release, but it lasts (in kind of a muted way) for about two hours and then I can't feel it. I thought I was going crazy (this is a drug I have taken for YEARS with great success) and then my mom offered to take one of them to see what she thought. Lo and behold - same thing. She swears there is something wrong with the pills and noticed exactly what I did.

What could this be? THey look exactly the same.. have the same writing on them etc so it's not like they gave me the wrong pill by mistake. I have a dr's appointment today but almost feel weird bringing this up because I know it makes no sense and I feel like he is going to think this is in my head. Thoughts???

[Anonymous]

Is it generic? Generic bioavailability is allowed to vary by up to 20% +/- from the brand. Get brand only if this is the case. If not, call the manufacturer.

[Anonymous]

I am pretty sure that it is not generic. The label says:

(In Bold) CONCERTA 36MG TAB (JANSSEN) #30
NDC# 50458-0586-01
Generic Name: METHYLPHENIDATE HCL TAB ER 36 MG

and then gives my info.

Could this mean that I did get the generic brand? I just don't think they'd put the name brand info on there (concerta) if it was generic. Right?

[Anonymous]

Any medicine that acts on the brain may stop working, work differently, work less effectively, or work differently in concert with other medication. Try keeping a journal for a week of what you are eating, what else you are taking, and how your medication is effecting you. If you are consistently not getting a good effect anymore, you are going to need to switch. Sorry, OP. This happens with a lot of brain medications. It's just a fact of life.