Skip to main content

Methylphenidate for ADHD User Reviews (Page 3)

Brand names: Ritalin, Concerta, Jornay PM, Ritalin LA, QuilliChew ER, Daytrana, Quillivant XR, Metadate CD, Cotempla XR-ODT, Adhansia XR, Aptensio XR, Relexxii, Methylin Methylin ER …show all brand names

Methylphenidate has an average rating of 7.0 out of 10 from a total of 844 reviews for the treatment of ADHD. 59% of reviewers reported a positive experience, while 18% reported a negative experience.

Reviews for Methylphenidate

  • net
  • December 13, 2019

Ritalin (methylphenidate) "I have ADHD and today was my first day on Ritalin and it sucked! The effects lasted for an hour and when it did work I felt like a zombie and didn't want to move. It also made me tired and kinda sensitive to sound. And, it didn't even make me feel focused so really, whats the point?"

2 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
61 Report
  • marie
  • Taken for 10 years or more
  • May 13, 2023

Ritalin (methylphenidate) "I had ADHD for many years. It already saved my life. Clarity, concentration, memory, work, focus, I stopped drinking, began to work, be stable, organized, serious, focused, had good work, and could pay my bills. A month ago a doctor I didn't know removed my life saver saying I didn't have ADHD and never had... which is false, multiple doctors in the past have confirmed I have ADHD. This random doctor ruined my life. I'm not functional, have apathy, anhedonia, memory loss, depression, can't drive, can't concentrate, can't focus, trouble paying things, narcolepsy, feel depressed, cant work, cant find initiative. I look forward to finding my Ritalin back. Depression sucks. Just need it to live. It was my lifesaver. Good luck."

10 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
22 Report
  • 29 fe...
  • April 15, 2018

Concerta (methylphenidate) "I grew up with severe panic attacks. When I was 19, up until the age of 27, I stayed in my room. I couldn't leave my house. I had/have severe anxiety and depression. Years went by and I lost hope. I didn't have a job; I was a loser. I took a mindfulness class and after each mindfulness tape, I noticed I was in extreme pain; more so than the other people sitting around me. It was then that I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia. I was prescribed Adderall and Vyvanse for my ADHD but they made me extremely tired. Currently, I am on Cymbalta, Concerta, and Remeron. With this combination, I began a full-time job. I have been employed for 7 months, and I would be lost without Concerta. If you're looking for a drug that is similar to Wellbutrin, Concerta is the answer. Do not give up hope. Never give up hope. Don't take 'no' for an answer, and if a doctor is diagnosing you incorrectly, leave and find a different doctor. There is a right combination of medication out there for you. Never give up!"

10 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
74 Report

Frequently asked questions

  • Fuzzy
  • June 6, 2019

Concerta (methylphenidate) "My daughter was 9 when she was diagnosed with ADHD, but I always knew, but figured if it didn't effect her schoolwork, why treat it. Well, come 4th grade her teacher commented that her grades are okay, but she's much brighter than what she displays and is completely distracted. Just a week or so before the teacher meeting, I was just starting to think I would get her evaluated since she started to hate herself, getting in her own way (you ADHD folks know what I mean by that). She was put on Concerta and is now in honors math and a straight A student. The best part was seeing her go from hating herself to loving herself and her owning how bright she is. People would tell her she's bright, but she just didn't believe it until she was able to work up to her full potential. Also, afterwards I was diagnosed with ADHD and am having great success with Ritalin and will be switched to Concerta at my next visit."

10 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
63 Report
  • Suzxcy
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • April 27, 2021

Ritalin (methylphenidate) "(F35) Like many others I went through many different antidepressants and mood stabilizers, even EMT and nothing would help me with depression, lack of attention and energy. When I was finally diagnosed with ADD, I was worry because I am bipolar, that the medicine would make me hypomanic, but quite the opposite, it makes relax, focus, I don't need to spend the afternoon in bed like I used to. I can finally go back to work full time. For me, is best to not take it in the morning when I am more fresh, and wait until I have the afternoon crash, that happens between 12 and 2. I try to do a single dose of 10 mg, unless I have to work after 5, in that case I take the second. I also try to take it only 3 or 4 days a week, to avoid tolerance and become too dependent. It does increase my anxiety a bit in the nights, but nothing too serious."

10 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
44 Report

Are you taking this medicine?

  • Felli...
  • Taken for 5 to 10 years
  • June 12, 2013

Concerta (methylphenidate) "When I was about 13, the school psychologist who I was seeing for behavior problems suggested to my mother that I start taking Ritalin. I was hyperactive, could not focus, blurted things out, and was generally viewed as a weirdo by my peers. My mother refused to follow the psychologist's advice because she 'didn't want me on medicines'. The same diagnosis and suggested treatment followed the next year and the year after by the psychiatrist who I was referred to. Eventually, I dropped out of school, somehow managed to get my GED, and enroll in college. I decided a few years ago to see a doctor and he prescribed Concerta. I am now able to follow through on projects and not feel like a failure, frustrated all the time. It has really worked for me."

10 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
110 Report
  • Richd...
  • May 5, 2009

Ritalin (methylphenidate) "I love Ritalin. I have a wonderful peace that I never had before. I am 61 years old and have just started taking it for the last few weeks. I can actually concentrate now. I am not so fidgety. I wish I had this about 55 years ago. One thing I noticed, I am dreaming where I don't remember dreaming in years."

10 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
139 Report

More FAQ

  • Anonymous
  • October 8, 2014

Metadate CD (methylphenidate) "My 9-year-old son has been on Metadate 20mg for over a year now. Only side effect is a loss of appetite, so I make him eat a big breakfast. He only takes it on weekdays for school, it has really helped him focus. My son's grades improved from 60s to 90s. I like Metadate because by the time he's out of school, the medication has worn off and he's back to his normal active self. During the summer, I also give him a break from the med and we do not have to taper off in order for him to stop. We've tried other medications that had not-so-good side effects. Metadate so far is the best."

9 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
98 Report
  • Jonahs...
  • August 11, 2015

Metadate CD (methylphenidate) "My son has been on this medication for 4 years. He's now on 40 mg, and it has been a godsend! He went from Ds and Fs to As and Bs. It wears off after school, but as long as he makes it through school, that's all that matters to me! I would recommend this medication to any parent. It truly has helped our son and brings out the best in him!"

10 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
91 Report
  • Anonymous
  • November 7, 2018

Ritalin (methylphenidate) "I'm 54 yrs old and recently started taking 10mg once a day, 5x a week (usually weekdays). After years of talking about projects and ideas, it is now quite easy to get and stay on task. It's not like I didn't get things done before, but now I am motivated to complete tasks. In the past, most projects that required any substantial amount of time to complete would immediately be put on the back burner. Now I feel motivated to see them through. In the past I would self-medicate with large amounts of coffee, but that only lasted for so long. Now, I have switched to Decaf and take medication once I get to the office. My dosage is minimal at this point and have a follow-up to see where I'm at in regards to possibly changing the dosage in a couple weeks. With my dosage (immediate release) I can tell the medication is kicking in as I start to feel warmer. That takes about 30 minutes. As others have stated, this dosage last about 4-5 hours. So far so good."

10 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
63 Report
  • Jennie
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • February 4, 2021

Concerta (methylphenidate) "I've been on Concerta for a few weeks now, I was just recently diagnosed with ADHD and it's my first medication. I am a 15 year old female. I started with 18 mg but didn't feel any difference. It only decreased my appetite (I lost about 5 lbs a week) to the point where I became underweight. My doctor recently upped my dose to 36mg and I feel worse than before. I've been having a hard time falling asleep and have slept very restlessly. I am still losing weight. I've also noticed that I feel more moody and impulsive. And I have been hyper fixating more and lashing out on my family. I have a doctor's appointment next week where I hope to switch medications."

3 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
43 Report
  • Maxime...
  • Taken for 2 to 5 years
  • January 5, 2015

Concerta (methylphenidate) "Worked for me the first year I took it but then it started to have really bad side effects. I have ADD but I don't have hyperactivity and I was getting socially awkward and having anxiety and even depression. I don't recommend it for someone who's not hyperactive."

5 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
92 Report
  • Anony...
  • Taken for 6 months to 1 year
  • November 6, 2023

Jornay PM (methylphenidate) "It works amazing!!! I 110% recommend it. I can finally get up in the morning without the stress of actually getting up (if you know, you know). I feel so much more motivated and can actually do my work! My appetite doesn't seem affected too. I still eat good food during the day, hehe. Just make sure you make a habit of taking it by 7-8pm."

10 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
13 Report
  • Linds
  • Taken for 2 to 5 years
  • March 16, 2017

Concerta (methylphenidate) "I'm 21 and I've been taking 72mg (two 36mg barrels) a day since I was about 17. Concerta changed my life. I was failing school and no matter how hard I tried, it didn't change anything. I became depressed, slept for 14+ hours a day, I gave up. Then I was prescribed and it changed my life. It keeps me focused, motivated, and energized. Though, the side effects are very real. I don't sleep much, which is why I usually don't take it on weekends to catch up on sleep. It kills my appetite, so I eat a big breakfast before I take it in the mornings. It does elevate my anxiety, and not saying it's something I suggest.. but I smoke cigarettes to help that. Oh, and I don't know if this is common or not.. But it keeps my digestive track regular!"

10 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
72 Report
  • Every...
  • Taken for 6 months to 1 year
  • December 14, 2022

Jornay PM (methylphenidate) "Jornay PM is outstanding for me and my dd. Nothing has worked like this for me and I’m 38 and have been treated for ADHD since 12. I didn't like taking meds. I’d throw them away after my parents gave it to me but by college I needed it and took adderall a needed. It worked but I went to Vyvanse 10 years ago. Vyvanse worked but took forever to get going and I became moody and irritable later in the day and felt terrible. It was very hit or miss…depended on how much I was able to eat. I don’t know about most ADHD adults but when I have a bad mood day, I feel like a failure. My psychiatrist had me try this a year ago and I first was on 60 mg of J. I was on 40 of V and was freaked I’d have issues. I took J that night and woke up the next morning with a clear head and I was ready before I had to get my kids up! All has been great but had a job change and my days are longer. My doc gave me 80 last mo. and J works longer now!"

10 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
23 Report
  • Saman...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • April 15, 2015

Concerta (methylphenidate) "I've been taking Concerta for the past five months. When I first began taking it, I would get headaches and appetite problems, but those side effects disappeared after about three weeks on it. Concerta has not only improved the amount of work I'm able to accomplish, it's improved my self-esteem as well. I no longer feel as shy and cluttered as I did before I started taking Concerta. I like that it lasts throughout the entire workday, so I don't have to worry about redosing. Overall, Concerta has been a very positive experience for me."

9 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
85 Report
  • Omega...
  • Taken for 1 to 2 years
  • October 13, 2018

Concerta (methylphenidate) "This drug is a life saver. If it wasn't for this drug I would be failing in college and sleeping all day. Concerta has help me study and lessen my depression symptoms. Its definitely worth the risk. The only downside to this drug is that it doesn't last 12 hours well at least for me. It lasts like 9 to 10 hours. Also as with other ADHD medicines, you can become tolerant to the point you don't notice it working. My grades improved with this medicine and I was able to write a 10 page paper in the 12th grade and a 25 page paper in my junior year of college. I'm even more organized outside of school. I wash my clothes and shower more on this medicine. I can finally read more without getting mentally tired as much. I wouldn't be able to pass my classes in college if it wasn't for concerta. EVERYBODY with ADD OR ADHD should try medicine for it. I recommend concerta because it lasts throughout the day. It lasts longer than ritalin."

8 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
59 Report
  • Anonymous
  • April 3, 2012

Daytrana (methylphenidate) "My husband and I didn't believe in ADD. My child's doctor said that he would only medicate if my child's grades were suffering. We postponed medication until my son was in the 5th grade and grades started plummeting. He is not hyper or misbehaved but has difficulty focusing, completing tasks, and becoming overwhelmed. We tried other medicines, but Daytrana was for us. No fuss to take medicines. No sudden drop in mood. No depression. The only drawback was itchy skin, but he overcame this and difficulty removing the backing, but over time this becomes easier. I would recommend this. Do not give up on your child. ADD is real!"

9 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
103 Report
  • C11
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • February 2, 2020

Concerta (methylphenidate) "I've struggled with ADHD and depression for about half my life, I started this medication around 3 months ago. I take the 54 mg dose. I've tried probably every antidepressant there is, and quite a few for anxiety. But this I think personally Concerta has helped quite a bit in regards to both. Because of it I've been able to wean off my antidepressant and no longer have to take it. The appetite suppressant does help me out since I'm working on weight loss, but it can also be a struggle to eat at times or find a food that is appetizing in general because of it. And the medication can cause constipation and dry mouth, which is inconvenient. Overall, I think it's helped me a lot in focusing on course work and it's intended purpose."

9 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
48 Report
  • HLK
  • Taken for 2 to 5 years
  • April 10, 2024

Concerta (methylphenidate) "I'm 18F with strong hyperactivity, less issues on the inattentive side. My main reason to pursue medication for ADHD was that my brain was so disorganized that it made it hard to remember things, do tasks correctly, and work up the motivation to do things. Adderall slowed down my brain in a way that was unnerving. I owe a lot of my exercise, conversational skills, and artistic passion to my hyperactivity, so that wasn't an option. I started 18mg Concerta, and it wasn't a huge difference in the way I thought, but it made my brain just organized enough to allow me to reap the benefits of my ADHD without being overwhelmed by everyday responsibilities! It also has no withdrawal (apart from ADHD symptoms worsening) making it a low-risk treatment that you can easily discontinue in the event of an emergency. Higher doses will definitely make it hard to eat, though! I also do have trouble sleeping on it if I take it too late, so I set an alarm for 7:30 am every morning to take it."

10 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
6 Report
  • Cano
  • September 14, 2019

Concerta (methylphenidate) "Concerta is by far better then other ADHD meds such as Adderall in my experience. Is a milder and much better helps where it needs to and doesn't make me feel sick like Adderall did. I recommend this for also of you have anxiety. Adderall made my anxiety worse on it . Concerta helped me feel also less anxious because I have ADD and anxiety this helped so much ."

10 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
50 Report
  • Crit
  • December 13, 2012

Ritalin (methylphenidate) "I have been on Ritalin for 5 months now and it works great for my ADHD. I wish I would have been on it when I was in high school; maybe I would have finished high school. I am 25 years old and I'm going for my G.E.D. so I can go to college. I am so happy now; I can concentrate and do things that I was never able to do. The only con is that it is not lasting as long as it did when I first got on it. I really believe Ritalin saved my life."

9 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
96 Report
  • Oldish...
  • March 1, 2020

Ritalin (methylphenidate) "I'm 56 year old male. 87kg. Recently diagnosed ADHD as Im easily distracted & can't concentrate easily. I'm in good health, and successful & don't get depressed. Unfortunately Ritalin has NO effect on me at all. I have no feeling of it coming on or wearing off. All I get is a dry mouth at higher doses. I began fast release 10mg @ 8am & 10mg @ 1pm. The upped to 20mg am & 20 mg pm. Then 30 & 30. Nothing. No affect or change in how I feel. Then tried Slow release SR 40 mg am & 40mg arvo. Still nothing. Then tried 20mg Fast with 40mg SR in morning. But was distracted on phone & mistakenly took same dose 15 min later. So 120mg in one hit. I expected to have heart racing & some sort of 'buzz', but NOTHING Very disappointing Would like to try Adderall or similar"

1 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
46 Report
  • Moona
  • November 15, 2013

Concerta (methylphenidate) "I'm a 15-year-old girl who started off with Vyvanse for a year but became anorexic. I switched to Concerta! The first couple of years, I felt so amazing because I have never experienced what it felt like to succeed after trying so much. Then I got to High School. My meds ended a relationship. I was always paranoid and extremely nervous. I am like a robot now. I'm either extremely emotionless, really mad, or really paranoid. My friends tell me that it's like talking to a stranger. I get frustrated so easily and don't care about anyone or anything around me. I don't want to be taken off my meds because I'm really successful. But should I really have to choose between my loved ones and school? I shouldn't have to pick."

8 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
89 Report
  • mouse...
  • August 9, 2013

Concerta (methylphenidate) "Before Concerta I was labeled disruptive; unintelligent, impulsive, poor concentration etc. The worst part was that no matter how hard I tried, I always messed up, and it was never on purpose. I am often described as having 'no-filter' between my head and mouth. Now, with Concerta, I am able to 'filter' information correctly. I have control with what I say, and I can concentrate when I need to. This is, however, no miracle - I have bad days. Like anyone, my cognition suffers if I haven't had enough sleep, etc. Concerta only gives one control of their actions and organizes things in your head a bit better - something I had been long without. Please consider the facts provided by health professionals."

9 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
91 Report

Reviews may be edited to correct grammar/spelling or to remove inappropriate language and content. Reviews that appear to be created by parties with a vested interest are not published. This information is not intended to endorse any particular medication. While these reviews may be helpful, they are not a substitute for the expertise, knowledge, and judgement of healthcare professionals.