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Expert Q&A
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| By Alesia Hanson, RPh Registered Pharmacist | ||
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My 4-year-old has diagnosed with ADHD and put on the drug Concerta, but he refuses to swallow it. What should I do?
That particular pill must be swallowed whole and if hiding it in foods is not working, my only suggestion would be to switch medications. You can ask your child's physician about other formulations of methylphenidate (the active ingredient in Concerta). It is available in smaller extended release tablets that may be easier to swallow or hide. It is also available in immediate release tablets that can be crushed and mixed in food. There are other medications similar to the active ingredient in Concerta that are available in other dosage forms; such as capsules and chewable tablets. With these other dosage forms and medications your son may have to take more than one dose per day to get the same effect. Contact your son's physician if you feel that switching would be the best thing for him."
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