concerta-overdose?

Im wondering if you can give me information about a possible overdosing of concerta medication for ADHD. My step-brother almost 11yrs old and 65-75lbs (many years younger than I) is on concerta 36mg 3 doses for total of 108 mg in a.m. and also takes (1 dose of stratera or adderall in p.m. I think). Anyways, last time I saw him he seemed very doped and his pupils dialated and this continued from his a.m. dose until the next morning- his mom gives him this medication, at his dad's house he gets none-so these symptoms did subside because he did not recieve dosage for the weekend. On prescription bottle it is labeled 3 doses of 36mg so his mom is following dosage, she is also an RN working at the hospital so she knows the ins and outs of getting medication. My children are also on concerta 36mg and 54mg, under close watch by our doctor. I mentioned this to my doctor and he feels that this is too much medication for any child to be taking. My doctor said maybe a pschyiatrist might prescribe this heavy dose, but a M.D. should not.Have you ever heard of such a dose? And if it is overdose, if we see the same symptoms again should we take him in to emergency room or doctors office? We hope to step in and get medication stopped or decreased for him since we think he doesn't need it especially if he is doped. We are trying to get information so we can bring it to attention of others since his mom will not stop giving him so much. Do you have any information on who we can turn to in this matter before something bad happens to my step-brother?

Thanks!

I think your impression is correct. It does not make sense to take Concerta (Methylphenidate-OROS) three times a day. It is a long-acting stimulant with a duration of 10-12 hours. If a child gets this drug twice a day or more it might cause hyperactivity or other side effects caused by bad pharacokinetics. The combination with other ADHD drugs is problematic (at least for this child). So the mother should go to a skilled child psychiatrist to get a proper adhd treatment.

If you see any similar symptoms you should talk to the mother and advice her to see a doctor as soon as possible. It might not be live threatening, but the child is not treated in a good way - and this is very dangerous on the long run.