Thank you for your question and welcome to ADHDCentral.com.
I am not a medical professional and would not be able to give you medical advice.
Usually dosing for ADHD medication is based on age and weight. Doctors will normally prescribe a lower dosage to begin with and increase it as needed. That way, they can be sure you are taking the lowest effective dose of medication.
As far as long it stays in your body, the short-acting medications can last anywhere from a few hours to 6 hours, again, depending on the person. Some people find that Ritalin will last for about 4 hours, some may find it works a little longer, some a little less. You will need to keep track of how you are feeling and monitor your symptoms to find out how long the medication is working for you.
You might be interested in:
How to Evaluate the Effectiveness of an ADHD Treatment
Frequently Asked Questions About ADHD Medications
I hope this helps
Eileen
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