Is this a time release drug, like Concerta?

Yeah. The generics use a different ER mechanism, which is surely part of the problem, but others report issues with non-ER versions, too, presumably due either to purity/consistency issues or different filler material, so I doubt the ER difference is the only problem—we did use name brand non-ER at first before switching to extended release, and that wasn't even close to as ineffective as generics of the ER. I've read (but not confirmed) that some adhd generics are also allowed to use cheaper-to-manufacture almost-but-not-quite-identical isomers that haven't been tested and may have significantly worse efficacy, though, no clue if that affects ours (or if that's even true, really).

I wouldn’t be surprised. Concerta (osmotic time release) is so much more effective than normal generics (non-osmotic time release) that they shouldn’t even be considered the same drug.

Yeah, our experience is something like:

    unmedicated << generic <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< name brand

in terms of perceived effect. They're sure as hell not close enough to be considered equivalent under any reasonable classification scheme (but I assume insurers really, really, really want the generic to count as equivalent and work to ensure it is so-regarded—and, anyway, availability's so spotty that we just have to take what we can get regardless).

As a patient this was also my experience.