Concerta
From Pharmacy Drug Guide
Concerta is a stimulant prescription drug approved by the FDA for the treatment of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder or ADHD in adults and children over the age of six.[1] Persons with ADHD have difficulty focusing on tasks. They may be impulsive in behavior, acting without thinking through the consequences of their actions. They may not be able to pay attention to things they don't enjoy.[2] Concerta can help control this treatable medical condition. Customarily patients take one daily morning dose. Because the drug is time-release, patients should not chew, crush or divide the Concerta tablet, and the medication should be taken with water or other liquids, but need not be accompanied by food.[3]
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| Brand name for | methylphenidate HCl |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc |
| Generic available? | Yes |
| Uses | To increase attention span and decrease impulsiveness and hyperactivity in patients with ADHD[3] |
| Common side effects | Upper abdominal pain in children and adolescents. In adults, sleeplessness, loss of appetite, headache, dry mouth, and nausea[1] |
| Major side effects | Misusing Concerta can lead to addiction. Children may experience a slowing of growth, both height and weight, while taking Concerta.[3] |
| Warnings | Patients with heart disease should not take Concerta. Others should be watched for worsening psychiatric symptoms like aggressive or new psychotic behavior.[3] Since Concerta can affect driving or operation of hazardous machinery, patients should use caution until they understand how the medication affects them personally.[4] |
| Disclaimer | The information provided by PharmacyDrugGuide.com is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Do not take any action based on the information on this page without consulting a physician. |
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Concerta Overview
Concerta is manufactured in tablets with four strengths ranging from 18mg to 54mg. The generic form is manufactured by the same company that makes Concerta.[3] Concerta should be used as part of a complete ADHD treatment program including behavior therapy, family counseling and parent training.[5] Concerta is also used in treatment of narcolepsy, also called daytime sleep disorder, in which patients are excessively sleepy during the daytime and often fall asleep suddenly, in "sleep attacks".[6]
Concerta Side Effects
A small proportion of children who take Concerta experience upper abdominal pain. Patients on Concerta can have dry mouth, headaches, upset stomach, decreased appetite, irritability, sleeplessness, anxiety, weight loss, increased sweating, and dizziness.[3] Less common and more serious side effects include behavior disturbance and thought disorder, seizures, long-term suppression of growth, and vision changes. Death, stroke, and myocardial infarction are also possible in patients with cardiac problems.[7] Abuse of Concerta, or taking the medication other than as prescribed, can lead to dependence.[3]
Prescription Drugs
Who should not take Concerta?
Several populations should not take Concerta:
- Children under the age of six
- Persons with heart disease or heart defects
- Patients with glaucoma
- Patients with tics or Tourette's Syndrome, or those with a family history of Tourette's
- Patients with marked anxiety, tension, or agitation
- Patients should not take Concerta within 14 days of stopping an antidepressant of the monoamine oxidase inhibitor class medication, or MAOI.[7]
Also See: Concerta Coupons, Concerta Free Samples, Concerta Patient Assistance Programs, Concerta and Pregnancy, Patient Assistance Programs, Drug Side Effects, Adderall, Desoxyn, Dextrostat, Dextrostat Side Effects, Kapvay, Kapvay Side Effects, Metadate Side Effects, Methylin, Ritalin Side Effects, Strattera Side Effects, Vyvanse Side Effects
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References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 http://www.concerta.net/
- ↑ http://www.aacap.org/cs/adhd_a_guide_for_families/what_is_adhd
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 http://www.fda.gov/downloads/Drugs/DrugSafety/ucm088575.pdf
- ↑ http://www.concerta.net/adult/adult-index.html
- ↑ http://www.concerta.net/children/about-adhd-treatment-options.html
- ↑ http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001805/
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 http://www.concerta.net/prescribing-information.html
