Concerta
Marilyn Clark
Brand Name and Generic names of active ingredients
Concerta is an ADHD pill that consists Methylphenidate, which can also be seen in brands such as Ritalin.
Manufacturer of Concerta
The label author is Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc. who manufacture Concerta.
What kind of drug is Concerta and what does it say about how it produces its effects?
Methylphendiate is a stimulant for the central nervous system. The stimulant of the drug helps activate the brain and cortex to produce the effect.
What do people use Concerta for?
Concerta is a medication that helps treat ADHD, which is attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. It can be taken by patients from age 6 to 65.
Concerta
Precautions to Concerta
Reactions to the drug is low appetite, headaches, dizziness, nervousness, irritability, anxiety and many others. People who have had known heart or cardiac problems are asked to avoid taking Concerta. If children take Concerta, it can suppress growth in childhood. Pregnancy category C has been the warning for Pregnant women taking concerta because studies have shown a safe use during pregnancy, but there may be some complications of birth defect. Nursing women are supposed to use concert with caution. For elderly, the maximum age to take concerta is 65. Substance abuse can be harmful to the central nervous system when using concerta. Also, if there is history with the patient on substance abuse, then it should be used with caution. Concerta users are warned to not drive or operating machinery until they know how it is affective. Other medications that could interact with concerta are antidepressants. If people have glaucoma, Torette's syndrome or tics, they shouldn't take concerta.
Common side effects
Fast heart beats, headaches, nervousness and trouble sleeping are among the common side effects that are normal and usually need to be treated if they do become a problem.
Serious effects
If a person is having mental issues, moody, having nausea or are drowsy, those are the less common effects that need health care professional's attention.
Interactions with other drugs
Concerta usually has interactions with alcohol, prozac, xanax and zoloft, which are the most common medications that are checked in combination with this medicine.
Overdosing?
People can overdose on methylphenidate, which is fatal. If it ever does happen, people are advised to seek emergency care or to call the Poison Help line.
Usual Dosage and administration schedule
Children 6-12 years:
Initial: 18mg
Range: 18-54 mg a day
Children 13-17 years:
Initial: 18 mg
Range: 18-72mg a day
Adults 18-65 years:
Initial: 18mg or 36 mg
Range: 18-72 mg a day
Other Brands
- Ritalin
- Adderall
- Vyvanse
- Strattera
Methylphenidate
This ingredient is not only used to help with ADHD, but it is also used to help treat Narcolepsy, which is when someone has a habit or impulse to fall asleep in a relaxed environment.