Concerta
Concerta is a medicine used to treat Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in children aged 6 and older, and adults, by helping to improve focus, concentration, and reduce impulsive behavior.
Form
depottabletti
Strength
27 mg
Active Ingredient
Methylphenidate hydrochloride
Manufacturer
Janssen-Cilag Oy
How to Use
Dosage
Your doctor will usually start with a low dose, typically 18 mg once daily for both children and adults. This dose may be increased by 18 mg weekly if needed.
Method
Take Concerta once a day in the morning with a glass of water. Swallow the tablet whole; do not chew, divide, or crush it. It can be taken with or without food.
Important
The maximum daily dose for children (6 years and older) is 54 mg. For adults, the maximum daily dose is 72 mg.
Possible Side Effects
COMMON
- •Headache
- •Nervousness
- •Difficulty sleeping
- •Irregular heartbeat (palpitations)
- •Mood swings or changes in personality
- •Joint pain
- •Blurred vision
- •Tension headache
- •Dry mouth, thirst
- •Fever
- •Decreased sex drive
- •Unusual hair loss or thinning
- •Muscle tension, muscle cramps
- •Loss of appetite or decreased appetite
- •Inability to achieve or maintain an erection
- •Itching, rash, or red, raised itchy rash (hives)
- •Unusual sleepiness or drowsiness, feeling tired
- •Teeth grinding (bruxism)
- •Panic attacks
- •Tingling, prickling, or numb sensation on the skin
- •Increased liver enzyme levels in the blood
- •Cough, sore throat, upper respiratory infection, sinus infection
- •High blood pressure, fast heart rate (tachycardia)
- •Dizziness (vertigo), feeling weak, uncontrolled movements, hyperactivity
- •Aggression, agitation, tension, depression, irritability, anxiety, nervousness, and abnormal behavior
- •Indigestion or stomach problems, stomach pain, diarrhea, nausea, uncomfortable feeling in the stomach, and vomiting
- •Excessive sweating
- •Weight loss
RARE
- •Suicidal thoughts or feelings
- •Seeing, feeling, or hearing things that are not real (signs of psychosis)
- •Uncontrolled speech or body movements (Tourette's syndrome)
- •Allergic reactions such as rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or other body parts, shortness of breath, wheezing or difficulty breathing.
- •Unusual excitement, overactivity, and disinhibition (mania)
- •Heart attack
- •Sudden death
- •Attempted suicide
- •Seizures (convulsions, epilepsy)
- •Peeling skin or red patches on the skin
- •Inflammation or blockage of brain arteries
- •Temporary paralysis or problems with movement and vision, speech difficulties (these may indicate brain blood vessel disorders)
- •Uncontrolled muscle twitching in the eyes, head, neck, body, and nerves
- •Decrease in blood cell count (red or white blood cells, platelets), which can increase susceptibility to infection and tendency to bleed or bruise
- •Sudden rise in body temperature, very high blood pressure, and severe convulsions (neuroleptic malignant syndrome)
- •Recurrent unwanted thoughts
- •Unexplained fainting, chest pain, shortness of breath (these may indicate heart problems)
- •Prolonged and sometimes painful erections or increased erections
- •Dry eyes
- •Constipation
- •Chest discomfort
- •Blood in urine
- •Lack of desire (motivation)
- •Tremor or shaking
- •Increased urge to urinate
- •Muscle pain, muscle twitching
- •Shortness of breath or chest pain
- •Feeling hot
- •Anger, restlessness or crying, excessive talkativeness, heightened awareness of surroundings, sleep difficulties
- •Sexual drive disorders
- •Confusion or disorientation
- •Vision problems or double vision
- •Breast swelling in men
- •Skin redness, red, bumpy rash
- •Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) (including urges to pull out body hair, unwanted thoughts, or repetitive behaviors)
- •Muscle cramps
- •Small red spots on the skin
- •Liver dysfunction, including sudden liver failure and coma
- •Changes in test results including liver and blood tests
- •Abnormal thoughts, lack of feelings or sensations
- •Coldness in arms and legs
- •Numbness, tingling, and color changes (from white to blue and then red) in fingers and toes when cold (Raynaud's phenomenon)
- •Migraine
- •Dilated pupils
- •Very high fever
- •Slow, fast or extra heartbeats
- •Severe epileptic seizure (grand mal seizure)
- •Belief in things that are not true (delusions)
- •Severe stomach pain, often with nausea and vomiting
- •Cerebral blood vessel problems (stroke, cerebral arteritis or cerebral occlusion)
- •Inability to control urination (urinary incontinence)
- •Spasm of jaw muscles that makes it difficult to open the mouth (trismus)
- •Stuttering
- •Nosebleed
Important Warnings
- Do not take if you or your child are allergic to methylphenidate or any other ingredient in Concerta.
- Do not take if you or your child have serious heart problems, very high blood pressure, or a family history of sudden, unexplained death.
- Do not take if you or your child have blood vessel problems in the brain, such as a stroke or aneurysm.
- Do not take if you or your child have severe mental health conditions like psychosis, severe depression, suicidal thoughts, or mania.
- Do not take if you or your child are currently taking or have taken certain depression medicines called MAO inhibitors in the last 14 days.
Show 7 more warnings
- Talk to your doctor if you or your child have a history of seizures or epilepsy.
- Talk to your doctor if you or your child have difficulty swallowing whole tablets or a blockage in the digestive system.
- Do not drink alcohol while taking Concerta, as it can worsen side effects.
- Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding.
- Concerta can cause dizziness or blurred vision. Do not drive or operate machines if you experience these symptoms.
- Concerta contains lactose. Discuss with your doctor if you or your child have an intolerance to certain sugars.
- Boys and young men should seek medical attention immediately if an erection lasts more than 2 hours and is painful.