Concerta (Methylphenidate) a Medical Guide to Concerta, Uses & Concerta Side Effects
Concerta (Methylphenidate) is prescription central nervous system stimulant used for the treatment of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder in both child and adults. This medication is also used to narcolepsy.
Concerta is a drug that affects chemicals in the brain and controls impulse and hyperactivity. The generic name is methylphenidate, a central nervous system stimulant.
Concerta Uses:
- It is just a part of the full treatment program for treating attention deficit disorder and attention deficit hyper active disorder otherwise known as ADD and ADHD respectively.
Other uses:
- There may be other treatment uses for this medication your doctor should be able to tell you.
Comcerta Side Effects:
List of common and expected side effects:
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Visual problems
- Loss of appetite
- Digestive system disturbances
- Numbness
- Insomnia
- Weight loss
- Stomach upset
More Serious Concerta Side Effects:
These are Concerta side effects that you should report to your doctor or healthcare professional as soon as possible:
If you have increased blood pressure and purplish spots on your skin, report it to your doctor as soon as possible. Palpitations, generalized weakness, sore throat, muscle twitches, swelling of the face, severe nervousness, irregular heartbeat, uncontrollable mouth movements, and unusual behavior changes should be watched out as well and reported to your doctor as soon as possible.
Withdrawals:
Withdrawal symptoms include tiredness, forgetfulness, mood changes, depression and irritability.
Dosage/ How to Take the Medicine:
- Concerta should be taken early in the morning before 6 PM to avoid the occurrence of sleeping problems. The medication can be taken with or without food but with special caution with regards to the pill's appearance. Never crush or chew the pill and take it in its full form. If you were using MAOIs for the past two weeks, ask for your physician's advice to see if you can take methylphenidate.
What to avoid / Drug Interactions:
Do not engage yourself in stimulating activities such as driving and sports since your alertness will be altered by the drug. If you are allergic to methylphenidate, never use Concerta in any way.
You should also inform your physician if you are taking the following drugs as they may interact with Methylphenidate:
- Clonidine
- Epinephrine
- Dobutamine
- Warfarin
- Most blood thinners or high blood pressure medications
- Alka-Seltzer
- Amitriptyline
- Citalopram
- Doxepin
- Fluoxetine
- Imipramine
Ask your doctor for the list of drugs that may interact with this medication, as there are many that were not listed above.
Concerta is FDA pregnancy category C rated. It is not known whether this medication is harmful to an unborn baby. Talk to your physician if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while taking this drug. It is also not known whether Methylphenidate will pass into breast milk to harm your infant baby, therefore you should inform your doctor if you're breast feeding.
Concerta is a type of drug that can be abused by some individuals. To avoid unnecessary addiction, use it as prescribed by your doctor and nothing more. Do not take an increased dosage without your physician's permission. Store it in a room temperature out of reach of children.