Concerta (other types of Concerta)
Controlled Substance: This drug is a schedule II controlled substance and is unavailable at drugstore.com.
Information on Concerta
Learn more about usage, cautions, and possible side effects.
Controlled Release Tabs
Chemical Name: METHYLPHENIDATE (meth-ill-FEN-i-date)
Common uses
This medicine is a central nervous system (CNS) stimulant used to treat attention-deficit disorders (ADHD). It may also be used to treat other conditions as determined by your doctor.
Before using
Some medicines or medical conditions may interact with this medicine. INFORM YOUR DOCTOR OR PHARMACIST of all prescription and over-the-counter medicine that you are taking. DO NOT TAKE THIS MEDICINE if you are taking a MAO inhibitor (e.g., furazolidone, linezolid, moclobemide, phenelzine, procarbazine, selegiline, isocarboxazid, tranylcypromine). DO NOT take MAO inhibitors within 2 weeks before or after treatment with this medicine. ADDITIONAL MONITORING OF YOUR DOSE OR CONDITION may be needed if you are taking anticoagulants (e.g., warfarin), medicines for seizures, depression (tricyclic antidepressants such as amitriptyline), guanadrel or guanethidine. Inform your doctor of any other medical conditions, allergies, pregnancy, or breast-feeding. USE OF THIS MEDICINE IS NOT RECOMMENDED if you have anxiety; tension; agitation; glaucoma; motor tics; seizures; history of narrowing or blockage of the esophagus, stomach, or intestines (e.g., esophageal stricture, small bowel obstruction); or a history of Tourette's syndrome. ADDITIONAL MONITORING OF YOUR DOSE OR CONDITION may be needed if you have history of high blood pressure, alcoholism, drug dependency, or mental conditions. Contact your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions or concerns about using this medicine.
Directions
Follow the directions for using this medicine provided by your doctor. SWALLOW WHOLE with a full glass of water. Do not crush or chew before swallowing. STORE THIS MEDICINE at room temperature between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C), away from heat, moisture, and light. IF YOU MISS A DOSE OF THIS MEDICINE, take it as soon as possible. Take the remaining doses for the day at evenly spaced intervals. Do not take 2 doses at once.
Cautions
DO NOT EXCEED THE RECOMMENDED DOSE or take this medicine for longer than prescribed without checking with your doctor. DO NOT STOP TAKING THIS MEDICINE without first checking with your doctor. KEEP ALL DOCTOR AND LABORATORY APPOINTMENTS while you are using this medicine. DO NOT DRIVE, OPERATE MACHINERY, OR DO ANYTHING ELSE THAT COULD BE DANGEROUS until you know how you react to this medicine. Using this medicine alone, with other medicines, or with alcohol may lessen your ability to drive or to perform other potentially dangerous tasks. THIS MEDICINE MAY AFFECT GROWTH RATE in children. The growth rate of your child should be checked regularly while using this medicine. BEFORE YOU BEGIN TAKING ANY NEW MEDICINE, either prescription or over-the-counter, check with your doctor or pharmacist. FOR WOMEN: IF YOU PLAN ON BECOMING PREGNANT, discuss with your doctor the benefits and risks of using this medicine during pregnancy. IT IS UNKNOWN IF THIS MEDICINE IS EXCRETED in breast milk. IF YOU ARE OR WILL BE BREAST-FEEDING while you are using this medicine, check with your doctor or pharmacist to discuss the risks to your baby.
Possible side effects
SIDE EFFECTS that may occur while taking this medicine include decreased appetite (more severe in children), stomach upset, difficulty falling asleep, headache, nervousness, or dizziness. If they continue or are bothersome, check with your doctor. Inactive parts of this drug may be passed in your stool as a harmless soft mass that may look like the original tablet. This is normal for this drug. CHECK WITH YOUR DOCTOR AS SOON AS POSSIBLE if you experience a rash, itching, fever, joint pain, weight loss, irregular heartbeat, vision changes or blurred vision, seizures, involuntary muscle movements, or changes in mood or personality. If you notice any other effects, contact your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist.
Drug interactions
Drug interactions can result in unwanted side effects or prevent a medicine from doing its job. Use our drug interaction checker to find out if your medicines interact with each other. Check drug interactions
If you take too much
If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. Symptoms of overdose may include dilated pupils, vomiting, nervousness, agitation, twitching, tremors, flushing, sweating, severe or persistent headache, seizures, irregular heartbeat, dry mouth, and loss of consciousness.
Additional information
If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor. DO NOT SHARE THIS MEDICINE with others for whom it was not prescribed. DO NOT USE THIS MEDICINE for other health conditions. THIS MEDICINE should be used as part of a total treatment program for ADHD. KEEP THIS MEDICINE out of the reach of children.