ADHD Medication - Concerta
Both Concerta and Ritalin LA treat attention deficit hyperactivity (ADHD). Both contain methylphenidate which is the same drug. They release it in different ways.
Clinical studies have shown that Concerta reduces inattention among children and adults who use it. It also improves some of their other ADHD symptoms.
What is Concerta?
Concerta is a methylphenidate-based drug that is part of the class of drugs known as stimulants. It increases the levels of neurotransmitters dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain. This improves your ability to focus and manage impulses. In addition, Concerta regulates heart rate and blood pressure to maintain your alertness.
Concerta is effective for a variety of people with ADHD and provides relief from symptoms and improved functioning. However, treatment response may differ from person to person and the side effects can be experienced. Staying in contact with your healthcare professional and checking your symptoms is crucial. Adjusting your medication or considering alternative treatments can lessen the adverse effects that come with this ADHD medication.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Concerta to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children ages 6-12 as well as adolescents and adults who are older than 65. It helps improve the concentration of those suffering from inattention ADHD and decreases impulsive behavior and hyperactivity. These are hallmark symptoms.
Concerta also improves cognitive function for those with ADHD. It does this by enhancing communication between the frontal cortex (the part of the brain that controls attention) and the striatum (the part of the brain that regulates behavior). This communication is impaired in those with ADHD and can impact the executive functions as well as behavioral regulation.
The extended-release delivery system of Concerta allows it to be taken once daily and provides continuous symptom management throughout the day, reducing the peaks and troughs that are associated with stimulants that are shorter-acting. It is available in 18mg, 27, 36mg, and 54mg doses. Your doctor will prescribe a dose that is based on your weight, age and a clinical evaluation. You should not divulge your prescription to anyone, even another person who suffers from ADHD.
How do you make Concerta Work?
Like other ADHD medications, Concerta works by boosting neurotransmitter activity in the brain. The drug affects the frontal cortex and striatum, helping people with ADHD improve their emotional control and cognitive functions.
It is a stimulant which increases dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain. It also blocks their reuptake in the synapses. This improves neurotransmission, and increases concentration and attention. It may also affect the reward pathways in the brain, which could help decrease impulsive behavior and encourage people to complete tasks more efficiently.
In clinical trials, Concerta has been shown to reduce the core ADHD symptoms in children and adults. It also enhances academic performance and function, helping people with ADHD live better lives. The medication is formulated to be taken every day, and its duration of action lasts for approximately 10 to 12 hours.
It is important that you follow the prescriptions of your doctor. If you forget to take your dose, make it up to you as quickly as possible. It is essential not to increase the dose, or take more than your doctor has prescribed. This increases the risk of side effects or overdose.
Ask your doctor if there are other ways to take medication if you or your child is having difficulty swallowing pills. Avoid chewing or breaking tablets as this can cause the tablets to release the entire medication at once. It is also important to take the medication with food because it could cause stomach upset.
Stimulants can be abused. Schedule II controlled drugs, they can trigger addiction. It is essential to discuss with your doctor the potential risks and benefits of taking Concerta prior to beginning treatment.
Dosage
If you or your child have been evaluated for ADHD your doctor may have filled out an ADHD rating scale for symptom severity. These forms ask about things like impulsivity and inattention. These forms can help you and/or your doctor determine how well the medication is working. It is important to track your symptoms as well as the symptoms of your child when taking Concerta. To do this either you or your physician can make a printable medication journal.
Concerta is an ADHD stimulant that can help improve symptoms in adolescents and children of all different ages. It contains methylphenidate as its active ingredient, which increases levels of neurotransmitters that affect attention and impulse control in the brain. The drug is available in two forms that include an extended-release tablet known as Concertta ER, and a long acting capsule called JornayPM. It is recommended to follow the directions given by your doctor. Never increase or decrease your dosage without consulting a physician.
Adults abuse stimulants like Concerta by taking more than the prescribed dose or crushing and smoking them to experience a greater high. This type of abuse occurs most often when it comes to drugs that are quickly in the bloodstream, like amphetamines. However, the complicated release mechanism of Concerta makes it less likely to be misused than faster-acting drugs.
Stimulant medications, such as Concerta can have adverse effects on your heart and blood vessel. These can include a rapid heartbeat, chest pain or tightness or issues with your blood pressure and circulation. Consult your physician for any heart-related issues. Some people are concerned that stimulants like Concerta may slow growth among teenagers and children. Studies have revealed mixed results regarding this issue; some show no impact while others demonstrate what is believed to be a minimal reduction in growth.
Side effects
When taking medication for ADHD patients and their medical professionals typically start with the lowest dosage or "dose," possible. If symptoms don't improve in a couple of weeks, a doctor may increase the dosage. It is essential that a patient keeps the track of their symptoms and also discuss how well the medication is working with their doctor or another healthcare professional.
Concerta and Adderall are two medications that can help control the symptoms of ADHD. Both stimulants work by improving the way brain regions communicate with one another. They increase the levels of norepinephrine, and dopamine in the brain. This improves focus, and decrease hyperactive and impulsive behavior.
Both drugs are effective in treating ADHD symptoms. They have been directly compared in clinical studies. Due to differences in their ingredients, as well as their effects on the brain, Concerta is more likely to be misused than Adderall. Concerta comes with a warning on the packaging about the possibility of dependence.
Because it's a drug that acts long, Concerta should be taken once daily in the morning with or without food. It is important to take the medication at the same time each day, to avoid missing doses. One should also keep an eye on their symptoms and how well the medication is working, so that they can determine if it is required to be reduced or increased.
adhd medication ritalin is not known if Concerta is absorbed into breast milk or be absorbed by children. If a person is breastfeeding, they should talk to their doctor prior to taking this medication. They could suggest alternative treatment options for ADHD that do not involve drugs.
Overdose
Like other stimulants, Concerta can create a risky high when taken in higher dosages than recommended. Abusing the drug can cause heart issues and other dangerous side effects.
Students of the college age are prone to stimulant abuse. These drugs are popular study aids due to their ability to increase alertness and focus. They also increase blood pressure and lead to heart attacks or strokes in those with heart disease or high blood pressure or a history of heart problems. Concerta may also trigger psychosis in certain people especially when it is combined with alcohol or other stimulants and in those who suffer from bipolar disorder or depression.
Concerta is a drug called methylphenidate. It is part of a class of medicines known as stimulants. It increases the levels of neurotransmitters, such as norepinephrine or dopamine, in the brain. This improves concentration and attention, and reduces the symptoms of ADHD. It is also used to treat narcolepsy for some adults. Doctors usually prescribe the drug as part of a treatment plan which includes behavioral therapy.
If you take too much Concerta can lead to death. Overdose symptoms can include difficulty breathing and loss of consciousness and death. Contact emergency services if you or someone who you know has taken these medications.
Concerta is a controlled drug that is regulated nationally. It's a Schedule II substance, which means it can be misused. People who misuse the drug could do so in ways that are not prescribed, such as crushing it and snorting it, or consuming it to get high. They may also use the drug long-term which can cause addiction. If you have a prescription be sure to keep it out of the reach of children.