ADHD Medication - Concerta
Concerta and Ritalin LA are both used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Both contain methylphenidate, which is the same drug. However, they release it differently within your body.
Clinical studies have shown that Concerta reduces inattention in children and adults who use it. It also helps with other ADHD symptoms.
What is Concerta?
adhd medications for adults is a methylphenidate-based drug that belongs to the group of drugs known as stimulants. It works by increasing levels of neurotransmitters dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain, which improves your ability to focus and control impulses. Concerta also regulates blood pressure and heart rate to maintain alertness.
Concerta is a great treatment for people with ADHD and offers symptom relief and improved performance. However, the treatment's effectiveness can vary from person to person, and adverse effects are common. It is important to keep in regular contact with your physician and monitor your symptoms. Modifying your medication or evaluating alternative treatments can reduce the side effects associated with this ADHD medication.
The Food and Drug Administration has approved Concerta to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) for children between the ages of 6-12 as well as adults to age 65. It improves the focus of people with inattention ADHD and decreases hyperactivity and impulsive behavior. These are hallmark signs.
Additionally, Concerta enhances cognitive function for people suffering from ADHD by improving the communication between two regions of the brain, namely the frontal cortex and striatum. This communication is impaired in people with ADHD and can affect executive functions and the regulation of behavior.
The extended-release delivery method of Concerta allows it to be taken daily and provides continuous symptom management throughout the day, reducing the peaks and troughs that are associated with stimulants that are shorter-acting. It comes in tablet form and is available in 18 mg, 27 mg, 36 mg, and 54 mg doses. Your doctor will prescribe a dose that is based on your weight, age and clinical evaluation. You should never give your medication to anyone, not even another person who has ADHD.
How does Concerta work?
Like medication for adhd , Concerta works by boosting neurotransmitter activity in the brain. The drug affects the frontal cortex and striatum to help people with ADHD better control their moods and cognitive function.
The drug is a stimulant, which increases dopamine and norepinephrine levels in the brain. It also hinders the reuptake of these chemicals in synapses. This enhances neurotransmission, and increases focus and attention. It can also affect the reward pathway within the brain. This can help reduce impulsive behaviors and assist people to concentrate on tasks more effectively.
In clinical studies, Concerta was shown to reduce ADHD symptoms in children and adults. It also improves academic and functional performance, which aids those with the disorder live better lives. The medication is designed to be taken every day, and lasts around 10-12 hours.
It is essential to take your medication as recommended by your physician. If you are unable to take an dose, take it whenever you remember. But, it is important to not increase the dose or take more than what your doctor recommends. This increases the chance of adverse effects or overdose.
If you or your child is having difficulty swallowing pills, ask your physician about other methods to take the medication. It is advised to avoid chewing or breaking the tablets as this could cause them to release all of the medication at once. It is also essential to take the medication with food as it can prevent stomach upset.
Stimulants can be abused. Schedule II controlled drugs, they can cause addiction. It is essential to discuss with your doctor about the risks and benefits of taking Concerta before you begin treatment.
Dosage
If you or your child has been assessed for ADHD the doctor likely completed an ADHD rating scale for symptom severity. These forms ask questions about inattention and impulsivity. They can aid you and your doctor see how the medication is working. It is crucial to keep track of your or your child's symptoms while taking Concerta. For this purpose, you or your doctor can utilize a printable medication journal.
Concerta is an ADHD stimulant that may help improve symptoms in children and adolescents of all ages. It has methylphenidate as its active ingredient, which boosts levels of neurotransmitters which 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 longer acting capsule called JornayPM. You should use the medication according to the instructions given by your doctor. Never increase or decrease your dosage without a doctor's advice.
Adults abuse stimulants like Concerta by taking more than the recommended dosage or crushing and snorting them to achieve a more powerful high. This type of abuse is more prevalent in drugs that are absorbed quickly into the bloodstream, like amphetamines. Concerta's complex release mechanism makes it less likely than other medications to be abused.
Stimulant medications, such as Concerta can trigger adverse effects that affect your heart and blood vessels. They can cause a rapid heartbeat, chest pain, tightness or problems with your blood pressure and circulation. If you suffer from these or other heart-related problems consult your physician before starting Concerta. Many people are concerned that stimulants such as Concerta may slow growth among teenagers and children. Some studies have shown no impact, while others demonstrate a slight inhibition 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 within a few weeks, a doctor may increase the dosage. It is crucial that patients keep track of their symptoms, and that they discuss how the medication is working with their physician or another healthcare professional.
Concerta and Adderall are two medicines that can aid in managing the symptoms of ADHD. Both stimulants improve how parts of the mind communicate with one another. They increase the levels of two neurotransmitters that are present in the brain, norepinephrine as well as dopamine. This helps improve focus and decrease the hyperactive and impulsive behavior.

Both drugs are effective in treating ADHD symptoms. They were directly compared in clinical studies. Due to the differences in their ingredients, as well as how they act in the brain, Concerta is more likely to be misused than Adderall. In fact, Concerta has a boxed warning about the dangers 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 essential to take the medication at the same time each day, so that you don't miss doses. It is crucial to keep the track of your symptoms and how the medication is working so you can determine if it should be increased or reduced.
Concerta is not yet known if it passes into breast milk or be absorbed in young children. Before taking this medication pregnant women breastfeeding should consult her doctor. They might suggest alternative treatments that don't involve drugs for ADHD.
Overdose
Concerta as with other stimulants, can trigger an unintentional high when taken in higher doses. Abusing the drug may lead to heart problems or other life-threatening side effects.
Students of the college age are prone to stimulant abuse. The substances improve focus and alertness, which makes them popular study aids. They can also trigger high blood pressure and stroke or heart attack for those with heart disease, high blood pressure or a history of heart issues. Concerta can cause psychosis in some people, particularly if it is mixed with alcohol or other stimulants, and if they have bipolar disorder or depression.
Concerta contains the drug methylphenidate, which is in a class of drugs known as stimulants. It increases the levels of neurotransmitters, like dopamine or norepinephrine, in the brain. This improves attention and concentration and reduces symptoms of ADHD. It also helps treat the symptoms of narcolepsy for some adults. Doctors typically prescribe the drug as part of a treatment program that includes behavioral therapy.
Concerta overdose can be fatal. Overdose symptoms can include breathing problems, loss of consciousness, and even death. Call the emergency services if you or someone knows has abused these drugs.
Concerta is a controlled substance, which means it's regulated by the federal government. It's listed as a Schedule II drug, which implies it's a risk to be misused. Users who misuse the drug could do so in ways that aren't prescribed, such as crushing it and snorting it, or consuming it to get high. They may also use the drug over a long period of time which could result in addiction. If you are prescribed medication be sure to keep it out of the reach of children.