ADHD Medication - Concerta
Both Concerta and Ritalin LA treat attention deficit hyperactivity (ADHD). Both contain methylphenidate, the same drug. They release it differently.
Studies conducted on the subject show that Concerta reduces inattention among adults and children who take it. It also improves other ADHD symptoms.
What is Concerta?
Concerta is a drug called methylphenidate. It is part of a group of medications called stimulants. It increases the levels of neurotransmitters dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain. This improves your ability to focus and manage impulses. Additionally, Concerta regulates heart rate and blood pressure to help maintain your alertness.
Concerta is an effective treatment for many people suffering from ADHD. It offers symptom relief as well as better functioning. Treatment response can vary from person to person and adverse effects may be experienced. It is essential to stay in constant contact with your physician and observe your symptoms. Adjusting your medication or considering alternatives to treatment can help 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 improves focus for people who suffer from inattention ADHD and reduces impulsive and hyperactive behavior, which are the most prominent symptoms of the condition.
Concerta also improves cognitive performance for those with ADHD. It does this by enhancing communication between the frontal cortex (the part of the brain that regulates attention) and the striatum (the part of the brain that controls behavior). This communication is impaired by ADHD and can affect executive function and behavioral control.
The extended-release delivery system of Concerta allows it to be taken every day and offers continuous symptom control throughout the day, reducing the peaks and valleys that can be experienced with stimulants that have a shorter duration of action. It is available in 18mg, 27, 36mg, and 54mg dosages. Your doctor will prescribe a dosage that is based on your weight, age and clinical evaluation. You should not share your medication with anyone, not even another person suffering from ADHD.
How do you make Concerta work?
Concerta as with other ADHD medications, works by increasing neurotransmitter activity within the brain. The drug is active in the striatum and frontal cortex, helping people with ADHD improve their emotional control and cognitive functions.
It is a stimulant that increases dopamine and norepinephrine levels in the brain. It also blocks their reuptake at the synapses, which enhances neurotransmission and improves focus and attention. It also affects the reward pathway within the brain. This can reduce impulsive behaviors and encourage people to concentrate on their tasks with greater efficiency.
In clinical trials, Concerta was shown to reduce ADHD symptoms in children and adults. It also improves academic functioning and performance, which can help those who suffer from the disorder lead healthier lives. The medication is designed to be taken every day and its duration of action lasts for about 10-12 hours.
It is important to take your medication as prescribed by your doctor. If you are unable to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember. But, it is important to not increase the dosage or take more than your doctor recommends. This could increase the risk of side reactions or overdose.
If you or your child have difficulties swallowing pills, consult your physician about other ways to take the medication. It is recommended to avoid chewing or breaking the tablets as this could cause them to release all the medication all at once. Take the medication with food to avoid stomach upset.
The use of stimulants can be harmful. They are Schedule II controlled substances, and they pose a risk of addiction. It is crucial to discuss with your doctor the advantages and risks of taking Concerta before you begin treatment.
Dosage
If you or your child was assessed for ADHD your doctor may have completed an ADHD rating scale for symptoms. These forms ask questions regarding impulsivity and inattention. These forms can help you and/or your physician determine the extent to which the medication works. It is important to track your symptoms as well as those of your child taking Concerta. Your doctor or you can make use of a printable medication log for this purpose.
Concerta is an anti-stimulant drug that can help improve ADHD symptoms in people of all ages, including children and adolescents. It has methylphenidate as its active ingredient, which increases levels of neurotransmitters that influence the ability to focus and impulse control in the brain. The medication is available as an extended-release tablet (Concerta ER) and a capsule with a long-acting mechanism (Jornay PM). It is recommended to follow the directions given by your doctor. Never increase or decrease your dosage without a doctor's advice.
Adults misuse stimulants such as Concerta by taking more than the recommended dosage or crushing them and snorting them to achieve a more powerful high. This kind of abuse happens more frequently with drugs that are quickly absorption into bloodstreams, such as 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 trigger side effects on your heart and blood vessels. These can include a rapid heartbeat, chest pain or tightness, or problems with your blood pressure and circulation. If you experience these symptoms or other heart-related problems consult your doctor prior to beginning Concerta. Some people are concerned that stimulants such as Concerta may slow growth among teenagers and children. Some studies have shown no effect, while other studies have shown a minimal inhibition of growth.
Side effects
When taking medication to treat ADHD the doctor and patient generally begin with the lowest dosage possible. If a person's symptoms do not improve after a few weeks, the doctor could increase the dose. 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 help manage the symptoms of ADHD. Both stimulants improve the way that brain parts communicate with each other. They increase the levels of norepinephrine as well as dopamine in the brain. This helps improve focus and decrease hyperactive and impulsive behavior.
Both medications are effective in treating ADHD symptoms. They were directly compared in clinical studies. Due to differences in their ingredients, and how they interact with the brain, Concerta is more likely to be misused than Adderall. In fact, Concerta has a boxed warning about the risk of dependence.
Concerta is a long-acting medicine and is best taken in the morning, either with or without food. To avoid the risk of missing doses, it's essential to take your medication at the same time each day. It is crucial to keep track of your symptoms and how the medication works to determine if it needs to be increased or decreased.
Concerta is not known to pass into breast milk or be absorbed by infants. If a woman is breastfeeding or nursing, they should speak to their doctor prior to taking this medication. They might suggest alternative treatment options that don't involve drugs for ADHD.
Overdose
Like other stimulants Concerta can cause a dangerous high when taken in higher doses than the recommended dosage. The use of the drug can result in heart issues or other potentially life-threatening effects.
Students of college age are more susceptible to abuse of stimulants. The substances improve focus and alertness, which makes them popular study aids. They can also trigger high blood pressure and a heart attack or stroke for those with heart disease, high blood pressure, or a previous history of heart problems. Concerta can trigger psychosis in some people, especially if mixed with alcohol or other stimulants and in those who suffer from depression or bipolar disorder.
Concerta includes the drug methylphenidate, which belongs to a class of medications called stimulants. types of adhd medication boosts the levels of neurotransmitters like norepinephrine or dopamine, in the brain. This helps improve concentration and attention, and also reduces symptoms of ADHD. It also helps treat narcolepsy in some adults. Doctors typically prescribe the drug in conjunction with behavioral therapy as part of a comprehensive treatment plan.
Intoxication from Concerta could be fatal. The signs of an overdose could include trouble breathing or loss of consciousness and even death. Contact emergency services if you or anyone knows has abused these medications.
Concerta is a controlled substance, which means it is regulated by the federal government. It's a Schedule II substance, which means that 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 might also take it for long periods of time, which can result in addiction. If you are prescribed medication be sure to make sure it is out of reach of children.