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. They release it differently.
Clinical studies have shown that Concerta reduces inattention in adults and children who take it. It also improves other ADHD symptoms.
What is Concerta?
Concerta contains methylphenidate, which belongs to the group of drugs called stimulants. It increases the levels neurotransmitters, norepinephrine and dopamine, in the brain. This improves your ability to focus and manage impulses. Concerta also regulates blood pressure and heart rate to ensure alertness.
Concerta is a great treatment for people with ADHD and offers symptom relief and improved performance. However, the response to treatment can vary from person to person and side effects are often experienced. Keeping regular contact with your healthcare provider and monitoring your symptoms is important. You can minimize the side effects of this ADHD medication by altering your medication or looking into alternative treatments.
The Food and Drug Administration has approved Concerta to treat ADHD. Concerta is approved for the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorders (ADHD) in children between the ages of 6-12 as well as adults to the age of 65. It improves the focus of people with inattention ADHD and reduces hyperactivity and impulsive behavior. These are hallmark signs.
Concerta also improves cognitive function for those suffering from ADHD. It accomplishes this by improving communication between the frontal cortex (the part of the brain responsible for controlling attention) and the striatum (the part of the brain that regulates behavior). This communication is impaired in people with ADHD and can affect executive functions and behavioral regulation.
The extended-release delivery method of Concerta allows it to be taken once every day and offers continuous symptom control throughout the day, reducing the peaks and troughs associated with shorter-acting stimulants. It comes in tablet form and is available in 18 mg, 27 mg, 36 mg and doses of 54 mg. Your doctor will prescribe the appropriate dosage that is based on your weight, age and clinical evaluation. You should never give your medication to anyone, not even a person with ADHD.
How do you make Concerta Work?
Concerta, like other ADHD medications works by increasing the activity of neurotransmitters in the brain. The drug works in the striatum and the frontal cortex to assist people suffering from ADHD manage their emotions and cognitive functions.
It is a stimulant which increases dopamine and norepinephrine production in the brain. It also hinders the release of these chemicals into synapses. This enhances neurotransmission, and improves attention and focus. It could also affect reward pathways in the brain, which can reduce the tendency to be impulsive and encourage people to work on tasks more efficiently.
In clinical studies, Concerta has been shown to decrease the primary ADHD symptoms in children and adults. It also enhances academic performance and function and helps people suffering from ADHD live better lives. The medication is designed to be taken every day and its duration of action lasts for about 10 to 12 hours.
It is important to take the medication as recommended by your physician. If you miss taking the dose, you must do so as soon as possible. However, it is important to not increase the dose or take more than your doctor recommends. This could increase the risk of adverse effects and overdose.
If medication for adhd and anxiety or your child has difficulty swallowing pills, talk to your physician about other methods to take the medication. Avoid chewing or breaking tablets as this could cause tablets to release entire medication at once. Take the medication with food to avoid stomach upset.
Stimulants are powerful drugs, and they can be abused. Schedule II controlled drugs, they can cause addiction. It is important to discuss with your doctor the risks and benefits of taking Concerta before you begin treatment.
Dosage
Your doctor will have completed an assessment scale to assess the symptoms of ADHD. These forms ask about impulsivity and inattention. These forms can aid you and/or your doctor determine how well the medication is working. It is essential to keep the track of your child's symptoms when taking Concerta. To do this, you or your doctor can utilize a printable medication journal.
Concerta is an stimulant drug that has the potential to improve ADHD symptoms in people of all ages including adolescents and children. It contains methylphenidate as its active ingredient, which can increase levels of neurotransmitters that influence attention and impulse control in the brain. The medication is available as an extended-release tablet (Concerta ER) and a long-acting capsule (Jornay PM). Use the medication according to your doctor's instructions. Never alter your dosage without consulting your doctor.
Some adults misuse stimulants, such as Concerta, by taking more than prescribed or crushing and snorting them to achieve a greater high. This type of abuse occurs more often with drugs that are quickly absorbed into the bloodstream like amphetamines. Concerta's complicated release mechanism makes it less likely than other medications to be used for addiction.
Stimulant medicines, like Concerta can trigger adverse effects that can affect your heart and blood vessels. These can include a rapid heartbeat, chest pain, tightness or issues with your blood pressure and circulation. Talk to your doctor if you have any heart-related issues. Some people are concerned that stimulants such as Concerta can slow growth in teenagers and children. Studies have revealed mixed results regarding this issue Certain studies show no impact while others demonstrate what is thought 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 a person's symptoms do not improve after a few weeks, the doctor might increase the dose. It is essential to keep track of their symptoms and discuss with their physician how the medication functions.
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 boost the levels of norepinephrine as well as dopamine in the brain. This improves concentration, and reduce hyperactive and impulsive behavior.
Both drugs have been compared directly in clinical studies and both are effective for treating symptoms of ADHD. However, due to differences in their ingredients and how they work in the brain, Concerta has a higher risk for misuse than Adderall. Concerta is accompanied by an indication on the box about the possibility of dependency.
Concerta is a medicine that acts long-lastingly and is best taken in the morning with or without food. To avoid the risk of missing doses, it's essential to take your medication at the same time every day. A person should also keep an eye on their symptoms and how the medication is working, so that they are aware of whether it needs to be reduced or increased.
It's unclear whether Concerta is absorbed into breast milk or be absorbed by children. If a person is breastfeeding or nursing, they should speak to their doctor before taking this medication. They might suggest alternative treatment options for ADHD that do not involve medications.
Overdose
Concerta, like other stimulants can cause an unintentional high when taken in higher doses. Abusing the drug may result in heart issues or other potentially life-threatening effects.
Students of college age are susceptible to the use of stimulants. These drugs are popular study aids due to their ability to increase focus and alertness. They can also raise blood pressure and cause a stroke or heart attack in those with heart disease or high blood pressure or a history of heart problems. Concerta may cause psychosis for some people, especially if combined with alcohol or other stimulants and in those who suffer from bipolar or depression disorder.
Concerta contains the drug methylphenidate. It is part of a class of medicines known as stimulants. It increases the levels of neurotransmitters, like dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain. This improves attention and concentration and reduces symptoms of ADHD. It is also used to treat narcolepsy among certain adults. Doctors typically prescribe the medication in conjunction with a behavioral therapy as part of a comprehensive treatment plan.
Taking too much Concerta can be fatal. The signs of an overdose include difficulty breathing, loss in consciousness, and even death. If you or someone you know has taken this medication, call the emergency services immediately.
Concerta is a controlled substance, which means it's regulated nationally. It's classified as a Schedule II drug, which implies it's a risk to be misused. Misusing the drug can include crushing it and snorting or using it to get high. They could also use it for a long time, which could lead to addiction. If you are prescribed Concerta be sure to keep it in a safe place away from the reach of children.