ADHD Medication - Concerta
Both Concerta and Ritalin LA treat attention deficit hyperactivity (ADHD). They are both containing the same drug methylphenidate. They release it differently.
Concerta has been proven in clinical studies to decrease attention deficits in adults and children. It also improves their other ADHD symptoms.
What is Concerta?
Concerta is a methylphenidate-based drug that belongs to the group of drugs called stimulants. It works by increasing levels of neurotransmitters dopamine and norepinephrine inside the brain, which increases your ability to focus and manage impulses. Concerta also regulates blood pressure and heart rate to maintain alertness.
Concerta is a successful treatment for many people with ADHD. It offers relief from symptoms as well as improved functioning. However, the response to treatment can vary from person-to-person and side effects are often experienced. Maintaining regular contact with your healthcare professional and checking your symptoms is crucial. Adjusting your medication or considering alternatives can help to 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 up to age 65. It improves focus for people with inattentive ADHD and decreases impulsive and hyperactive behavior, which are typical symptoms of the condition.
Additionally, Concerta enhances cognitive function for people suffering from ADHD by enhancing the communication between two regions of the brain called the frontal cortex and striatum. This communication is impaired in those with ADHD and can impact the executive functions and the regulation of behavior.
The extended-release delivery method of Concerta allows it to be taken once daily and allows for continuous management of symptoms throughout the day, minimizing the peaks and valleys that can be experienced with stimulants that are shorter-acting. It is available as a tablet and is available in 18 mg, 27 mg, 36 mg, and 54 mg doses. Your doctor will prescribe a dose based on age, weight and clinical evaluation. You should never share your medication with anyone, not even another person with ADHD.
How do you make Concerta work?
Concerta like other ADHD drugs, works by increasing neurotransmitter activity within the brain. The drug acts in the frontal cortex and striatum to help those suffering from ADHD better control their emotions and cognitive functions.
It is a stimulant that increases dopamine and norepinephrine levels in the brain. It also inhibits the reuptake and reuptake of these chemicals in synapses. This improves neurotransmission and improves attention and focus. It also affects the reward pathway in the brain. This can help reduce impulsive behaviors and encourage people to focus on tasks more effectively.
In clinical trials, Concerta was shown to reduce ADHD symptoms in children as well as adults. It also improves academic functioning and performance, which helps people who suffer from the disorder live healthier lives. The medication is intended to be taken once daily and lasts about 10-12 hours.
It is important to take the medication exactly as recommended by your physician. If you forget to take a dose, you should make it up to you as quickly as possible. But, it is important to not increase the dose or take more than what your doctor recommends. This increases the chance of experiencing side effects and overdose.
If you or your child have difficulty swallowing pills, ask your doctor about other ways to take the medication. It is advised to avoid chewing or breaking tablets as this could cause them to release all of the medication at once. Take the medication along with food to prevent stomach upset.
The use of stimulants can be harmful. They are Schedule II controlled substances, and carry the risk of addiction. Therefore, it is crucial to discuss the benefits and dangers of taking Concerta with your physician prior to beginning treatment.
Dosage
If you or your child have been assessed for ADHD, your doctor probably completed an ADHD rating scale for symptom severity. These forms inquire about things like impulsivity and inattention. They can aid both you and your doctor assess how the medication is performing. It is crucial to record your symptoms or those of your child while taking Concerta. Your doctor or you can utilize a printable medication diary for this purpose.
adhd medication and pregnancy is a stimulant drug that can help improve ADHD symptoms for people of all ages, including children and adolescents. It is a methylphenidate-based active ingredient, which increases levels of neurotransmitters which affect attention and impulse control in the brain. The drug is available in two forms: an extended-release tablet called Concertta ER and a longer acting capsule known as JornayPM. Follow the instructions of your doctor. Never increase or decrease your dose without consulting a physician.
Adults abuse stimulants such as Concerta by taking more than the recommended dose or crushing them and smoking them to experience a greater high. This type of abuse occurs more frequently when it comes to drugs that are quickly absorption into bloodstreams, such as amphetamines. However, the intricate release mechanism of Concerta makes it less likely to be abused than other faster-acting medications.
Stimulant drugs, such as Concerta can cause side effects on your heart and blood vessel. These include rapid heartbeats, chest pain or tightness and problems with blood pressure or circulation. If you have these or other heart-related problems, talk to your doctor prior to beginning Concerta. There are also concerns that stimulants such as Concerta, can slow growth in children and teens. Some studies have demonstrated no effect, while other studies show a negligible growth inhibition.
Side effects
When taking medication to treat ADHD the doctor and patient generally begin with the lowest dose that is possible. If symptoms do not improve in a couple of weeks, the doctor could increase the dosage. It's important that a patient keep the track of their symptoms and also discuss how well the medication is working with their doctor or other healthcare professional.
Adderall and Concerta are two drugs that can aid in managing ADHD symptoms. Both stimulants improve how parts of the mind communicate with one another. They increase the levels of two neurotransmitters within the brain, norepinephrine and dopamine. This helps improve focus and decrease the impulsive and hyperactive behavior.
Both medications have been directly compared in clinical studies and both are effective in treating the symptoms of ADHD. Due to the differences in their ingredients, and their effects on the brain, Concerta is more likely to be misused than Adderall. In fact, Concerta has a boxed warning about the dangers of dependence.
Concerta is a medication that has a long-acting effect and should be taken in the morning with or without food. To avoid being late with doses, it is important to take your medication at the same time each day. It is crucial to keep track of your symptoms and the way in which the medication performs to determine if it is needed to be lowered or increased.
It is not known if Concerta is absorbed into breast milk or can be absorbed by young children. Before taking this medication pregnant women breastfeeding should speak with her doctor. They might suggest alternative treatment options that don't require medication for ADHD.
Overdose
Concerta, like other stimulants, can trigger a dangerous high if taken in higher doses. Intoxication with the drug can lead to heart problems, as well as other serious adverse effects.
Students in college are more susceptible to abuse of stimulants. These drugs are popular study aids since they boost alertness and focus. They can also trigger high blood pressure and heart attack or stroke in people who have heart disease, high blood pressure, or a previous history of heart issues. Concerta can cause psychosis for some people, especially if combined with other stimulants or alcohol and if they suffer from depression or bipolar disorder.
Concerta contains the drug methylphenidate, which is in a class of medicines known as stimulants. It increases the levels of neurotransmitters, such as dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain. This improves concentration and attention and decreases the symptoms of ADHD. It is also used to treat narcolepsy for some adults. Doctors usually prescribe the drug in conjunction with behavioral therapy as part of a complete treatment program.
Concerta overdose can be fatal. Symptoms of overdose may include trouble breathing, loss of consciousness, and even death. If you or someone you know has abused this medication, contact the emergency services immediately.
Concerta is a controlled drug, which means it's regulated federally. It's classified as a Schedule II substance, which means it is able to be misused. People who misuse the drug may take it in ways that are not prescribed, like crushing it and snorting it, or using it to get high. They could also use the drug for a long time, which could result in addiction. If you have a prescription be sure to keep it out of reach of children.