The First Time Released Medicine For ADHD

As ADD/ADHD medications go, Concerta is a relatively new drug. But in the short time it's been available, it seems to be an extremely popular choice. Concerta contains the same active ingredient that Ritalin has, the stimulant methylphenidate.

The advantage of this drug over many of the others is that you -- or your child -- only need to take it once a day. In fact, when it was introduced to the pubic, it was the only time-released formula available. And now you can see why it gained popularity so very quickly

One single tablet provides up to 12-hour coverage. But more importantly, in the eyes of those who created it, Concerta provides an evenly dispersed amount of coverage. When children take Ritalin several times throughout the day, they'll experience the normal peaks and valleys that naturally come with the rising and falling of the medication in their bloodstream.

Concerta may be prescribed in four distinct dosing levels. Your physician may start you or your child out on the smallest dose, 18 mg. The other three dosages are: 27 mg, 36 mg and 54 mg.

And it's this single use ease of the pill that sets it up as being unique from other ADD/ADHD medications when it was first released. Now there are other once daily ADHD medications as well. But it's also this delayed release mechanism that may cause concerns for some people taking it.

Quickly let's look at what the difference involved in taking 20 mg of Ritalin three times a day, to taking a 54 mg single pill of Concerta once a day. When looking at Concerta doses, it's important to know that 22% of the medicine is released immediately, and the rest of the pill supports that dose. That means that the 54 mg dose of concerta is like taking regular Ritalin 12 mg three times per day. This is obviously quite lower than Ritalin 20 mg per day. This is why it is important that your doctor get the dose right when using Concerta.

Side Effects of Concerta:

Of course, Concerta like any other prescription medication administered for any disorder or disease, is not free from adverse side effects. According to the medical community, the side effects of Concerta are less pronounced than some of the ones that accompany the use of the older medications. Some people not only complain of physical side effects, like abdominal pain, dizziness, and headaches. But some of the known effects of Concerta also include an increased feeling of aggravation, nervousness and even a pronounced hostility.

Others have reported, as a consequence of taking this drug, inability to sleep, loss of appetite, as coughing and the presence of sinusitis. Other side effects may include vomiting, allergic reactions as well as increased level of blood pressure.

Some individuals have even complained of experiencing symptoms most closely associated with psychosis, such as abnormal thinking or hallucinations. If when you're taking this medication, you experience any of these side effects, let your doctor know immediately.

Concerta can be a real hope for many people -- especially children -- who only want to take one pill a day. For many students, this single tablet alleviates the need to visit the school nurse at noon. And that can mean so much in the way of self esteem.

Not taking it now, but think it might be right for you? Check with your doctor. He'll be able to provide specific recommendations for your personal situation.