Concerta is a central nervous system stimulant prescription medicine used in the treatment for ADHD. The drug may increase attention and decrease impulsiveness and hyperactivity in patients with ADHD. Concerta, a methylphenidate compound, is the registered trademark of Alza Corporation, Mountain View, California, and is a federally controlled substance (CII) because it can be abused or lead to dependence. Selling or giving away the drug may harm other and is against the law. Concerta should be used as a total treatment program for ADHD that may include counseling or other therapies.

Because it is a stimulant medication, it is important to know there are two major risks associated with Concerta:

1. Heart-related problems such as sudden death in patients who have heart problems or heart defects; stroke and heart attack in adults; increased blood pressure and heart rate. The physician should be informed if these conditions are present or if there is a family history of the conditions.

2. Mental or psychiatric problems. If there are new or worse behavior and thought problems or new or worse bipolar illness, new or worse aggressive behavior or hostility. If children and teenagers experience new psychotic symptoms such as hearing voices, believing things that are not true or that are suspicious or if there are new manic symptoms.

Concerta should not be taken if you or your child has the following symptoms:

- Have heart disease or hardening of the arteries

- Have moderate to severe high blood pressure

- Have hyperthyroidism

- Have glaucoma, an eye condition

- Are anxious, tense, or agitated

- Have a history of drug abuse

- Are taking or have taken within the past 14 days an antidepression medicine that is a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI)

- Is sensitive or allergic to or has had a reaction to other stimulant medicine.

- Have tics or Tourette's syndrome

- Have liver or kidney problems

- Have a history of seizures or abnormal brain wave tests (EEG)

Possible side effects of Concerta include the following:

- Slowing of growth both height and weight in children

- Seizures, mainly in patients with a history of seizures

- Eyesight changes or blurred vision

- Blockages of the esophagus, stomach, or small or large intestine in patients

who already have a narrowing in any of these organs

- Upper belly pain

- Headache

- Dizziness

- Irritability

- Nausea

- Decreased appetite

- Dry mouth

- Trouble sleeping

This list may not be complete, and other side effects may occur. Check with the health professional if any unusual changes happen when taking Concerta.

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