| Concerta, a brand name for the drug | | | | medication. When prescribed at the correct |
| Methylphenidate, is an amphetamine-like | | | | dosage, Concerta is usually well-tolerated by |
| prescription stimulant commonly used to treat | | | | patients. |
| Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, ADHD in | | | | Some consider the treatment of children with |
| children and adults. | | | | stimulant medication to be controversial since the |
| Other brand names include Ritalin, Ritalina, | | | | number of children taking them has increased |
| Metadate, Methylin and Rubifen. Concerta is also | | | | dramatically over the years. However, criticism |
| one of the primary drugs used to treat | | | | that Concerta and other brand name drugs that |
| symptoms of traumatic brain injury and the | | | | contain methylphenidate are over prescribed may |
| daytime drowsiness symptoms of narcolepsy and | | | | be unfounded. The incidence of ADHD is believed |
| chronic fatigue syndrome. | | | | to be between three and five percent of the |
| This drug and was initially prescribed as a | | | | population, while the number of children in America |
| treatment for depression, chronic fatigue, and | | | | taking Concerta and Ritalin is estimated at one to |
| narcolepsy, among other ailments. Beginning in the | | | | two percent. |
| 1960s, it was used to treat children with ADHD, | | | | Some have argued that prescription of stimulant |
| known at the time as hyperactivity or minimal | | | | medications sets children up for future addictions. |
| brain dysfunction. | | | | However, recent research suggests that boys |
| Today Concerta is a popular medication | | | | with ADHD who are treated with stimulants like |
| prescribed to treat ADHD around the world. | | | | Concerta are actually less likely to abuse drugs |
| According to most estimates, more than 75 | | | | including alcohol later in life. |
| percent of prescriptions containing Methylphenidate | | | | As long-term use of Concerta and other drugs |
| are written for children. Boys being about four | | | | that contain methylphenidate was relatively |
| times as likely to take Concerta as girls. | | | | uncommon before the 1990s. The long-term |
| Concerta is a central nervous system stimulant. It | | | | neurological effects were not well researched. In a |
| has a "calming" effect on many children who have | | | | 2005 study, no "clinically significant" effects on |
| ADHD, reducing impulsive behavior and the | | | | growth, vital signs, tics, or laboratory tests |
| tendency to "act out", and helps them | | | | including urinalysis, hematology/complete blood |
| concentrate on schoolwork and other tasks. | | | | counts, electrolytes, and liver function tests were |
| Adults who have ADHD often find that Concerta | | | | observed after 2 years of treatment. |
| increases their ability to focus on tasks and | | | | Disclaimer: The information presented here should |
| organize their lives. | | | | not be interpreted as medical advice. Please seek |
| Concerta has been found to have a lower | | | | professional medical advice regarding the use of |
| incidence of side-effects compared to | | | | Concerta or any other medication containing |
| dextroamphetamine, a less commonly prescribed | | | | Methylphenidate. |