What Is Concerta?

Concerta is a medication given to patients who have attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, also known as ADHD. This medication is effective because it can balance the brain’s naturally occurring neurotransmitters. When ADHD patients begin their treatment, Concerta can help them pay attention, stay focused, organize tasks, improve listening skills, control behavior problems and more.

Just like starting any new medication, Concerta may produce certain side effects in some patients. Less serious side effects of using Concerta include nervousness, trouble sleeping, loss of appetite, weight loss, dizziness, nausea, vomiting and headache. If you notice these side effects are persisting or worsening, contact your doctor as soon as possible.

Although many patients do not experience serious side effects from Concerta, it is important to know these symptoms so you can spot them if needed. Serious Concerta side effects are signs of blood flow problems, unusual wounds on the fingers or toes, fast heartbeat, irregular heartbeat, agitation, aggression, mood swings, abnormal thoughts, thoughts of suicide, uncontrolled muscle movements, twitching, shaking, sudden outbursts of sounds that are hard to control and vision changes. Do not hesitate to call your doctor if you notice these serious Concerta side effects.

Get medical attention as soon as possible if you experience these very serious Concerta side effects: fainting, seizure, symptoms of a heart attack, shortness of breath, unusual sweating, symptoms of a stroke, confusion and sudden vision changes.

Concerta Withdrawal And Detox

If you are thinking about discontinuing your Concerta treatment, set up a meeting with your doctor so they can gradually lower your Concerta dose over time. Do not stop taking Concerta cold turkey, as this can produce unwanted withdrawal symptoms. Tapering off your Concerta dose will give your body enough time to adjust to less and less of the medication. Remember, do not adjust your Concerta dose or treatment schedule without being told to do so by your doctor. 

What Are Common Concerta Withdrawal Symptoms?

Common Concerta withdrawal symptoms include dysphoria, difficulty sleeping, feelings of fatigue, unpleasant and very vivid dreams, psychomotor agitation and a significantly increased appetite. Tapering off your Concerta dose over time will help you avoid experiencing these Concerta withdrawal symptoms. 

Concerta Withdrawal Timeline And Symptom Durations

Typically, patients begin to experience the aforementioned Concerta withdrawal symptoms seven days after they stop their Concerta treatment. However, every patient’s unique physiology contributes to how quickly Concerta will be removed from the body. Several factors like your age, metabolism, genetics, organ functions, Concerta usage frequency and more all contribute to how long Concerta will stay in your system. 

Managing Withdrawal Symptoms Of Concerta

If you are having issues managing Concerta withdrawal symptoms, you may want to enter a medically assisted detoxification program. This type of program will help you safely detox from Concerta while you learn skills on how to cope with your individual withdrawal challenges from medically trained staff. 

Concerta Medications And Detox

It is important to keep an updated list of your current medications and share this with your doctor. You should also include over the counter drugs and herbal products in your list, as these may interact with Concerta. MAO inhibitors should be avoided while you are using Concerta. Specifically, you should avoid isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue, moclobemide, phenelzine, procarbazine, rasagiline, safinamide, selegiline and tranylcypromine MAO inhibitors. It is also recommended that Concerta patients avoid medications containing dexmethylphenidate.

How To Choose A Concerta Center

Choosing the Concerta rehab center to fit your specific needs is a big step in your journey to recovery. Set up a meeting with your doctor to discuss what you should look for in a Concerta center. You may want to consider how long you have been taking Concerta and your Concerta dosage levels when choosing a Concerta center.

If you or someone you know is suffering from Concerta addiction or another substance use disorder, get help as soon as possible. The Recovery Village has a variety of life-saving resources and treatment programs available for those struggling with substance use disorder. Call our confidential hotline, which is open 24 hours a day, at 888-441-2410 to learn more about the resources and treatment options available through The Recovery Village.

Even though recovering from substance use disorder can be difficult, The Recovery Village is prepared to stick by your side during every step of your recovery journey. Getting the help you need today will help ensure you live a happier, healthier tomorrow.

Medical Disclaimer

The Recovery Village aims to improve the quality of life for people struggling with substance use or mental health disorder with fact-based content about the nature of behavioral health conditions, treatment options and their related outcomes. We publish material that is researched, cited, edited and reviewed by licensed medical professionals. The information we provide is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. It should not be used in place of the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare providers.