Focalin vs. Concerta

• Are Focalin and Concerta the Same Thing?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Focalin?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Concerta?
• What Is Focalin?
• What Is Concerta?
• What Drugs Interact with Focalin?
• What Drugs Interact with Concerta?
• How Should Focalin Be Taken?
• How Should Concerta Be Used?

Focalin(dexmethylphenidate) andConcerta(methylphenidateextended release tablets) arecentral nervous systemstimulants used to treatattention deficit hyperactivity disorder(ADHD).

Side effectsof Focalin and Concerta that are similar includeanxiety,stomachupset orpain, loss of appetite,dry mouth,headache, orsleepproblems (insomnia)

Side effects of Focalin that are different from Concerta include restlessness, feeling jittery, orsore throat.

Side effects of Concerta that are different from Focalin includenausea, vomiting,dizziness,weight loss, irritability, vision problems,skinrash, nervousness, numbness/tingling/cold feelinginthe hands orfeet, orsweating.

Both Focalin and Concerta may interact withantidepressants,blood pressuremedications,bloodthinners, cold orallergymedicines that contain adecongestant, orseizuremedicines.

Concerta may also interact with monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), blood thinners,clonidine,dobutamine,epinephrine, isoproterenol,potassiumcitrate,sodium acetate,sodium bicarbonate, citric acid andpotassium citrate,sodiumcitrate and citric acid, stimulant medications, or diet pills.

Withdrawal symptomsmay occur if you suddenly stop taking Focalin or Concerta.

Common side effects of Focalin include:

• restlessness,
• anxiousness,
• 感觉紧张,
• stomach upset,
• loss of appetite,
• drymouth,
• sorethroat,
• headache, or
• sleep problems (insomnia)

Common side effects of Concerta include:

• stomach pain,
• loss of appetite,
• headache,
• dry mouth,
• nausea,
• vomiting,
• sleep problems (insomnia),
• anxiety,
• dizziness,
• weight loss,
• 易怒,
• vision problems,
• skin rash,
• nervousness,
• numbness/tingling/cold feeling in the hands or feet, and
• sweating.

Focalin (dexmethylphenidate) is a mild stimulant to thecentralnervous system used to treatattentiondeficithyperactivitydisorder (ADHD).

Concerta is a central nervous system stimulantprescriptionmedicine. It is used for the treatment of attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Concerta may help increase attention and decrease impulsiveness and hyperactivity in patients with ADHD.

Concerta should be used as a part of a total treatment program for ADHD that may include counseling or other therapies.

Concerta is a federally controlledsubstance(CII) because it can be abused or lead to dependence. Keep Concerta in a safe place to prevent misuse and abuse. Selling or giving away Concerta may harm others, and is against the law.

Tell yourdoctorif you or your child has (or has afamily history滥用或been dependent onalcohol, prescription medicines, or street drugs.

Focalin XRmay interact with MAO inhibitors,antacids, blood pressure medications, blood thinners, clonidine,seizure medications, or antidepressants. Tell your doctor all medications you use. Focalin XR should be used only when prescribed duringpregnancy. It is not known if thismedicationpasses intobreast milk. Consult your doctor beforebreastfeeding.

Tell your doctor if you or your child ispregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding.

Tell your doctor about all of the medicines that you or your child takes including prescription and nonprescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.Concerta and some medicines may interact with each other and cause serious side effects. Sometimes the doses of other medicines will need to be adjusted while taking Concerta.

Your doctor will decide whether Concerta can be taken with other medicines.

Especially tell your doctor if you or your child takes:

• antidepression medicines including MAOIs
• seizure medicines
• blood thinner medicines
• blood pressure medicines
• cold or allergy medicines that contain decongestants

Know the medicines that you or your child takes. Keep a list of your medicines with you toshowyour doctor andpharmacist.

Do not start any new medicine while taking Concerta without talking to your doctor first.

The recommended starting dose of Focalin XR is 5mg/day forpediatricpatients and 10 mg/day for adult patients. Dosage may be adjusted in 5 mg increments for pediatric patients and in 10 mg increments for adult patients.

Take Concerta exactly as prescribed. Your doctor may adjust the dose until it is right for you or your child.

Do not chew, crush, or divide the tablets.

Swallow Concerta tablets whole withwateror other liquids. Tell your doctor if you or your child cannot swallow Concerta whole. A different medicine may need to be prescribed.

Concerta can be taken with or withoutfood.

Take Concerta once each day in the morning. Concerta is an extended-releasetablet. It releases medication into your or your child's body throughout the day.

The Concerta tablet does not dissolve completely in the body after all the medicine has been released. You or your child may sometimes notice the empty tablet in abowelmovement. This is normal.

From time to time, your doctor may stop Concerta treatment for a while to check ADHD symptoms.

Your doctor may do regular checks of the blood,heart, and blood pressure while taking Concerta. Children should have their height and weight checked often while taking Concerta. Concerta treatment may be topped if a problem is found during these check-ups.

If you or your child takes too much Concerta or verdoses, call your doctor orpoison control centerright away, or get emergency treatment.