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Concerta is a prescription central nervous system stimulant containing extended-release methylphenidate hydrochloride. It is approved for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in patients age 6 through 65. Tablets come in 18 mg, 27 mg, 36 mg, and 54 mg strengths and are taken once daily in the morning.
read more about concerta ...The exact therapeutic mechanism of methylphenidate in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is unknown. Methylphenidate blocks reuptake of norepinephrine and dopamine into presynaptic neurons and increases release of these monoamines into the space outside neurons.
Concerta is approved for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in patients age 6 through 65. Use is not recommended in children younger than 6 due higher drug exposure and a higher rate of adverse reactions at the same dose. Pretreatment assessment includes cardiac history and evaluation for motor or verbal tics.
Patients age 6 to 17 who are new to methylphenidate start at 18 mg once daily. Adults age 18 to 65 start at 18 mg or 36 mg once daily. Doses can rise in 18 mg increments at weekly intervals. The maximum is 54 mg daily for ages 6 to 12 and 72 mg daily for ages 13 to 65.
Concerta carries a boxed warning for abuse, misuse, and addiction, which can lead to overdose and death. Other risks include serious cardiac events in susceptible patients, increased blood pressure and heart rate, psychiatric reactions, priapism, peripheral vasculopathy, slowed pediatric growth, glaucoma, increased intraocular pressure, and worsening tics or Tourette syndrome.
Concerta treats attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in patients age 6 through 65.
Concerta is taken once daily in the morning, with or without food.
No. The extended-release tablets are swallowed whole with liquid and are not split, crushed, or chewed.
Yes. Methylphenidate is classified as a Schedule II controlled substance in the United States.
CONCERTA (methylphenidate hydrochloride) Extended-Release Tablets. https://www.concerta.net/. Date Accessed September 23, 2026.
CONCERTA (methylphenidate hydrochloride) Extended-Release Tablets Prescribing Information. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2026/021121s054lbl.pdf. Date Accessed September 23, 2026.
DailyMed - CONCERTA (methylphenidate hydrochloride) tablet, extended release. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=1a88218c-5b18-4220-8f56-526de1a276cd. Date Accessed September 23, 2026.
Methylphenidate. MedlinePlus. https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a682188.html. Date Accessed September 23, 2026.
Methylphenidate. PubChem. https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Methylphenidate. Date Accessed September 23, 2026.