There are 443 ratings for the drug: CONCERTA in the Askapatient database.

Key to ratings for concerta: 5-Very Satisfied: this medicine cured me or helped me a great deal. 4-Satisfied: this medicine helped. 3-Somewhat Satisfied: this medicine helped somewhat. 2-Not Satisfied: this medicine did not work to my satisfaction. 1-Dissatisfied: I would not recommend taking this medicine.

Page: 1  2 3 4 5    Results are sorted by Date Rating Was Added.

Rating	Reason	Side Effects	Comments	Sex	Age	Time Taken		Date Added
				F  M
Change sort order by clicking arrow under column heading.
4	BP 2 (possible AdHd)	loss of apetite-some kind of mild headache.	C. makes me calm,focused in a good way. C. has not the slightest resemblence of "street amphetamines" (yes,been there..) Made me able to connect with feelings and thoughts i`ve denied for years-slowed down and lined up my thinking just fine. Puzzling experience though.. I guess 36mg would be sufficient dosage,if diagnosed with AdHd.	M	44	14 days		2/7/2010
4	ADHD	Extreme anger, thoughts of suicide occasionally, loss of appetite, anxiety, depression, i become socially awkward, I have lost a few friends because of this recently. Twitches, stomach pains, memory loss, awful headaches every day. But my grades have gone up substantially and thats the most important thing.. So.. It is worth it		M	16	2 months		2/2/2010
1	adhd	tardive dysk		F	25	3 days		2/2/2010
3	ADHD	Insomnia, social anxiety, racing heart beat, bad breath, lots of focus though	After reading these comments, I've realized I share many of the same effects of concerta. When taking it, I can focus and get all my homework done but I just SUCK at talking to girls when on the medicine. To counter this, I started drinking and getting wasted at parties to get rid of my barriers but this is no good. I can't sleep either, I sit in bed with my mind racing and not being able to relax. This medicine has a love/hate relationship with me. Lastly, I get suicidal thoughts when taking high dosages, this is not fun and makes me really depressed.	M	19	5 years		2/1/2010 Email
3	adhd	wanted to smoke more! I feel real caffinated. But I am more focused.		F	36	2 weeks		1/26/2010 Email
3	ADHD	Headache, some loss of appetite, moodiness, crying, extreme anger, some dizziness	Trying Concerta to see if the side effects were better than another drug. I've only been on it for 4 days (3 days at 18mg, then today at 36mg). Today the anger was almost uncontrollable. Started wondering if it's the meds. Have seen some improvement in attention and focus, but not a lot. Doc says I'll probably need 54mg. I'll give this med 2-3 weeks, but if the anger remains, I'm going back to Vyvanse.	F	46	4 days		1/23/2010
4	ADHD	Loss of appetite. Possible memory loss?	My son started taking concerta a yr. ago. Huge change in his behavior. He is able to do work in class and homework. In the mornings and late evenings when the pill is not in his system he has a huge appetite and doesn't stop eating. I have found food and wrappers hidden in his bedroom recently that he sneaks, when I ask about them he has no idea how they got there. He is an amazing kid on and off the pill, a little harder to control off the pill. Takes him almost 2hrs. to get ready for school in the a.m. I have to motivate him with tv. in order to get him ready faster. He lies a lot about brushing teeth, cleaning his room,etc.	M	7	1 years		1/14/2010 Email
5	ADD	When I first started on this medication, I had a hard time for a couple of days dealing with anxiety like symptoms. (heart racing, manic sorts of feelings, the need to "go go go!") But after about a week I was feeling soo much better	Every medication has a different effect on each individual, and they always take a bit of time to get used to. For me, this med has been a life saver, it's made things so much easier for me. If your doctor has mentioned this med, take the ratings you see here for face value. Not every drug will work for every person, and if its not for you, you can stop taking it.	F	19	6 months		1/13/2010
4	ADHD	None really one day i accidently took it twice i couldnt eat lunch but almost any pill will do that.	I reccomend it. I really noticed a diffrence. I honestly believe that many of the side effects listed by others are some what in there head. I know many people like this, they will freak out about everything and think they need a pill for every single diffrence then when they take the pill they will freak out and feel like they have been imbalanced and start having stuff like anxiety attacks. I believe that these type of people need to quit taking most medication and seek help until they can set aside their unstable state of mind. However if you are a normal person i think you will be extremely satisfied with this drug.	M	17	2 years		1/7/2010 Email
1		Tachycardia, increased insomnia, loss of appetite, bad cramps, aggravation, etc.	I'm on 54mg and honestly, it's ruining me. I don't eat until around 9 or 10pm, and even then it's just a few bites. I recently saw a new doctor and she got extremely worried when she counted my heartbeat. It beats at a terrifyingly fast rate and I can feel my pulse when I'm sitting normal, not doing anything. As if my insomnia weren't bad enough, this makes it worse. On a good night, it takes me at least three hours to fall asleep. I also never had cramps before starting this drug, now they're near-unbearable. When I don't take the drugs, my friends comment all day, "I -love- you without your meds." I generally hate doing things when I'm on them, but I love things off them. I -hate- these drugs. If you're considering them for any reason at all, -don't-. You will hate what the drugs make you.	F	17	3 years		1/6/2010
3	ADHS	Lose of Appetite, can't sleep. experiencing pain in the knee. dry mouth and bad breath	my son has been taking concerta for a year now. I noticed that he loses weight and he lose hi appetite and now he is complaining a pain in hi knee. Though Concerta help him more focus and behave in school. Im just worried of the side effects.	M	8	1 days		1/3/2010
1	ADD	Depression, Social Isolation, Suicidal thoughts, loss of appetite, weight loss.	I am currently 19 and have the most structured life of anybody I know. I can't hangout with girls unless I drink, I haven't dated a girl since freshmen year of high school before i started taking concerta (I use to date many girls) and I'm never happy, the only time I'm happy is when I drink. I currently am contemplating suicide, this pill controls my entire life. I hope the drug companies are happy they made their billion dollar industry by making people act as if they were a robot. Sure my grades sky rocketed but in the end, I would rather be a college drop out than a successful person with money and suicidal thoughts. I have no personality when I am on my pill, the only time my personality comes out is at night when I drink, and its a belligerent personality. I would trade anything to have never been prescribed to this drug. Drug companies control everything	M	19	5 years		1/3/2010 Email
3	ADHD	My 7 year old son started taking Concerta about 9 months ago and for the last few days has been getting very emotional over the littlest things, and tonight he started having a big anxiety attack thinking that today was Friday and that yesterday was Thursday and when my wife and I started trying to explain what day it was he became very Inconsolable and there was just no getting through to him. This has probably been the worst side effect that we have noticed, the other is we weren't giving it to him on the weekends just because it just isn't him when he's on it but as time went on we had to raise his dose and the higher the dose the harder it was to handle him on the weekends without it. We decided to start weekend doses about a month ago and now the weekends are great because there is no fights or bad listening, but he also doesn't seem the same it always feels like his head is in the clouds so at this point I am at my wits end especially after the meltdown tonight. My poor little	Also the medication has helped him in school, and his teacher hasn't said anything about abnormal behavior just that he can out read anybody in his class.	M	7	9 months		12/31/2009 Email
3	ADHD	weight loss, dry mouth which led to horrible breath,anger outbursts, increased perspiration,hyper focusing,	I loved being able to concentrate, and the weight loss was an unexpected side effect. However, the way I treated my family was not worth it. I would rather be scatter brained and keep a messy house than be thin and bitchy all the time. Also my sister started taking it in the past 6 mths, ( to lose weight), she has lost many relationships because how it causes her to behave.	F	32	2 years		12/28/2009
1	ADD	Rage, extreme anger, Suicidal thoughts, depression	My son had been diagnosed with depression and ADD. He took the Concerta one day and went into a full blown rage. He was like a different person. We ended up having to hospitalize him for suicide threats. Later he said that he was focused only on his problems an couldn't think of anything else. We will never use this drug again.	M	16	1 days		12/17/2009
2	ADHD without theHD		Hello Lisa, I stop taking it all together. I really need something, but sense I loss my Job I wasn't able to see a doctor. Now that I'm back working I'm going to see if I can get on something else or lower the dose that I was taking. Thanks for your question. Eric B.	M	45	8 months		12/9/2009 Email
3	ADD	The first day I took it (18mg - at around noon), I was up until 3am because I was so wired. I had to wake up at 6am when I took another pill and functioned normally all day. After a couple weeks, I noticed this unreasonable anger building inside. I spoke to my doctor about it and he upped the dose to 36mg I believe. He told me that the beginning dose was to get my body used to it more gradually and that the anger was to be expected since the 18mg is usually a dose prescribed to younger kids. I have been on this medication for about 3 years now. Slowly, at the max does of 54mg, the anger is returning and I assume that it is because my body is becoming acclimated to it. Also, after all this time, I am noticing that the stimulant effect when I first take it is virtually non-existent. I've also noticed that I have become further anti-social (pre existing personality disorder traits are being amplified ten fold).	I am considering going off this medication because of the type that it is (stimulant). I dread the thought of what I will be like as I go off of it and replace it with Stratera (which is a non-stimulant that works in about 70% of patients). I was previously on Ritalin, but it wasn't working for me.	M	36	3 years		12/8/2009 Email
3	ADHD	Extreme loss of appetite until knocked down to lower dosage,Zombie like states all throughout the day, small insomnia, no twitches or ticks, when i work out extreme loss of breath, when i was taken off of it for one summer gained 20 lbs in 3 weeks then lost it all again during the length of school.		M	14			12/8/2009
4	Add	Sleep wierd patterns, light headed sometimes, onn off side effects i feel kinda high occassionaly ,anxiety sometimes. I am still a slow test taker, its not that i dont know the material, its like having to look through files in my brain for every question	Okay i have been on add meds for seven years and im 15. Concerta for atleast 3 years. Side effect have varried alot for me. I have learned if i dont eat breakfast and take my meds i get sick. I get headaches (may be unrealated we can blame it always) it works (concerta) 75% of the time. But i noticed also that i am now dependant on it. I sometimes physically cant stay awake if i dont take it in the morning. Its like my eyes cant focus enough to say open. I've tried pinching myself, counting the bricks on the wall but i cant stay awake. I instantly feel better after i take my meds. I may still be tired but i can stay awake. I use to be quite the insomniac (pardon my spelling) but now i can fall asleep whenv ever i want because i am more tired. I am also kinda addicted to caffine. ( idk if this is realated but its 1am and i am add) i can go without for a week if i choose but i feel like im depressed if i dont have some(caffine). I need it after school when my meds wear off.	F	15	7 years		12/7/2009 Email
4	ADHD	headache, weight loss	it seems that many of these comments come from users or parents of users who are very uninformed about how this and other ADHD medications work. also its important to be aware that if there are other mental health problems simultaeously occuring one might have much more dramatic symptoms. if someone who was bi-polar was put on concerta he would most likely become manic, irritable, sleepless, and have pronouced mood swings. personally, it has worked well. you must be mature and self-aware enough to notice when you are being irrationally irritable or not eating properly. if that is too much to ask then it seems silly to be on this drug.	F	25	8 years		12/5/2009
1	My son DID for ADHD	He developed insomnia, loss of appetite, Tics, aggression, depression, withdrawn, and short term memory loss....THIS DRUG HAS ONLY BEEN OUT 8 YEARS NO ONE EVEN KNOWS WHAT THE LONG TERM AFFECTS CAN BE	This is one of the drugs we are going to see on TV in 15 years saying if you or anyone you know took this drug call.....My son is only 9 now and thank god I took him off concerta when I did! Since then I tried herbal medication and changed his diet but it didn't help. I recently put him on 5mg of Aderol and he is now a A/B student and he is happy.	M	8	20 months		12/3/2009 Email
3	adhd	none	none	M	40	2 weeks		11/28/2009
4	Difficulty focusing (ADHD?)	lose of appetite, dry mouth/throat, jaw tension, rapid heart beat, and a temporary weird pain on the upper right hemisphere- it doesn't hurt, it's just weird	I am taking 18mg Positive: it allows me to focus and i was able to stay seated for almost 8 hours doing research (of course I occasionally got to use the bathroom, make something to eat/drink). i don't feel tired, it keeps me alert and i agree that it helps you think about things more thoroughly- i seem to write better reports, essays, poems etc because the external noises seems blocked out so i'm less distracted. i can get into a (literary) groove and stay there until the task is complete. Negative: seems like lose of appetite is the recurring side effect mentioned (thank god it's not just me). actually, i get very particular with what i want to eat i.e. i'll want to eat only the tomatoes in the salad so i concur about having to force yourself to eat everything. i get dry throat and feel like i have to keep drinking liquids or i'll feel dizzy. sometimes i get this weird tingle or pain on the upper right hemisphere, it doesn't hurt but i get paranoid. i also get a rapid heart beat which really scares me but that goes away after a few hours-so i recommend staying away from caffeinated drinks. my jaw tenses up a lot. i also find that i have less coordination/stability for certain things i.e. typing, lightly brushing concealer, painting nails, zipping up my boots- which is not a big deal-just something i notice. probably because i feel so anxious to get things done on concerta that little things that require more detail are a bit of a challenge. hope this helps.	F	23	5 months		11/24/2009
5	ADHD	In beginning major appetite loss. Then hungry about 9pm on. I must make a concious effort to eat properly. It has been worth the extra effort! Ive only lost 5 pounds in 3 months.	Misdiagnosed! Professionals always told me I had ADHD but it was never addressed. Until a few months ago. I've done well in business/personal. Hard on family. Life(within me)hasn't been enjoyable, nor satisfying. I lived for crisis and problems to solve "BUT" life & people bored me. Everyone was on relax mode. Boring! My mind raced! I never completed what I thought I should. For 25yrs, Ive been told, I am severely depressed. A physician, asked to treat the ADHD. Its Concerta! I started at low dose and went up to taking, 54mg 3 x day. Very high dose,other physicians were consulted. It works a max of 4 hours. It keeps me calm! I can now finally relax! I can actually do one thing at a time! I can talk to a person, and ONLY focus on them! My depression has lifted. I no longer feel guilty for not doing more. I feel I am accomplishing what I think "normal" persons should. Now my mind and body are one. I'm greatful! Life is awesome! My family likes the results.	F	50	3 months		11/18/2009 Email
5	ADHD	insomnia if taken after 8am, lack of appetite, weight loss, extreme appetite when not taking it, annoyances with friends	About a month ago, my psychiatrist prescribed me concerta, and so far so good. my GPA had been going up, i dont feel so out of place while with others, and i have been losing weight(GOOD, for me, someone who is overweight) I feel like it doesnt make me have to pay attention, but now i have the option to be able to focus on work	F	16	1 months		11/5/2009
4	ADD	LACK OF SLEEP, better focus, thinking before I say things, sometimes bad breath, severe anxiety, and tons of worries.	I started taking concerta when I was 7, and I started out at 18 mg. Since that time I have bumped up on dosage to 54 mg as my weight and height increased. When I started the drug it completely changed my life. I thought more about what I was doing, and I did not just say things that popped into my head. I learned a lot better and quicker, and now maintain a 4.0. Concerta is great, until you try and go to sleep at night. Laying in bed, I will have severe anxiety and worries to the point where I cannot even fall asleep at night. Some of the things that I worry about are very unreasonable. I feel like I cannot stop my mind from slowing down at night. I usually do not fall asleep until around 2:00 a.m. even on school nights. It's so frustrating. When I worry, or have severe anxiety, I will start out with a small worry, and then over a period of 5 minutes be worrying about a whole bunch of things at the same time. My mind will be racing like it's going 60 mph. Like I said before, Concerta changed my life, but note the side effects before taking it.	F	16	10 years		10/29/2009
3	ADD	Lack of hunger, spaced out feeling with too many thoughts, and muscle tension.	I have been taking Concerta for quite sometime now and even though people complain that it doesnt work...they should really take into account that the dosage could be wrong. I learned at least with my own body that you have to adjust yourself to the medication. The first week I started taking it I ate almost nothing for a whole week. I lost twenty pounds. I alerted my doctor, she lowered the dose and my body evened out. You really cannot say weather or not this medicine is working for someone based on their behaviors. THEY have to decide that on their own. Trust me they can tell if they are behaving differently. Concerta helps you think things through more. If someone wants to commit suicide or play with their hair or anyother behaviors that doesnt mean that the Concerta isnt working or it makes them think through it more. It is still their own decision to act on those thoughts. Be patient talk with your doctor and see what other possibilities are out there. And PARENTS talk with your kid about what they are feeling and thinking. Dont assume and dont judge. Medicines like this are serious so talk to your kid in a calm mature manor. Any questions feel free to ask.	M	19	3 years		10/28/2009 Email
1	ADHD	side neck pain, headaches, not hungrey, sad, then really angry	My son has been taking this medication since June 2009 I know its NOT working!! He twists his hair, he seems very very depressed does not sleep. I am having a hard time because my ex thinks its working and does not belive me that he has these side effects... I know as a mom regardless what the doctor says its not working for my kids....there has to be a more natural way...I know is messing him up more down the road......I feel helpless :(	M	10	6 months		10/27/2009 Email
4	ADHD	flushing of face, headache, nausea, loss of appetite, listlessness after it wears off.	36 mg. improved concentration in the morning & afternoons most days. some days it seems like i haven't taken it. super motivated to do things (homework, etc.). just hanging out at a friends house seems excruciatingly boring now.	F	16	2 weeks		10/19/2009
4	ADD	headaches "36mg"	The usuall side effects of concerta that I have experienced, "insomnia, decreased appetite, social isollation, etc", within my first week were generally mild and has practicly subsided after the second week. I now have entered my 4th month and started recieving strange headaches. The pain can be described as a "preasure feeling" on top of head and the particular sensation is quite painful and can last from a day up to 3 to 4 days. The pain sucks, but overal, concerta 36 works very well, helps with my music, work, tough college courses and I'm extremely satistfied in it's possitive direction.	M	20	4 months		10/11/2009
1	ADD	listlessness, loss of interest in anything, unable to sit down for any period of time, delusional thoughts	Although I was dealing with other things in my life, I believe that Concerta is what ultimately led to my psychotic break. I started at 36 mg, and from the first day I took it, I couldn't sleep at night. My racing thoughts kept me up for hours, and I couldn't stop thinking crazy thoughts in my head. During the day, I felt robotic. I couldn't hold a conversation with any of my closest friends. I would walk from room to room in my house, and completely forget why I was there. I showed no interest in tv, books, or the internet, three of my favorite activities. I completely isolated myself, and was terrified of going back to school. My heartbeat was so rapid, I thought it would burst out of my chest. I stopped taking it after a week, and the awful side effects remained. I returned to school, and a week later I landed myself in the psych ward, and had to take the semester off. Eight months later Im myself again and perfectly happy, but it took me a long time to get to this place. I would not recommend this drug to anyone. I temporarily lost my mind, and in my opinion, Concerta's not even worth trying it if it means risking your sanity. If anyone is experiencing any similar side effects, and would like to vent or ask questions, feel free to email me at lad66@pitt.edu.	F	20	7 days		10/3/2009
4	adult ADHD	Slowing down of pretty much everything - this is a good thing// times stands still/ I walk/ drive/ talk more slowly/ at work I don't bark out orders like I used to/ difficulty sleeping - getting to sleep or falling back asleep if awakened/ no appetite/ increased sweating/ cold intolerance/ less desire for wine/ slight weepiness but I think at this point it's just being able to take so much more in - it's a bit overwhelming how much I didn't notice before.	My son was diagnosed with ADHD and started on meds at age 8 over a year ago - he's a tiny kid to begin with so the appetitie supression is an issue but he's up to 27 mg and it has helped sooooo much with school/ social/ hockey// he has some occasional inexplicable sadness and rare angry defiant outbursts but these happened before meds and were much worse. I was diagnosed simply by having a son who was just like his mom, and I finally decided to try the meds. I am a nurse practitioner. It's too soon to predict anything long term but for now I'm impressed and I understand my son much better. As well I am so much calmer with him so there have been NO arguments with him since I started meds - insert lightbulb moment here. I'm on 45 mg. I think the trick is to just slightly undertreat rather than overtreat to avoid the side effects. It's not an easy thing.	F	45	8 days		9/25/2009
3	adhd	stomach pains, constipation, missing a lot of school	I dont know if it is the concerta, but my son has been having severe stomach pains then feels like he's starving at night and eat for a couple of hours straight. we have to force him to stop eating to give his stomach a rest. We were told that he was lactose intolerant but we took him off milk products and he still has this problem. Now im wondering if the concerta is causing digestive problems because he doesnt eat anything them gorges himself for hours. If anyone else is having this problem please e-mail me at paul.arnold@cox.net im going to take him off concerta this week and see what happens even though his dr. insists its not his problem	M	10	3 years		9/25/2009 Email
5	adhd	Sometimes dry mouth.	Concerta has changed my life. I am very productive at work and now function in a variety of environments. Getting starting on and completing a project is now possible. Overall ability to focus has provides a nice sense of control	M	53	6 years		9/24/2009
3	Adult ADHD	Sleepiness, cloudy thinking, slow motion feeling, over sleeping in the morning on 36 mg daily	I have tried taking the generic version of 10 mg adderall previously and got horrible side effects, so I was prescribed Concerta and don't really feel it doing anything except causing sleepiness and slow motion feelings. Has not affected my sleeping at night at all like it says it does in the side effects. I take it at 7 a.m. with my breakfast.	F	26	2 days		9/22/2009
3	ADHD - Seve leaning disability	SUICIDE thoughts! I am thinking like that right now!!! weight lost, memory lost and increased anxiety. 36MG 8mos now. Want to be isolated from people.	sense being put on concerta I lost my job, so i haven't been able to work with my doctor to adjust my meds. Now that stress have been introduced into my life by not having a job and bills mounting - I'm feeling very overwhelmed. My job interviews are even affected. I believe this medication my help if I can work with my doctor to adjust my meds. I'm very sad right now!!!	M	45	8 months		9/16/2009 Email
3	ADD	Dry eyes, and a few head aches the first week or so. I feel as though i may be gaining weight. i feel like i may be retaining water but i dont know if that has anything to do with the concerta		F	19	4 weeks		9/13/2009 Email
5	ADD	I lost alott wieght i have ben on this since 14 years i never had any problem with jitter or anything i had no side affects beside weight loss it really didnt bother me.. I'm 18 yr old now and i take 72 grams a day every morning and i feel fine	if your looking for sumthing that gonna make u loose wieght i wouldnt take this because if u dont have add or adhd i wouldnt recommend this product u will get dizzy u will feel like sh!T .. the only advise i can give to people when u take concerta or your starting out take it in the morning before 12 eat a good meal not to big just a nice meal and dont eat untill u get hungry again because if u eat too much concerta wont work for u not unless u have high dosage soo take it before 12 eat when only u get hungry and u shouldnt feel any side affect ull know when your hungry or not and i dont reccomend takin this then working out because if u do take it and then say 1 hour latter u work out ull feel very dizzy u might wanna puke u and u can pass out because this product is only for people have problems if u do this and u dont have a problem and ur just doin this to loose wieght u will really hurt ur body and u can have even fatal problems ... some of my friends they ben on this since 12 yrs old they sumtimes i have to stop every weekend and only wen they need it take it because they start seeing sh!T but that also because loss of apatite soo if u have a problem focus or u cant calm down this a perfect product for u i know alott friend on other products and it makes them wanna kill them self some people cant do this other can it depend on ur body and mental mind if u have any more question or u want any advise email me ksidelta@yahoo.com and people if u wanna say sumthing bad or u	M	18	4 years		9/7/2009
4	ADHD	Loss of appetite, inner tension/jittery sensation, impatience, low tolerance for noise/any distractions, self-induced social isolation, mild paranoia/social anxiety, loss of interest in many things that used to make me happy but no real depression, excessive sweating in the armpit region, and "alien-like" thought patterns that involve reading into things/various stimuli in the environment and making connections from the input	This is a strange drug. I go through periods where I really feel as if it's helping me, and then at other times I notice how it has changed me, not always for the better either. Anyway, I have lost almost 30 pounds while taking concerta and have definitely noticed an increase in my ability to maintain my focus. The problem is that this focus usually takes the form of a hyperfocus, which means that family and friends are pushed aside. Of course, this leads to social isolation, which only feeds the social anxiety effects of this drug that I eventually endure if and when I am in social situations. I would definitely say that this drug is effective, but the way that it can affect thoughts, mood, and behavior is something to strongly consider if and when deciding whether or not you or your loved ones might benefit from it.	M	27	90 days		9/4/2009
1	ADD	My husband killed himself	I have completed this feedback to alert others on behalf of My Darling Husband. It is his information I have submitted My husband was depressed. The Concerta intensified this and allowed him to concentrate/focus enough to complete suicide	M	33	6 days		8/29/2009 Email
3	ADD	I cannot bring myself to eat anything at all from the moment I take the pill to about eleven hours afterward (6 am until 5 pm). I have frequent (albiet small) panic attacks throughout the day (I had only had one panic attack in my life before Concerta) After the pill wears off, though, I raid the kitchen and eat several meals at odd times (lunch around 5 pm, dinner around 9 pm, and a large snack around 12 am). During the course of the day, a bottle of Pepsi is all I can bring myself to have to eat. When the medicine wears off, I can't concentrate on anything (homework gives me many problems). My vision is blurred, and during this time, I become obsessed with one topic. Right now it is the side effects of Concerta (that's why I'm typing this now, I guess). Before the side effects of Concerta, it was methods of suicide. Before that, it was atheism and philosophy. During this time, I feel dizzy and tired (although I am not able to take a nap during this time.) After that stage, a	Although I've got some pretty bad side effects from it, Concerta does help me concentrate and remain interested in school work. I am still taking the medicine, and I think I will be for a while. I'm not sure I'd recommend it to others for long term use, but I don't think it'd hurt too bad to try it for a little bit. I have a bunch of side effects that are very uncommon, but about 75% of those taking Concerta won't have any side effects at all. I would recommend highly that someone with ADD try out the medicine, because even my side effects (pardon my French: Hell.) are outweighed by the benefits of the medicine.	M	17	1 years		8/27/2009 Email
4	ADD	I am on a few different meds, all with similiar side-effects -unsure which are a direct result of using concerta... weight loss, loss of apetite, food intolerances, hot flushes, buzzing in ears, head aches, diarrhea, nausea, dizziness, seeing spots in front of eyes -I pass out if I don't sit down, palpitations, irregular heart rate, muscle weakness, fatigue when it wears off, sore throat, cold hands and feet, skin problems, insomnia, muscle spams, pins and needles in feet, buzzing in ears, sweating, coughing, dry mouth, sensitive to sound and movement	It works for the ADD: memory and concentration has improved, was on 54mg, then went down to 36mg because of chronic muscle weakness.	F	20	4 months		8/20/2009
3	ADHD	sadness, increased anxiety, loss of appetite, listlessness	My son (9 yrs) started on the 18 mg dose and we noticed a great improvement in his concentration and behavior; however, the 18 mg effect only lasted for a few weeks. The dr. increased it to 54mg and although he could concentrate at school, the other side effects are very bad. High anxiety, feelings of bugs crawling on him all the time. sad, listless, doesn't eat or drink all day long. Although Concerta helped in the beginning, the overall side effects are too drastic to continue	F	38	6 months		8/18/2009
4	ADD	Racing heart beat, loss of appetite(YAY), thirsty all the time, insomnia..but nothing a little nyquil cant cure, some hot flashes, CRASHING when the med wears off- extreme tiredness, exhaustion, no mental or physical energy to think or do anything,	Just discovered how ADD I am.. Have had a major "light bulb moment" (omg thats what has been wrong with me my whole life?) Let me tell you how concerta has changed my quality of life this past week. I have so much more energy and motivation. I wake up every morning feeling refreshed and ready to start doing something-anything- and being able to finish whatever i am doing. Its an amazing feeling. I just DREAD the end of the day when it starts wearing off.	F	19	6 days		8/17/2009
1	ADHD	Headache, muscle twitching, slight tunnel vision, in and out of zombie like state around 5 to 6 hours in, with every heartbeat my body seems to pulse intensely, loss of appetite (yeah i can lose a few pounds but i very much ENJOY eating!), sensitivity to noise, very thirsty, kinda cloudy feeling.	MY HEAD HURTS SOOOOOOO BAD! I'm giving this medicine a week tops, it's only the first day but i feel like shit as if i have had a horrible sinus headache (the kind that make you wanna throw up). I feel the same attention wise (or lack there of). i'm not so sure about this medication.	F	20	1 days		8/7/2009 Email
2	To help me concentrate.	I lost a lot of weight when I first started taking Concerta.	It makes me jittery, I can't get out of bed in the morning, and I feel as though I shouldn't waste time doing simple things i.e. making my lunch, taking a shower, sweeping the floor etc. Also, now I find that my personality has become very aggressive whereas I was once a quiet person who stayed in the background. This will be a good thing when United Fund time comes around. I usually had no guts to say I didn't want to give; now I'll tell them point blank I have two favorite charities I give to anyway. Why be forced into giving just because a person of higher authority in the work place comes and asks you the amount you are going to contribute this year. In closing, I don't even know why the doctor put me on Concerta but psychiatrists have no qualms about dishing out pills. I wouldn't give this medicine to a child.	F	65	3 years		7/22/2009
4	ADHD	Sometimes hard for me to fall asleep at night. However, I don't have problems if I take it as soon as I get up in the morning and I am up a full 15 or so hours.	It has helped me tremendously in regards to being impulsive. I am taking 54mg. When I first moved up to this dosage I had some dry mouth problems but that has gone away. I have more focus and I am able to finish projects that I start. Very happy with the medication. Not sure if I am at the correct dosage yet though.	F	36	1 days		7/18/2009
5	ADHD	None	This medication dramatically changed my life. Attention deficit is not only a childhood problem, it also effects adutls	F	67	4 years		7/14/2009
3	ADHD	Since 36MG I have suffered from TMJ. I am currently on 72MG and the clenched jaw is intense. I find the tension builds up when I get mildly stressed. The jaw pain even develops when playing video games like RockBand2	I have been using concerta for almost a year. Been able to focus on tasks I previously was interested in, but ever followed through. Now I can.	M	35	1 years		7/11/2009 Email
2	ADD	Have no side effect after taken 36mg for about 6 month.	Concerta work some days and other days as if I never took it. When it did work I was calmer and focus at times. In the past I did take Strattera which REALLY had my focus and spot on with all my work tasks. I was taken off due to a heart attack but I at the time I was taking over the Fat Burner to loss weight. Well with the right changes in my diet and exercise, I do not need the Fat Burners. I will begin back on Strattera next week.	M	42	6 months		7/10/2009
5	ADHD	loss of appetite, jittery, increased sweating	Concerta has helped me focus and complete tasks when I start them. I don't mind the weight loss as I am trying to lose weight. Overall I am very pleased with this drug.	M	31	2 months		7/1/2009
3	ADHD/ ODD	Severe mood swings and violent outbursts	My son was diagnosed with ADHD in Nov. 2008. The doctor put him on concerta (18mg). It worked instantly. I was so happy. He was not moving around in class he was able to concentrate. It was a wonder drug. Well in Feb. the dosage was increased to 27mg because of the length of the effectiveness did not get him through the day. 3 weeks later I noticed a change in him of mild moodiness. at times he would have a temper tantrum. In May the dosage was increased again, now to 36mg. Big mistake I think. He became violent and distructive at school. It even got to a point where he was physically abusive himself. He bust his lip with a book and bled all down his mouth. just yesterday he went bolistic in the mall to the point I had to call mall security to escort me back to my vehicle. The psychitrist said it is not the concerta because the side effects would have been seen within 24 hours of the first dose back in Nov. But to me there is no other explaination for his outburts. He has never been violent like this. I have a master's degree in psychology, but I am currently teaching, I feel helpless because I can't help my child. I am going to request the doctor change his medicine because for my son the side effects outweigh the benefits.	M	8	7 months		6/26/2009
4	ADD/LD	Loss of Appetite, anger, depression, social problems, quiet, sat in my room all day	I have been taking concerta since I was 5 or 6 and now I am 17 years old. It was perfect when I was a kid and didn't have worries in life, but since i was in 6th grade I became very anti-social, made excuses for myself not to go to friends house or go out, I just went to school and talked to know one and then went home and layed on my computer at home, I thought everything in life was out to get me and nothng seemed fair. I have these side effects still and I stopped taking it for 2 weeks on my own to see what happened, and alot has changed, I ate more and I acknowledged my boyfriend A WHOLE LOT more, normally on the medicine Nothng he said mattered and when we faught I yelled and hit him and said I am right... Now i dont.. I still have social problems only because I didnt give myself anough time to become social... on the other hand, my grades are so good. I can not concentrate at school without it, and without it i would be failing literally, there were days where I forgot to take it and just took forever for the day to end ... But that has been the best side effect, i just wish it didnt have all the others.	F	17	13 years		6/25/2009 Email
4	ADD	Loss of appetite, haven't gained weight since I started taking. If I take it after 10 in the morning I can't fall asleep until 4, but if taken before no sleep problems. Always dizzy, sometimes bad headaches. Moody sometimes, but hey, I'm a teenager.	I never realized how ADD I was until I started taking concerta. I can concentrate so easily now, and my grades have rocketed. Make sure and take it before 10, or I would suggest just skipping. I completely lose my appetite. It'll be about 7 pm and I'll be feeling really light headed, then realize I haven't had anything but a pretzel or two all day. It's not just that I forget to eat, I truly do not want to eat. Literal loss of appetite. However, at night (usually around 11) when it wears off I rade the kitchen. Concerta has side effects, but over-all I am very pleased.	F	17	5 years		6/8/2009
2	ADD, depressed	shakey, were hot, not hungrey, stomach aches, a lil nausious	I do not like it it may be effecting my prozac medicine too. i do not like it at all. It makes me feel sick.	F	15	2 days		6/8/2009
4	ADD	Loss of appetite, feeling of being stoned, laughing for no reason.	I started taking this medication on a friday, I've been taking it a total of 3days and everyone I'm around that knows me, has noticed a major difference in my behavior aswell as my concentration level, I would not reccomend this for any small children or young teens. Seeing as it gives the appearance of the said person being "stoned"=simply an opinion	F	19	3 days		5/31/2009 Email
5	ADD/ADHD, Anxiety	Nothing too bad. I have a constant twitch in my right eye though. But it's entertaining. The Insomnia isn't too bad, except tonight, I'm up at 3 am. I lost a large amount of appitite at first but it's coming back now.	It works wonderfully. I've been on Dexadrine, Riddline, Strattera, and none have worked this well. High energy, but I can still focus even better.	M	17	1 weeks		5/26/2009
1	ADHD/ODD Diagnosis	uncontrollable tongue/jaw movements, stomach ache	My 6 year old son took his first 18 mg. pill on Saturday 05/23. Within a few hours he was doing this strange "twisting thing" with his tongue while sticking it out and his jaw movements were as bad as the tongue movements. It was non stop all day- he couldn't even finish a sentence without doing this. It continued into the evening-even though when I called the pediatrican they told me the medicine should be out of his system. He also complained of a stomach ache. I did not give him another pill on Sunday. I saw a little of the tongue/jaw movements but they all but stopped by the afternoon. He still complained of a stomach ache and didn't eat much but by Monday seemed to be back to his normal self. I wish I could find a more natural solution. I don't think I can give him anymore meds.	M	6	1 days		5/26/2009 Email
4	ADD/Depression	Noticed extreme effects the first few days that I started taking CONCERTA. Was able to focus and get things done. Noticed an increase in energy and enthusiasm for completing tasks. No noticeable negative side effects. The only problem is that the positive effects have started to decline after only 2 weeks. I am also taking 5mg of Lexapro for depression. I might need a higher doze of CONCERTA.		M	43	3 weeks		5/21/2009
5	ADD, Depression, Binge Eating	Started on 18 mg, now up to 54 mg. Hard to sleep at first, smoking more cigarettes, bit of a headache the first week or too.	VERY good - helps me focus, I can do ANYTHING to completion - I even finished a book I was writing for the first time EVER. I take it very early in the morning and now I can sleep, and I just have to work on the smoking thing by not buying them I guess. It has decreased my depression, and although I am still binge eating, I am doing it a lot less than I used to - I can think through the reasons behind it more clearly and occasionally talk myself out of the binge before I do it.	F	35	4 months		5/17/2009 Email
2	ADHD	My 5 year old son was switched from Ritalin LA to Concerta 3 weeks ago. He did fine on the Ritalin but it was an 8 hr. and did not get him through after school care and homework. We immediately noticed a difference on the Concerta. He became extremely emotional and combative, has difficulty going to sleep at night, and loss of appetite.		M	5	3 weeks		5/15/2009
3	ADD	Loss of appetite,abdominal pain, social withdraws,sweating	I am prescribed to 54MG i may be taking a higher dosage then i should i recommend eating before you take it because i get bad abdominal pains when i don't	F	16	4 months		5/13/2009
4	ADD	Dry mouth, dizziness	Affected me exactly the same as adderall except without the immediate high you get right after taking adderall. It didn't make me anxious and shaky like adderall does. I do have a dizziness feeling that I get whenver I take too much adderall though. Overall it worked really well, I was nervous after reading all of the negative comments on here! I probably will keep taking adderall instead of concerta just because it is a little bit more intense.	F	21	1 days		5/12/2009 Email
1	ADHD	Medicine taken by my 5 year old son. Did not notice any benefits, only negative side effects: Facial tics (mouth), stomach pain, dry mouth.	My 5 year old son was prescribed Concerta after being diagnosed with ADHD. The dosage was 18mg once a day. He took his first - AND LAST - pill on Saturday, 5/9/09. We noticed that he was asking for more to drink than usual, but we realize that dry mouth can be a side effect. However, as the day went on, we noticed him doing odd things with his mouth and he didn't seem to be aware he was doing it. At first I thought he was licking his lips but I noticed he was just moving his tongue back and forth and moving his mouth. He even did this while talking, which gave him the odd appearance of being in a badly-dubbed movie (mouth movements not matching the words coming out). When I asked him if his mouth was dry he said "no". He also complained of his stomach hurting him. On Sunday, 5/10/09, we did not give him the Concerta and he did not have the facial tics at all but he did say his stomach hurt at one point during the day. I called his psychiatrist this morning and he said to stop the Concerta because the facial tics can be come permanent! Scary, scary, scary!	M	5	1 days		5/11/2009
5	ADD	Some sleep difficulties. Itchy skin. Cephalgia.	Concerta totally changed my life! I have been diagnosed with ADD 6 months ago, and I was taking Ritalin. Ritalin was very intense on the first hour as it gets in the organism very very quickly. It gave me much more side effects. Now I have been very impressed how Concerta is released slowly, you just don't feel this peaking rush anymore. Now I can finally focus on things I really wanna focus on, instead of wandering my mind all the time, thinking about useless stuff. Concerta is very expensive (98$ per month for me), so it's esseential to have a good private insurance, but compared to Ritalin and RitalinSL, it's a WONDER! Much more "comfortable" to handle.	M	21	1 months		5/8/2009 Email
2	Bipolar I/ADHD	Would give me crazy energy, couldn't sleep some nights.	I am taking it for concentration issues and have yet to see any improvements. I do get a "drive" to do work however I can not concentrate anymore than I could before (barely any concentration) on it.	F	18	3 months		5/6/2009
3	ADD	Increased heart rate, diarrhea, abdominal pain, slight shortness of breath occasionally, dry mouth, urinary tract infection* *I experienced the urinary tract infection after about 2 consecutive days of taking Concerta, a month before I had taken it for one day and not had this problem	Overall I would say taking this medicine is not worth the side effects. While it helps me focus in school, the problems it causes are just too much. I had tried taking the same medicine about 5 years ago but it increased my heart rate, which scared me into not wanting to take it. Now 5 years later I am having the same problems and more; in fact this morning I had a burning sensation at the tip of my penis after urinating and the only thing I can think of is Concerta (I have not been sexually active recently) because it's really the only variable that has changed in my life recently.	M	16	2 days		5/5/2009 Email
5	ADHD	loss of appetite	My son has been taking concerta for about 2 months. We started him on 18mg and he is up to 27mg. I have seen huge improvements in his grades, his social life, he is like a completely different kid. The only negtive side affect has been a sharp drop in his appetite. His lunches come home untouched so I just have him eat before he takes the meds and later in the evening when it starts to wear off.	M	9	2 months		5/2/2009
5	ADD			F	23			4/29/2009
4	ADD	daughter doesn't like taste, dry mouth and abdominal pain for a few days but now no complaints about that	Definite improved focus at school, less chattering at school, able to get herself ready for school with minimal help (nagging) now, still with anger outbursts but shorter and less intense, and most importantly to my daughter there is no change in her creativity	F	8	10 days		4/28/2009
5	ADD	very few--actually, none that I can pinpoint	I am very glad for the Concerta the focus and ability to stay seated to finish my work is great. it also helps me be more present emotionally for myself as well as my patients. It is a big help	F	58	3 years		4/24/2009 Email
3	ADHD	Mood swings, anger, trouble going to sleep	After trying several medications for ADHD, this medication helps the most. My son is able to concentrate and is doing well in school (finally!) He becomes generally irritable at 5:00 and will have a major rage fit (throwing things,etc) about once a month. He also used to have trouble going to sleep, but he takes another medication for that and it has helped.	M	10	2 years		4/16/2009
2	adhd	mood swings irretable, depressed, loss of appteite, increased heart rate, suicidile, angry, made me very non social	i was on adderall since i was about 6 i think the when i turned 15 i was switched to concerta i became very anti social extream deppression bad mood swings and suicidile. it was awful i was failling in school because i was so deppressed i did not want to do anything and thought very low of my self i had no more drive in me to achieve. i told my parents what it was doing to me the mood swings and deppression and they did not listen. i became so deppressed i tryed to overdose. i do addmitt that this drug may work for some but for anyone who has a child taking this drug that if they start having these mood swings to contact your doctor and let him be aware. the mood swings and deppression can turn into to something worse. after my attempt i refused to take the drug any longer. since then i have learened to control my adhd and am happy and doing very well	F	20	14 years		4/16/2009 Email
5	ADHD	Excessive thirst, loss of appetite (not bad if you need to lose a few pounds), some compulsion to clean and finish tasks (is that bad?) and compulsion to smoke, which I do not do if I don't take my meds.	Eating prior to taking lessens the effects, a necessity for me. I am on 36mg. At first it was hard to sleep, but everything evened out after 2 weeks. My mood is definitely better, everything seems do-able! I think that lots of the side-effects of others I am reading are lessened by eating in the morning and waiting for your body to adjust to the medication, or lowering the dose. I have tried the other drugs for ADHD, this is my favorite.	M	40	6 years		4/15/2009 Email
2	ADD	Chest pain, loss of appetite, headaches, mood swings, trouble sleeping, low affect, tiredness when it's wearing off.	I have been taking concerta 54mg for almost 2 weeks now and I noticed it helped when I first started taking it but now it seems as if my attention is worse than it was before. Maybe it is just me? I am supposed to be studying right now but got curious and now I'm here... Does it get better once I get used to it? I heard it takes about 2-4 weeks to get it's full effect.	M	23	12 days		4/14/2009 Email
4	ADD	loss of appetite, weight loss, depression, crying spells, anxiety, overall gloom and doom feeling, fatigue	My fiance started taking Concerta a month ago. He says it helps him a lot. It really controls him fidgeting and his concentration is so much better. He does well in college, but his loss of appetite is hard to deal with. I also notice that he is crying a lot and depressed. However, he does take Lexapro for depression. This could be a factor as well.	M	20	30 days		4/8/2009
5	ADD	Difficulty sleeping at night, loss of appetite. (email me for my full story)	I'm 29 years old. When I was younger I struggled desperately to stay organized and focused but failed. My parents worked soooo hard to help me and my teacher's always said the same thing "He is so smart, if only he would focus" or "He does great on tests but constantly forgets his homework". I always felt so different. My backpack had cookie crumbs and crumbled paper. It was dirty and I always forgot books, and pens. Everyone seemed so organized.. so perfect. I wanted to be like them but no matter how hard I would try, I would end up failing. This brought on depression and sadness. Especially in High School when my social life became complex. At some point I decided to be the class clown. I suppose, if you can't beat your problem.. might as well use your wild and silly behavior to your advantage. I got detentions and my parents were happy just to see D's and C's on my report cards. Being so smart, but struggling so hard was very frustrating for teachers and my parents. Finally, after many failed attempts I sat down with a psychologist provided by the school. After quite a few sessions, she diagnosed me with ADD. My parents heard all of the bad things about Ritalin and the like. They took me to the University of Chicago Hosptial and had me professionally tested for ADD. After that, it was off to a psychiatrist. It was determined by both sources that I indeed had ADD. I took Ritalin. It made me focus. It slowed the world down for me a	M	29	2 months		4/7/2009 Email
3	ADD	Positive: Better focus and concentration in quieter environments. Negative: Increased hunger & minor weight gain, dehydration, excessive talking, less concentration and focus in noisy or active environments, sadness, easily irritated, increased heart rate & blood pressure, minor upper tummy and chest pain for a couple of hours after taking, shakiness, playing with fingernails and fingertips while talking to others.	Overall, I was not happy being Concerta. I felt it changed my personality in a negative way (argumentative, less patient, introverted, moody, grouchy) and produced negative habits which I have never experienced before (playing with fingertips, etc.) I was also concerned with the increased heart rate and blood pressure. For me, there were not enough positive side effects to keep taking this drug. I am now trying Vyvanse.	F	48	4 months		4/5/2009
4	ADHD	mild mood change; less and more depressed, makes me feel like i should always be doing something. dry mouth. Hyper sexual. Nausea; Dry heaving, headaches, breathing problems	I been on other Adhd Meds and so far this has been the best. I think i might need a higher dosage but lately i been feeling a little weird maybe its the drug. Well either way i prefer this over 3 other meds.	M	21	3 months		3/31/2009 Email
5	Adult ADD	Dry mouth, changes in appetite	I'm on 54 mg's of Concerta and my life has changed COMPLETELY. After being told for years I was lazy and unmotivated (because I tested well and could hyperfocus), along with diagnosed with depression, I finally decided to ask my doctor about ADD. Turns out I've been untreated for years... Well, not only can I get things done, my overall mood is SO much better. I find it works better when I take it around 10/11 am (however, I am cranky in the morning before taking it.) The side effects are more than bearable in comparison to the positive results I've had, especially my overall enthusiasm and improved mood. Frustrated I hadn't found out sooner!	F	22	2 months		3/29/2009
1	ADHD	loss of appetite, moodiness, stomach pain, headache, insomnia,	my son lost 3 pounds in a month, when the med wore off he was moody, said he felt "weird", trouble falling asleep, seemed a little withdrawn(he is VERY social). He told me he didn't like the way he feels. It helped him focus in school but after a month we were told to increase from 18mg to 27mg. I took him off Concerta and now I have my son back. He has even gained back all the weight he lost. We will work through his ADHD WITHOUT any medication.	M	10	4 weeks		3/29/2009
3	adult ADHD	lack of ability to sleep without taking sleep aids (unisom 1 tablet, 3 or 4 capsules of valerian, one 5 mg tablet of melatonin, 3 or 4 capsules of 250 mg 5htp, one tryptophan) although I am able to sleep with all of this, it gets expensive and doesnt work 100% of the time. Thirst, which I can live with, sexual dysfunction, which I cant live with, adrenaline rush feeling in my hands like a throbbing feeling that aches.	I plan to taper down my dosage amount and hope that the psychiatrist understands and doesnt object, I take 36 mg one time per day in AM. while the drug has changed my life for the better and I would not change taking the drug if I could go back, I think that my body is tired of it (the sexual dysfunction side effect is only since a few months ago as well as the throbbing in my hands) I also feel that the sleep interruption is weakening my immunity and I want to get better, sound, uninterrupted sleep. I am hoping that cutting my dose in half will take away the side effects that I am experiencing, even if it doesn't I plan to stop taking concerta eventually and hope that my life will stay on track.	F	35	5 years		3/27/2009
2	ADD/ADHD	Spacey, calm then anxious, anxious then calm, HEADACHE-mania 6 hours in, irritable at the end of day	I started at 18mg and the first day seemed to work but it didn't motivate me like adderall. I would get a killer headache around 3PM (took dose around 9AM) and I would take tylenol which made it go away for the most part. I was easily irritable at the end of day when I got home from work. While on it, I would space out and not do my work. And the next day, I would have a harder time getting out of bed. I did not have sleep or non-eating problems like I did on adderall. Sometimes, I felt more hungry than usual on Concerta. But when I went up to 36 mg, i would wait longer to eat lunch. Adderall worked best for me but I grew an addiction so I don't want to take it. I'm going to try Vyvanse next...	F	25	30 days		3/26/2009
4	school concentration	lack of appetite, increased mood (while in effect), sadness and crying(at the end of the day), rage (to emotional issues or life issues), high energy and focus.	I took concerta 54 to finish up my last of my college degree- now I'm afraid to get off of it. I lost 25 lbs, feel good about myself.. I'm just worried about the depression when I come off of it. I feel regulated on drugs, like I need another pill to put me to sleep. I drink more.	F	23	2 months		3/25/2009
3	ADD	I did better in school and concentrated more.	I had sever weight lose. Loss in appreciate and in my social life, i get angry very easy.. mainly in the later day.. like 5 o'clock and have a hard time sleeping. And nose bleeds all the time recently. its horrible.	M	16	1 years		3/25/2009 Email
1	ADHD	MY 40 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER WAS ON CONCERTA FOR 75 DAYS, THEN COMMITTED SUICIDE. NO WARNINGS OF ANY KIND TO FAMILY OR FRIENDS. SHE DIED 2/26/09.		F	40	75 days		3/24/2009
3	ADHD	loss of appetite, sleeplessness, hard to wake up, anti-social, moody/argumentative, headaches, depression and crying	My son is 16, last night he asked me to come to his room and talk to him, he was crying...not common for him but it has happened twice before. He told me he is depressed and really needs me to make an appointment with his doctor. This is the second time he has done this. The first time he broke up with his girlfriend so I thought it was teenage drama. It is not drama, there is something going on. He has been on Concerta 54 for about a year and a half and we've had some different side effects from time to time but it is just now dawning on me that the Concerta is probably the problem. All of the side effects he has had have happened on different occasions but the Concerta is what keeps him awake at night he is so tired but can't sleep. He also has no appetite. Concerta does work, he functions in school but is it worth the cost of side effects? I think we'll have to do something different. This is more than just a teenage depression or some kind of drama. Something is going on here and i	M	16	2 years		3/12/2009
1	ADHD	depression, lack of appetite, tons of energy	very excited about taking, felt clearer than ever. stopped taking for a few days then committed suicide.	F	40	50 days		3/11/2009 Email
3	why not	headache	hope it works	F	34	8 days		3/10/2009 Email
4	ADHD	I am now taking 27mgs of concerta and although it is helping me focus more in school and improve my thinking, as a side effect i have been very aggressive towards my parents and sister, and i have been taking 27 mgs of concerta for about a week and i feel mad and irratated when the medicine run out.	Concerta helped me out with my life but the side effects are different for everyone and for me its aggresivness and headachs	M	18	1 years		3/9/2009 Email
4	ADHD	My son has been on Concerta for about 3 years. He is now up to 72mg every morning and I have started to notice that he twists his tounge and makes goofy movements with his mouth. His mouth is always very dry and it is noticable when he talks. Toward the evening when it is wearing off he becomes a very irritable, angry, and just plain mean child. If I don't give him his other medicine he will not go to sleep at night and he makes sure I don't go to sleep as well. On the other hand if he doesn't have it he is so wound up and hard to be around without getting angry because of all the things he is doing and saying.		M	10	3 years		3/6/2009 Email
5	ADD	dry mouth, loss of apetite, mild anxiousness	For the most part Concerta has helped me tremendously. I kind of feel it slowly kick in and I have energy and focus to work. I feel a bit like a "work horse". I feel a noticeable difference when I do not take the medication for a day or two. My family also notices because my productivity goes down the toilet.	F	37	6 months		3/5/2009
4	ADD	Sweaty finger tips, cold, headaches at first, decreased appetite, slight hand tremor, anxiety	Concerta is very helpful to keep me focused and productive throughout the day. It causes moments of gripping anxiety, but my resting anxiety rate is much lower since I'm more productive. I can usually rationalize the anxiety attacks quickly as a side effect of the med. After the first two weeks, the headaches went away. The strangest changes have been sweaty finger tips (not palms, just fingertips) and being cold all the time, but putting on more clothes just makes the sweating worse. Overall, enough benefit to outweigh the side effects.	M	26	2.5 months		3/5/2009
3	ADD	Loss of appetite, headaches at the beginning of first taking concerta, Nausea, mood swings / having werid thoughts, lack of sleep, anxiety	Im on 27mg and it has made a difference in my work and school settings, I sometimes feel like I have bad anxiety from the drug and sometimes I wish I wasnt lacking on sleep but most of all it does work you just have to adjust to all the side effects.	F	21	3 months		3/1/2009
2	ADHD	My son was taking this medicine at 27 mg working fine, due to getting older it no longer worked on focusing and behavior. Moved him up to 36mg, he began vocal ticks (humming noise) and some facial ticks with his mouth (smiling).	Am worried that if I continued him on this it will have long term affects, supposidely the vocal ticks will go away after use of the drug.	M	9	3 months		2/22/2009
5	Adult AD/HD	(Initially and following any changes in medication) Mild headache and nausea, decreased appetite I began getting severe headaches when my medication was changed (I have a history of migraines), but I have had it changed back and am no longer experiencing any negative side-effects.	I take 36mg twice a day and my ability to control my thoughts has improved dramatically. I thought it would change who I was initially, but with the correct dosage it only gives me the ability to do the things I want to. I have no problems with sleeping (I used to drink coffee and coke to relax myself).	F	19	3 months		2/18/2009
5	ADHD	negatives that went away after a few weeks of continued use - dry mouth similar to smoking weed, increased heart rate, ive allways had shaky hands but it increses and effects the whole body(really bad when your tolerance is low....permanent- insomnia if not taken early enough, sometimes maybe once or twice a week it puts me in a great mood and makes me very talkative and social, sometimes its a positive but other times i just ramble on and on about things that are only interesting to me until someone tells me to shut up, increases urges for cigarettes.. i have a very strange diet off the drug(sometimes i eat once a day and others i can eat nonstop) but on it, it makes me hungry but once i eat im usually good for the rest of the day	i started on 36mg and it worked for a while until my tolerance grew and it wore off quicker and quicker then raised to 54mg.in school i focused more and it was easier to keep my mind on the task at hand but when it wore off a million and one thoughts ran through my head at once and it became incredibly difficult to concentrate on one thing.at home sitting around doing nothing is not an option but once i find something i can do it for hours without gettin bored... i stopped taking it everyday and now i only take it when i find school becoming more difficult or i need to get something done. i can take 2 54s and clean my whole house in about an hour or 2 and it be spotless. a task that normally i half ass and takes me all day. it makes me want to do things i dont like or find boring just so i have something to do which is positive due to my lazy dont feel like it(unless it is something im interested in) attitude. i think this is the most effective medicine ive had and once my body got use	M	17	3 years		2/16/2009 Email
1	ADHD	irritation, anxiety, strange thoughts, bad mood	Even with the small initial dosage (10 mg) the side effect were awful. It really made my son be concentrated but not on tasks or homework either on his problems, increased warnings, irritation and anxiety. Should be very careful taking this drug.	M	11	7 days		2/13/2009 Email
4	ADD	i have fatigue, loss of weight, sadness, hostility, emotional, abdominal pain	i think thta it helps me but people with eating disorders should stay away. im kinda addicted to the weight loss from it	F	15			2/10/2009
3		adhd 18mg	I definitely feel confused and have a distorted view of reality. Some depression, headache and insomnia. It is only day 2 though.	M	19	2 days		2/4/2009

1  2 3 4 5 
Average rating for drug: 3.3. This page is printer-friendly; use landscape print with background color turned on.

Key to ratings: 5-Very Satisfied: this medicine cured me or helped me a great deal. 4-Satisfied: this medicine helped. 3-Somewhat Satisfied: this medicine helped somewhat. 2-Not Satisfied: this medicine did not work to my satisfaction. 1-Dissatisfied: I would not recommend taking this medicine.

Askapatient Drug Database Enter Drug Name:

.