CONCERTA Reviews (METHYLPHENIDATE HYDROCHLORIDE)Average Rating: 3.3 (772 Ratings)Filter ResultsCompare CONCERTA with similar:
Type: Rx Drug
|
Results are sorted by Age from youngest to oldest (reviews with no age reported listed first). Key to Ratings: 1=LOW (I would not recommend taking this medicine.) Page: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 |
More on CONCERTA: Reviews Summary | Drug Safety Information
| RATING | REASON | SIDE EFFECTS FOR CONCERTA | COMMENTS | SEX | AGE | DURATION/ DOSAGE | DATE ADDED |
| 3 | ADHD | about the same as others I have tried...shaky hands, insomnia, sometimes makes me almost zombie like and unable to focus on anything other then staring off into space. The worst thing is the DRY MOUTH! I can't stand it and nothing I do helps with this. | I am taking 72 mg a day (2 36mg pills in the morning). This is kind of a last ditch effort for me because nothing seems to help too much. This is my second time trying it the first time I quit after a month because of the dry mouth, this time I am trying to give it more time to see if there is a difference. On the plus side it does seem to control m some. Usually I don't think at all before I speak, now I do sometimes. | F | 26 | | 5/1/2007 | 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 | 2 | ADD | Itchy eyes, sore throat, dry mouth, loss of appetite. | Since I started Concerta I have flu-like symptoms my eyes are itching, and have a sore throat but I don't know why is this happening, I paused the medication for one day and all these symptoms were resolved suddenly, but next day those symptoms came back within one hour after I took my daily dose again. I don't know if this is something serious or will be resolved over the time but, it just doesn't feel ok. If anyone has any idea what can this symptom be, please contact me. Thanks. | F | 26 | 3 days 27 1X day | 8/12/2020 | 2 | Adult ADD | The only thing I've really noticed is the dry mouth. Last night I realized I got in a really bad mood all of the sudden. Like the medicine shut off. | I am taking 18mg per day. I was just given the prescription. I don't feel what I hoped to feel as far as concentration. Will it get better with time or do I need to up the dosage? | F | 26 | 2 days | 2/14/2007 | 1 | ADHD | Depression, uncontrollable crying, excessive worrying & increased anxiety | This was the first switch I had made from Ritalin. Only took 18mg once per day and had awful side effects. Was tired and sad in the evenings with no motivation. Did not take it for ONE day over the weekend and was crying uncontrollably for no reason at all, felt completely hopeless, very stressed out. | F | 26 | 1 months | 5/14/2007 | 1 | ADHD | Paresthisia, Weakness in arms, such horrible anxiety that I slept all day because it wore me out. | Stay away from Concerta, especially if you have difficulty with anxiety beforehand. Nowhere near as powerful as Strattera was for me. I will comment on Strattera as well. | M | 26 | 12 days 36mg 1X day | 8/25/2011 | 5 | ADHD | Loss of apetite - I'm obese and this is a great thing - I can eat normally again. No more binges. | Started taking it when I was 15, stopped when I met my future ex-husband who said I was more fun when I didn't take the medicine. He convinced me to stop taking it, but it wasn't doing any harm. Then my life went down the toilet, which had a lot of factors, but I believe I wouldn't have made such bad decisions had I been on it. Now I'm 27, getting my life back together and I am not exaggerating when I say that I believe Concerta can save my life. | F | 27 | 14 days 36 1X day | 2/17/2010 | 5 | Adult ADD | Increasing tolerance over time and mood swings upon quitting "cold-turkey." Reduced desire for sugar/carbs resulting in minor weight loss. Much deeper and more refreshing sleep at night. No more nodding off during the day. Insomnia only at higher doses (not surprising, as I'm only 115 pounds). | When I was *finally* diagnosed with ADHD at age 20, the first time I took it I had a sense of clarity that I describe as "putting on glasses." Instead of walking around in a fog and being constantly distracted, I could focus with a clarity I never experienced before. I finally realized what it meant to feel normal. I've been off and on Concerta over the years and nothing compares. It's the reason I made it through college and now am on my way to graduate school. It doesn't cure bad habits, however, so you must learn to modify your behavior such that you can harness your newly aquired ability to focus. Absolutely no violent or suicidal thoughts, but these have never been an issue for me with or without meds. | F | 27 | 3 years 27mg 1X day | 4/12/2010 | 5 | ADHD | Weight loss (20lbs):), a little restlessness, some chest pounding | This drug is great. It worked great the benefits outweight the side effects. I am very happy with it. Concentration and organization increased dramatically. | M | 27 | 3 months | 6/20/2007 | 4 | ADD | Loss of appetite and when I dont eat I feel very weak and unmotivated - once I eat something I feel good again. Headaches occur if I take a day off. Sometimes depression comes on if I'm around someone that is in that type of mind frame - but its usually minimal and goes away. | I wish I had been prescribed this medicine alot sooner. I've been very successful in life despite the many roadblocks that were placed in front of me, but had I had such focus before, I would have gone soooo much further. I can truly say that it has changed my life. My mood is much better, I have a drive to succeed and an unstopable determination, I'm organized, which if you knew me before would make your jaw drop, lol. My claim to fame (excuse really) for everyone in my life was that I had a static mind, that I looked all over a problem to find the solution - now I do that and also work it out step by step, methodically. | M | 27 | 60 days | 10/17/2007 | 4 | Attention Deficit Disorder | Increased ability to focus, can concentrate easily, although sometimes I get a feeling of being "hyper focused" (almost obsessive about certain things) Dry mouth, loss of appetite, but overall a good drug. | I was on Ritalin from age 12 thru age 19....ended up abusing it because the come down was so bad. I switched to Concerta after experiencing TOO many problems with short-term medications. Concerta saved my life! Even though my appetite is still supressed, I've simply learned to eat at certain times of the day that work for me (when my appetite is up a little). I'd recommend Concerta to ANYONE who needs help focusing or even getting up in the morning and getting motivated! | F | 27 | 7 years 54 mg 1X day | 8/31/2010 | 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 | 3 | ADD and have depression | im not too sure of this medicine, the first day i thought it helped..i actually slept fine and had a great appetite..i thought that was strange cuz i heard you dont eat and sleep..im not sure why my body has reacted this way.2nd day was the same and the third..now i feel up and down and cant even concentrate..i cant read things..this is why i went on the meds....someone please help me figure this out | i dont understand this meds..they said if u are on your period it wont work?? Someone please help me, im a single mom have 2 daughters with health problmes..i really neeed to get my life together for my girls | M | 27 | 6 days 36 1X day | 7/17/2010 | 1 | adhd | weirdest side effect was complete numbing and coldness of te left hand then finger swelling ironically the middle finger! Itchy skin little tiny purple dots like the size of needle point. Also really bad headaches tension in my jaw and cheeks. | I just was diagnosed with adhd two day ago. I could never figure out why my thoughts were so scattered and never could fully concentrate. I get bored and distracted so easily with things and one day my friend gave me adderall which seemed to fix everything! So when I went to the Dr that's what I wanted to take but he gave me this crap a#* drug that has more side effects than benefits. Anyway just my experience, I'm going back Monday and if he doesn"t switch meds I'm going to a new Dr. | F | 27 | 2 days 18mg 1X day | 11/13/2010 | 5 | ADD, inattentive type | It kills my appetite -- which has actually been great, because I have a LOT of weight I need to lose. The only problem there is that I'm hypoglycaemic, and not wanting to eat at all has done some nasty things to my blood sugar. The major problem I've had side-effect-wise has been psychosis. I have a psychotic disorder to begin with, but was undiagnosed when I started on this, and Concerta made it worse. Before going on meds for that disorder, I would have hallucinations and HORRIBLE mood swings and paranoia everynight when it wore off. | Jeez, I wish this were a generic, already! It's REALLY expensive when you don't have a prescription plan to help pick up the costs. That's led me to skip it when I know I won't NEED it. But when I take it, it's the greatest stuff! I've been a total space case my whole life but was diagnosed only two years ago, so I went through that whole "you're stupid" thing. A LOT. This helps me prove just how NOT stupid I am -- I can keep my head in a conversation, I can make a to-do list and follow through on it, and I can even find my wallet and keys! (Long been a big problem.) It hasn't changed who I am, like I thought it would -- it's just made it like my mind is finally still and quiet enough to let me control my thoughts, rather than having them all bounce around aimlessly. I understand why a lot of people have reservations about stimulants, but in all honesty, this has made me a much better version of myself, and I wouldn't want to have to do without it. | F | 28 | 2 years | 4/5/2007 | 5 | ADHD | First month: dry mouth, slight increase in heart rate, extreme tiredness when dose wore off (which i actually enjoyed as it helped me fall asleep quickly). Since then: no side effects whatsoever. Helped so much with ADHD; since I started it I was able to complete my university degree, got promoted at work, bought a house etc. i am more self confident now because i know that if i really want to accomplish something, I can. I am better with organization, planning ahead, concentrating on stuff, completing tasks and I'm less hyperactive and impulsive. Of course I will always have ADHD symptoms, it's not perfect, but With Concerta I can work around them using strategies I learned from the psychologist. My family can tell if I missed a dose. | F | 28 | 2 years 54mg | 10/6/2014 | 4 | ADD | Tachycardia, hyperhidrosis, increased blood pressure, weight loss, decreased appetite, tingling in feet and hands*, colder than normal hands*, intermittent anxiety, blurry vision, heart palpitations, occasional chest pain, increased instances of idiopathic hematomas, ringing in ears, headaches (pressure, diffuse) | I was on concerta when I was a teen for a few months and again in college for a few months. At that point in time I did not see any improvement in my ADD symptoms, however, I was smoking pot and taking Prozac so that's hard to say if it was truly working or not. I recently started taking concerta again (03/2016). I have noticed a huge improvement in my ability to focus, complete difficult and undesirable tasks, and memory. I can feel when the medication starts wearing off in that it is harder to keep focus and my memory capacity tanks. When I first started taking Concerta again, I was more tired in the mornings. That balanced out but now I'm having some concerning side effects. I have family hx of early MI and heart disease on both maternal and paternal sides. I also have anxiety and this ringing in the ears at night, fussy vision, pressure headache, and angina aren't helping my stress levels. I will be seeing my dr tomorrow, keep y'all posted. | F | 28 | 5 months 54 | 9/18/2016 | 4 | ADHD | If Concerta has intolerable side effects, do not switch over to an amphetamine containing drug (Adderall, Vyvanse, Dexedrine). Amphetamine is a potent neurotoxin that destroys your brains dopamine neurons. Type in "amphetamine and parkinsons disease risk", "amphetamine neurotoxicity in ADHD" and "dopaminergic dysfunction in dextroamphetamine users" for more information. An amphetamine containing drug will not turn you into a mentally retarded person, but it will destroy your brains dopamine neurons (in the range of 40-70%) and therefore when you stop taking it, even after as little as a month, you will have a permanently reduced capacity to experience pleasure. | Concerta has a lot of side effets due to its ridiculous absorption and release system and due to the fact that it contains the left isomer of methylphenidate (L-Methtlphenidate) which is not only useless but actual blocks the benificial effects of D-Methylphenidate. Focalin XR is far more effective and lacks the side effects of Concerta, so I recommend you ask your doctor if you can try it. Neither Concerta, Ritalin or Focalin are neurotoxic (brain damaging) But remember, stay away from amphetamine containing ADHD meds, they will mess you up permanently in the long run! Thats why they aren't available in Europe for ADHD. | M | 28 | 2 months 50 MG | 9/13/2015 | 4 | ADD | Anxiety, nausea, loss in appetite, shakes, coughing more than usual | I was diagnosed with ADD around a year ago and was prescribed Concerta. I like the medication. I can sit down and read, balance a checkbook, watch a movie and etc without having the racing thoughts I used to. The only thing is I really hate the first hour after taking the medication. My stomach get's upset ecspecially if I have had coffee, I get a slight headache and some shakes. Once that is over I feel fine. I have noticed that is has caused me some depression though. I don't want to go off of the medication because it has worked for my ADD but I could live without the depression side effect | F | 28 | 1 years | 11/12/2007 | 4 | ADD | headaches, insomnia some nights, dry mouth, loss of appetite, upset stomach, dizziness at times (all of these symptoms are not severe) | Concerta has helped me concentrate at work, however I sometimes get a little OCD about unimportant tasks. Also, it helps me to put "blinders" on, I get much less distracted. I think that my personality is much more laid back now, which is ok, I miss my spunky side, people have noticed that. Also, I am concerned I will lose too much weight. I am an athlete and I need to retain my stamina, which has not yet been comprimised. Some nights of sleep are amazing, although the first few were rough. I think the key is to stay on it and not take days off (which I did over the weekend). | F | 28 | 6 days | 5/21/2008 |