How to treat Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Concerta, a brand name for the drug Methylphenidate, is an amphetamine-like prescription stimulant commonly used to treat Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, ADHD in children and adults.

Other brand names include Ritalin, Ritalina, Metadate, Methylin and Rubifen. Concerta is also one of the primary drugs used to treat symptoms of traumatic brain injury and the daytime drowsiness symptoms of narcolepsy and chronic fatigue syndrome.

This drug and was initially prescribed as a treatment for depression, chronic fatigue, and narcolepsy, among other ailments. Beginning in the 1960s, it was used to treat children with ADHD, known at the time as hyperactivity or minimal brain dysfunction.

Today Concerta is a popular medication prescribed to treat ADHD around the world. According to most estimates, more than 75 percent of prescriptions containing Methylphenidate are written for children. Boys being about four times as likely to take Concerta as girls.

Concerta is a central nervous system stimulant. It has a "calming" effect on many children who have ADHD, reducing impulsive behavior and the tendency to "act out", and helps them concentrate on schoolwork and other tasks. Adults who have ADHD often find that Concerta increases their ability to focus on tasks and organize their lives.

Concerta has been found to have a lower incidence of side-effects compared to dextroamphetamine, a less commonly prescribed medication. When prescribed at the correct dosage, Concerta is usually well-tolerated by patients.

Some consider the treatment of children with stimulant medication to be controversial since the number of children taking them has increased dramatically over the years. However, criticism that Concerta and other brand name drugs that contain methylphenidate are over prescribed may be unfounded. The incidence of ADHD is believed to be between three and five percent of the population, while the number of children in America taking Concerta and Ritalin is estimated at one to two percent.

Some have argued that prescription of stimulant medications sets children up for future addictions. However, recent research suggests that boys with ADHD who are treated with stimulants like Concerta are actually less likely to abuse drugs including alcohol later in life.

As long-term use of Concerta and other drugs that contain methylphenidate was relatively uncommon before the 1990s. The long-term neurological effects were not well researched. In a 2005 study, no "clinically significant" effects on growth, vital signs, tics, or laboratory tests including urinalysis, hematology/complete blood counts, electrolytes, and liver function tests were observed after 2 years of treatment.

Disclaimer: The information presented here should not be interpreted as medical advice. Please seek professional medical advice regarding the use of Concerta or any other medication containing Methylphenidate.