Concerta (Methylphenidate hydrochloride) for Narcolepsy

Overview
Concerta is a prescription drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children over 6 years and adults under 65 years. Concerta is sometimes prescribed off-label to treat narcolepsy. Concerta is also known by its drug name, methylphenidate hydrochloride.

Concerta is a stimulant of the phenethylamine and piperidine classes. Concerta is believed to work in cases of narcolepsy by increasing levels of dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain to promote wakefulness.

How do I take it?
Prescribing information states that Concerta is taken orally once daily.

Concerta comes in extended-release tablet form.

Side effects
The FDA-approved label for Concerta lists common side effects including abdominal pain, decreased appetite, headache, dry mouth, nausea, insomnia, anxiety, dizziness, weight loss, irritability, and excessive sweating.

Rare but serious side effects listed for Concerta include serious heart problems including stroke, increased blood pressure, psychotic or manic behavior, seizures, aggression, blurry vision, decreased growth in children and adolescents, and decreased blood counts.

For more details about this treatment, visit:

Concerta — Janssen
https://www.concerta.net

Concerta — RxList
https://www.rxlist.com/concerta-drug.htm