Introduction Concerta (methylphenidate) is a brand-name prescription drug used to deal with consideration deficit hyperactivity dysfunction (ADHD). As with different medicines, Concerta can work together with sure different medicine. It may additionally work together with some dietary supplements, meals, and drinks. An interplay happens when one substance causes one other substance to have a special impact than anticipated. For particulars about Concerta’s interactions, maintain studying. For added details about Concerta, see this text.
When to keep away from Concerta In some instances, an element or situation may forestall your physician from prescribing Concerta as a result of threat of hurt. This is named a contraindication. The contraindications of Concerta embrace: Having agitation or anxiousness Earlier than beginning remedy with Concerta, inform your physician when you have agitation or anxiousness. The drug could worsen these circumstances. For that reason, docs usually is not going to prescribe Concerta for folks with extreme agitation or anxiousness. You probably have both of those circumstances, your physician can advocate a remedy choice aside from Concerta. Having glaucoma Earlier than taking Concerta, inform your physician when you have glaucoma. This situation is attributable to a buildup of stress within the eye, which can result in imaginative and prescient loss. Concerta can increase your blood stress, which may additional enhance the stress in your eye. And this might worsen your glaucoma. Because of this threat, docs usually is not going to prescribe Concerta for folks with glaucoma. You probably have this situation, your physician can advocate a special remedy for you. Having Tourette’s syndrome or tics You probably have Tourette’s syndrome or tics, Concerta may worsen your signs. (Tourette’s syndrome is a situation that causes tics. These are undesirable, repetitive, or uncontrollable actions that may occur in any a part of the physique.) Your physician will probably not prescribe Concerta in case you or a member of the family has Tourette’s syndrome or tics. You probably have one in every of these circumstances, your physician can advocate a remedy aside from Concerta. Taking a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) Earlier than beginning remedy with Concerta, inform your physician in case you take a sort of antidepressant known as a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI). Additionally inform them in case you’ve just lately stopped taking an MAOI throughout the previous 14 days. Taking Concerta with an MAOI may cause a hypertensive disaster. (This situation is attributable to a fast and extreme enhance in blood stress.) A hypertensive disaster could result in harmful results comparable to stroke, coronary heart assault, or kidney failure. Beneath are examples of MAOIs that may work together with Concerta: linezolid (Zyvox)
methylene blue (ProvayBlue)
selegiline (Emsam)
isocarboxazid (Marplan)
phenelzine (Nardil) Because of this interplay, docs usually is not going to prescribe Concerta with present or current use of an MAOI. If you happen to’re taking an MAOI, your physician will probably have you ever wait no less than 14 days after stopping remedy with the drug. After this time, they might advocate that you just begin taking Concerta. Having had an allergic response to Concerta or any of its elements If you happen to’ve had an allergic response to Concerta or any of its elements, your physician will probably not prescribe Concerta. Taking the drug may trigger one other allergic response. You’ll be able to ask them about different remedies that could be higher selections for you. Notice: Earlier than you begin remedy with Concerta, it’s essential to inform your physician if any of those contraindications apply to you. They’ll decide whether or not to prescribe Concerta.
Concerta and alcohol Concerta and alcohol aren’t identified to work together. Nevertheless, it could be most secure to keep away from consuming alcohol whereas taking Concerta. It is because Concerta and alcohol could masks one another’s results. This may occur due to how every works within the physique. Concerta stimulates your central nervous system (CNS), whereas alcohol depresses it (slows it down). The CNS helps management actions comparable to respiration, pondering, and extra. So, ingesting alcohol whereas taking Concerta may make it arduous to inform whether or not the drug is working in your situation. And taking Concerta may make it tough to know the quantity of alcohol you’ve consumed. Remember that docs usually is not going to prescribe Concerta for individuals who have alcohol use dysfunction. This situation could enhance the danger of dependence on Concerta. In reality, Concerta has a boxed warning about this threat. For particulars, see “Boxed warning: Drug dependence” firstly of this text. You probably have questions on Concerta and alcohol, speak together with your physician.
Concerta interactions with different medicines Earlier than you begin remedy with Concerta, inform your physician and pharmacist which prescription, over-the-counter, and different medicines you are taking. By sharing this data with them, you could assist forestall potential interactions. You probably have questions on drug interactions which will have an effect on you, together with what to not take with Concerta, ask your physician or pharmacist. Right here’s a chart of medicine that caninteract with Concerta. Remember that this chart doesn’t embrace all medicine which will work together with Concerta. A few of these interactions are described intimately just under in “Drug interactions in depth.” Drug class or drug identify Drug examples Interplay end result with Concerta monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)* • linezolid (Zyvox)
• methylene blue (ProvayBlue)
• selegiline (Emsam)
• isocarboxazid (Marplan)
• phenelzine (Nardil) can enhance the danger of negative effects of Concerta† and MAOIs vasopressors • phenylephrine (Sudafed PE)
• pseudoephedrine (Sudafed)
• midodrine (Orvaten) can enhance the impact of vasopressors seizure medicine • phenytoin (Dilantin)
• carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Epitol, Tegretol, others)
• phenobarbital
• primidone (Mysoline) could make seizure medicine much less efficient than standard or enhance the danger of negative effects from seizure medicine tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) • amitriptyline
• imipramine (Tofranil)
• nortriptyline (Pamelor) can enhance the danger of negative effects of TCAs selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) • sertraline (Zoloft)
• fluoxetine (Prozac)
• citalopram (Celexa)
• escitalopram (Lexapro) can enhance the danger of negative effects of SSRIs risperidone (Risperdal) — can enhance the danger of negative effects of risperidone warfarin (Jantoven) — can enhance the impact of warfarin * For particulars about this interplay, see “When to keep away from Concerta” above.
† To find out about negative effects of Concerta, see this text.
Drug interactions in depth Right here’s a better take a look at sure drug interactions of Concerta. Vasopressors Vasopressors are medicines used to slender blood vessels. Sure vasopressors are used to extend blood stress in emergency conditions, comparable to for severely low blood stress. Different vasopressors are used to alleviate chilly and allergy signs, comparable to nasal congestion and sinus stress. Interplay end result. Taking Concerta with a vasopressor can enhance the impact of the vasopressor. Which means taking Concerta with this sort of drug may result in very hypertension. And this might end in harmful results comparable to stroke, coronary heart assault, or kidney failure. Interplay defined. Each Concerta and vasopressors have a threat of hypertension when taken individually. Due to this fact, taking Concerta together with a vasopressor could additional enhance the danger of hypertension. Examples of vasopressor medicine. Beneath are some vasopressors which will work together with Concerta: phenylephrine (Sudafed PE)
pseudoephedrine (Sudafed)
midodrine (Orvaten) Steps you or your physician could take. Because of this threat, docs will watch your blood stress carefully in case you take Concerta with a vasopressor. If you happen to develop hypertension, your physician can advise you on the proper remedy. If you happen to’re enthusiastic about treating a chilly or allergy symptoms whereas taking Concerta, speak together with your physician or pharmacist. They’ll inform you which allergy medicine include a vasopressor and whether or not it’s secure to take allergy treatment with Concerta. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are a sort of antidepressant. Interplay end result. Taking Concerta with an SSRI can enhance the danger of negative effects from the SSRI. This consists of serotonin syndrome, which is attributable to a excessive stage of the chemical serotonin within the physique. Interplay defined. Taking Concerta with an SSRI could trigger your physique to interrupt down the SSRI extra slowly than standard. Which means taking Concerta with an SSRI may increase the extent of the SSRI in your system. The upper stage may enhance your threat of negative effects from the SSRI. Examples of SSRI medicine. Beneath are examples of SSRIs which will work together with Concerta: sertraline (Zoloft)
fluoxetine (Prozac)
citalopram (Celexa)
escitalopram (Lexapro) Steps you or your physician could take. Earlier than beginning Concerta remedy, inform your physician in case you’re taking an SSRI. They’ll advocate whether or not it’s secure to take these medicines collectively. In case your physician says it’s secure, they might offer you a decrease dosage of the SSRI than what’s normally prescribed. Taking a decrease dosage will help scale back the extent of the SSRI in your physique, which may lower your threat of negative effects. In case your physician prescribes Concerta whilst you’re taking an SSRI, look ahead to signs of serotonin syndrome. Examples embrace nausea and vomiting, hallucinations, and modifications in blood stress. If you happen to develop these signs, speak together with your physician instantly. They’ll instruct you on methods to deal with this situation. Nevertheless, it’s best to name 911 or your native emergency quantity instantly in case your signs appear extreme or life threatening. Warfarin Warfarin (Jantoven) is a blood thinner. The drug is used to assist forestall or deal with blood clots in sure conditions. Interplay end result. Taking Concerta with warfarin can enhance the danger of negative effects of warfarin. Interplay defined. Taking Concerta with warfarin could trigger your physique to interrupt down warfarin extra slowly thanusual. Because of this, Concerta could increase the extent of warfarin in your physique. Having the next stage of warfarin may enhance your threat of negative effects of warfarin, together with severe bleeding. Steps you or your physician could take. Earlier than taking Concerta, inform your physician in case you’re already taking warfarin. They’ll advocate whether or not it’s secure to take these medicines collectively. In case your physician says it’s secure, they might offer you a decrease dosage of warfarin than standard. Taking a decrease dosage will help scale back the extent of warfarin in your physique. And having a decrease stage of the drug may lower your threat of negative effects. In case your physician prescribes Concerta with warfarin, they might order sure blood assessments extra usually than standard. (These assessments are used to verify the thickness of your blood, which will help docs decide your threat of bleeding.) You should definitely inform your physician when you have signs of extreme bleeding whereas taking Concerta and warfarin collectively. Signs can embrace bloody stool, bloody urine, and coughing up blood. You probably have these signs, inform your physician instantly. They’ll advise you on methods to handle this facet impact.
Concerta and different interactions Concerta could produce other interactions, comparable to with dietary supplements, meals, vaccines, and even lab assessments. You’ll discover particulars under. Remember that the next data doesn’t embrace all different potential interactions with Concerta. Concerta interactions with dietary supplements Earlier than you begin remedy with Concerta, inform your physician and pharmacist which dietary supplements, herbs, and nutritional vitamins you are taking. By sharing this data with them, you could assist forestall potential interactions. Concerta could work together with caffeine dietary supplements, rising the danger of sure negative effects with Concerta. Examples of those results embrace insomnia, anxiousness, and irritability. (To be taught extra about negative effects of Concerta, see this text.) Earlier than you begin taking Concerta, inform your physician in case you take caffeine dietary supplements. They can counsel a special remedy. You probably have questions on drug interactions which will have an effect on you, ask your physician or pharmacist. Concerta interactions with herbs Concerta could work together with the natural complement St. John’s wort. Taking Concerta with St. John’s wort can enhance the danger of serotonin syndrome. This situation is because of a excessive stage of the chemical serotonin within the physique. Serotonin syndrome may cause signs comparable to nausea and vomiting, hallucinations, and modifications in blood stress. Earlier than you begin Concerta remedy, inform your physician in case you take St. John’s wort. They can assist establish an alternate for you that doesn’t have this threat. Concerta and nutritional vitamins There have been no particular experiences of nutritional vitamins interacting with Concerta. Nevertheless, it’s potential that interactions with nutritional vitamins may very well be acknowledged sooner or later. For this reason it’s essential to verify together with your physician or pharmacist earlier than taking any of those merchandise throughout Concerta remedy. Concerta interactions with meals Concerta could work together with sure meals and drinks that include caffeine. Examples embrace chocolate, espresso, inexperienced tea, and a few tender drinks. The quantity of caffeine in meals and drinks could also be a lot lower than what’s usually in a caffeine complement.* Nevertheless, caffeinated meals and drinks should enhance the danger of sure negative effects with Concerta. Examples embrace insomnia, anxiousness, and irritability. (To be taught extra about negative effects of Concerta, see this text.) You probably have questions on particular meals or drinks which will work together with Concerta, speak together with your physician. * To be taught extra, see “Concerta interactions with dietary supplements” above. Concerta and vaccines No vaccines have been reported to work together with Concerta. To be taught extra about getting particular vaccines throughout Concerta remedy, speak together with your physician. Concerta and lab assessments Lab assessments and Concerta haven’t been reported to work together with one another. For added details about having particular lab assessments whilst you take Concerta, speak together with your physician. Concerta interplay with hashish or CBD Hashish (additionally known as marijuana or “weed”) and hashish merchandise, comparable to cannabidiol (CBD), have been particularly reported to work together with Concerta. Taking Concerta with hashish or hashish merchandise could result in sure negative effects. Examples embrace having a quick coronary heart charge, hypertension, or extreme coronary heart injury. Earlier than you begin remedy with Concerta, inform your physician and pharmacist in case you take hashish. By sharing this data with them, you could assist forestall potential interactions. Notice: Hashish is against the law at a federal stage however is authorized in lots of states to various levels.
Concerta and health-related interactions Sure medical circumstances and different components could enhance the danger of interactions with Concerta. Earlier than you are taking Concerta, you’ll want to speak together with your physician about your well being historical past. Concerta might not be the proper remedy choice for you when you have sure medical circumstances or different components affecting your well being. Well being circumstances or components that may work together with Concerta embrace: Historical past of drug dependence or alcohol use dysfunction. Docs usually is not going to prescribe Concerta when you have a historical past of drug dependence or alcohol use dysfunction. It is because Concerta has a boxed warning concerning the threat of drug dependence. To be taught extra, see “Boxed warning: Drug dependence” on the high of this text.
Docs usually is not going to prescribe Concerta when you have a historical past of drug dependence or alcohol use dysfunction. It is because Concerta has a concerning the threat of drug dependence. To be taught extra, see “Boxed warning: Drug dependence” on the high of this text. Agitation or anxiousness. You probably have extreme agitation or anxiousness, your physician will probably not prescribe Concerta. For particulars, see “When to keep away from Concerta” above.
You probably have extreme agitation or anxiousness, your physician will probably not prescribe Concerta. For particulars, see “When to keep away from Concerta” above. Glaucoma. You probably have glaucoma, your physician could not prescribe Concerta for you. For particulars, see “When to keep away from Concerta” above.
You probably have glaucoma, your physician could not prescribe Concerta for you. For particulars, see “When to keep away from Concerta” above. Tourette’s syndrome or tics. You probably have Tourette’s syndrome or tics, docs should not more likely to prescribe Concerta for you. For particulars, see the “When to keep away from Concerta” part above.
You probably have Tourette’s syndrome or tics, docs should not more likely to prescribe Concerta for you. For particulars, see the “When to keep away from Concerta” part above. Allergic response. If you happen to’ve had an allergic response to Concerta or any of its elements, your physician will probably not prescribe Concerta. For extra data, see “When to keep away from Concerta” above.
If you happen to’ve had an allergic response to Concerta or any of its elements, your physician will probably not prescribe Concerta. For extra data, see “When to keep away from Concerta” above. Psychological well being circumstances, comparable to bipolar dysfunction or psychosis. You probably have a psychological well being situation comparable to bipolar dysfunction or psychosis, speak together with your physician earlier than taking Concerta. The drug could worsen these circumstances. Your physician can advocate whether or not Concerta is the proper remedy choice for you.
You probably have a psychological well being situation comparable to bipolar dysfunction or psychosis, speak together with your physician earlier than taking Concerta. The drug could worsen these circumstances. Your physician can advocate whether or not Concerta is the proper remedy choice for you. Coronary heart issues, together with hypertension. Earlier than taking Concerta, inform your physician when you have hypertension or coronary heart issues comparable to an irregular coronary heart rhythm. Concerta could result in severe coronary heart issues, comparable to coronary heart assault, in individuals who have these circumstances. You probably have hypertension or coronary heart issues, your physician could prescribe a remedy aside from Concerta.
Earlier than taking Concerta, inform your physician when you have hypertension or coronary heart issues comparable to an irregular coronary heart rhythm. Concerta could result in severe coronary heart issues, comparable to coronary heart assault, in individuals who have these circumstances. You probably have hypertension or coronary heart issues, your physician could prescribe a remedy aside from Concerta. Issues together with your esophagus, abdomen, or intestines. As a result of Concerta tablets don’t change form when swallowed, they may block your intestines when you have sure digestive issues. (Examples of issues embrace brief bowel syndrome and peritonitis.) Earlier than taking Concerta, inform your physician when you have any issues together with your esophagus, abdomen, or intestines. They will help decide whether or not it’s secure to take Concerta.
As a result of Concerta tablets don’t change form when swallowed, they may block your intestines when you have sure digestive issues. (Examples of issues embrace brief bowel syndrome and peritonitis.) Earlier than taking Concerta, inform your physician when you have any issues together with your esophagus, abdomen, or intestines. They will help decide whether or not it’s secure to take Concerta. Circulation issues. Earlier than taking Concerta, inform your physician in case you or a member of the family has circulation issues. Concerta may cause circulation issues comparable to Raynaud’s syndrome. Due to this fact, the drug may worsen your situation. Your physician can advise you on whether or not it’s secure to take Concerta.
Earlier than taking Concerta, inform your physician in case you or a member of the family has circulation issues. Concerta may cause circulation issues comparable to Raynaud’s syndrome. Due to this fact, the drug may worsen your situation. Your physician can advise you on whether or not it’s secure to take Concerta. Seizures. Concerta could trigger seizures. If you have already got seizures, your threat of this facet impact could also be greater than standard. Your physician can decide whether or not Concerta is a secure remedy choice for you.
Concerta could trigger seizures. If you have already got seizures, your threat of this facet impact could also be greater than standard. Your physician can decide whether or not Concerta is a secure remedy choice for you. Being pregnant. It’s not identified whether or not Concerta is secure to take throughout being pregnant. If you happen to’re pregnant or planning a being pregnant, speak together with your physician earlier than taking Concerta. They’ll speak with you concerning the dangers and advantages of taking the drug whereas pregnant. For particulars about using Concerta throughout being pregnant, see this text.
It’s not identified whether or not Concerta is secure to take throughout being pregnant. If you happen to’re pregnant or planning a being pregnant, speak together with your physician earlier than taking Concerta. They’ll speak with you concerning the dangers and advantages of taking the drug whereas pregnant. For particulars about using Concerta throughout being pregnant, see this text. Breastfeeding. It’s not identified whether or not Concerta passes into breast milk or if the drug causes negative effects in a breastfed youngster. For extra details about taking Concerta whereas breastfeeding, speak together with your physician.
FAQs about Concerta and interactions Listed below are some incessantly requested questions on Concerta and potential interactions. Can I take Concerta with different stimulant medicine, comparable to Vyvanse? It could be most secure to keep away from taking Concerta with different stimulant medicine. Concerta is a stimulant drug. Taking Concerta with one other stimulant may enhance your threat of negative effects from each medicines. For that reason, your physician just isn’t more likely to prescribe Concerta together with stimulants. Examples of stimulant medicine embrace: lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse)
amphetamine/dextroamphetamine (Adderall, Adderall XR)
methamphetamine (Desoxyn)
dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine, Xelstrym) To be taught extra about Concerta and stimulants, speak together with your physician or pharmacist. Can I take Concerta with an over-the-counter ache reliever, comparable to Tylenol or Advil? Sure, it needs to be secure to take Concerta with an over-the-counter ache reliever, comparable to acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others). Concerta just isn’t identified to work together with these medicines. You probably have further questions on taking an over-the-counter ache reliever with Concerta, speak together with your physician or pharmacist.
Stopping interactions You’ll be able to take sure steps to assist forestall interactions with Concerta. Your physician and pharmacist are key assets, so attain out to them earlier than beginning remedy. For instance, it’s best to plan to do the next: Allow them to know in case you drink alcohol or take hashish.
Inform them about some other medicines you are taking, in addition to any dietary supplements, herbs, and nutritional vitamins.
Create a drugs listing , which your physician and pharmacist will help you fill out. It’s additionally essential to learn the label of Concerta and different paperwork which will include the drug. The label could have coloured stickers that point out an interplay. And the paperwork, typically known as the treatment information or affected person package deal insert, could include particulars about interactions. (If Concerta doesn’t include paperwork, you’ll be able to ask your pharmacist to print a duplicate for you.) If this data is obscure, ask your physician or pharmacist to assist clarify it. You may as well assist forestall interactions with Concerta by taking it precisely as your physician prescribes.
