Concerta Tips from Pharmacists

• Take Concerta in the morning, with or without food. Avoid taking the medicine in the evening or at night as this can cause sleeping trouble. Take your medicine at around the same time every day to maintain stable blood levels of the drug.

• Swallow Concerta tablets whole. Do not cut, crush, or chew them. This is an extended-release formulation that contains a larger dose of the medicine that is released slowly in the body.

• Check which methylphenidate product has been dispensed to you. This medicine is available in many dosage forms that have different instructions for use (how much of the medicine to take and how often to take it). Do not substitute one form of methylphenidate for another without consulting your healthcare provider.

• Concerta can cause dizziness, drowsiness, and blurry vision in some people. Avoid driving or operating heavy machinery until you know how this medication affects you.

• Do not stop taking Concerta without consulting your provider. Suddenly stopping treatment can lead to withdrawal symptoms such as tiredness, depression, and trouble sleeping.