Drug Content

Methylphenidate- Half Life: 2-4 hours; Schedule II Drug

Methlyphenidate (Concerta) is a central nervous system stimulant that is commonly used to treat attention-deficit disorder (ADD) and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).  In certain cases, methylphenidate (Concerta) is used to treat the daytime drowsiness symptoms of narcolepsy and chronic fatigue syndrome.  Methylphenidate (Concerta) has been found to be well tolerated by patients, as well as have a lower incidence of side effects than dextroamphetamine, a less commonly prescribed medication.

Methylphenidate is also the active ingredient in another popularly prescribed ADD/ADHD medication known as Ritalin.  What makes Concerta different than Ritalin is that it’s sustained-released, which simply means that the tablets or capsules are formulated to dissolve slowly and release the drug over a longer period of time.  A doctor may want to presribe a sustained-release form of medication so that the patient can take their ADD/ADHD medication less frequently than instant-release formulations of the same drug, and that they keep a much steadier level of the drug in the bloodstream.

Methylphenidate (Concerta), just like all stimulants work by increasing dopamine levels in the brain.  Methylphenidate (Concerta) however binds to the norepinephrine transporter as well.  Dopamine is both a hormone and neurotransmitter that is associated with pleasure, attention, and movement.  At first, a doctor will start a patient on a low dose of a stimulant so they can find out how much of the medication is needed for its therapeutic effect.  If a therapeutic effect isn’t being experienced, the doctor will gradually increase it.  If a stimulant such as methylphenidate (Concerta) is taken in doses other than those prescribed, they can rapidly increase dopamine levels which would amplify what the stimulant is naturally supposed to do.  This would produce euphoria (being “high”), increase one’s sociability, and increase the creative drive of idea generation.  While stimulants produce these effects on a general basis, the severity of the effects would be far greater.

The main role of methylphenidate (Concerta) should also be in conjunction with psychotherapy, which would help improve the symptoms of ADD/ADHD, as well as the patient’s self-esteem, cognition, and social/family interactions.  The calming and focusing effects of methylphenidate (Concerta) allow the patient to relax and concentrate more, and researchers have speculated that since methylphenidate (Concerta) amplifies the release of dopamine in a patient’s brain, it can improve the attention span and focus in patients whose dopamine signals are weak.

Side effects of methylphenidate (Concerta) cannot be anticipated, but if any develop or change in intensity, be sure to inform your doctor as soon as possible.  Only your doctor can determine whether or not it is safe to continue taking methylphenidate (Concerta).  Side effects are as followed:

Nervousness; difficulty falling or staying asleep (insomnia); dizziness; euphoria; nausea; vomiting; loss of appetite; stomach pain; diarrhea; headache; weight loss; mild skin rash; vision problems

If any of these more serious side effects are experienced, be sure to contact your doctor as soon as possible:

fast, pounding, or uneven/irregular heartbeat; feeling like you might pass out; chest pain; shortness of breath; excessive tiredness; slow or difficult speech; dizziness or faintness; weakness/numbness of an arm or leg; seizures; vision change; abnormal thoughts; agitation; hallucinations; aggression; anxiety; restlessness; unusual behavior; motor tics (muscle twitches); depression; sudden mood changes; fever; sore throat; unusual bleeding or bruising; muscle/joint pain; rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing or swallowing; dangerously high blood pressure

Similar to other medications, methylphenidate (Concerta) have been abused for both “performance enhancement” and recreational purposes (to get high, enhance one’s sense of well-being, etc).  But its habit-forming effects only lead to a darker road.  Now just because stimulants are abusable doesn’t mean everyone is going to do it- just make sure that you are taking the medication(s) as prescribed.  As explained before, stimulant abuse is mainly used to suppress one’s appetite, aid in a person’s weight loss, increase wakefulness, and amplify one’s focus and attention.  When abused, even though stimulants produce a calming euphoric effect anyway, many abusers crush, snort and/or inject the medication to experience a much greater effect.  If an abuser dissolves the tablet in water and injects the mixture, complications can occur because the insoluable fillers in the tablets can block small blood vessels.

Methylphenidate (Concerta) is listed as a Schedule II drug of the United States’ Controlled Substances Act, which means the drug has a high potential for abuse and the abuse of the drug or substance may lead to severe psychological and/or physical dependence.  Methylphenidate (Concerta) withdrawal is generally not life-threatening, although it can be uncomfortable.  When withdrawal of a stimulant medication is occuring, one may feel so uncomfortable to the point where they will have the urge to take their medication to relieve the symptoms.  Stimulants are known to cause withdrawal symptoms in people who suddenly stop taking the medication, which is not recommended.  If you or someone you know is ready to come off of a stimulant medication, make sure you and/or they contact a doctor so that he/she can taper you/they off of the medication.  Withdrawal symptoms include but are not limited to:

Severe emotional depression; feelings of paranoia; thoughts of suicide; agitation; anxiety; changes in heart rhythm; sleep disturbances

The severity of withdrawal from methylphenidate (Concerta) depends on how much of the drug was taken and for how long it was taken for.  Methylphenidate (Concerta) withdrawal can last anywhere from one to four days, but can last up to a week or two, depending on how much is in your system.  People have stated that the average time of withdrawal is one to two days.

Methylphenidate- Half Life: 2-4 hours; Schedule II Drug

Methylphenidate (Ritalin) is a prescription stimulant drug that is commonly used to treat common conditions such as attention-deficit disorder (ADD), attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and narcolepsy (excessive daytime sleepiness).  Methylphenidate (Ritalin) acts on the central nervous system, reducing impulsive behavior and increasing one’s ability to concentrate on work and other tasks.  Studies have shown that adults taking methylphenidate (Ritalin) for ADD or ADHD have reported that it increases their ability to focus better on their everyday activities, as well as organize their lives more effectively.  Methylphenidate (Ritalin) may be used for other purposes that aren’t listed in this article.

Methylphenidate (Ritalin) is popular amongst patients requiring the medication- this is because the side effects are generally milder than other medications in its class.  When prescribed at the correct dosage, Methylphenidate is normally well tolerated by patients.  A review that was assessed in 2006 stated the safety of methylphenidate (Ritalin) in patients.  The medication was tested on animals with psychomotor impairments, which proved that the structural and functional parameters of the dopamine system were improved with treatment.  Methylphenidate (Ritalin) was officially stated to positively support brain development in patients suffering from ADHD.

Methylphenidate (Ritalin) is an effective form of treatment for a lot of patients suffering from ADD, ADHD and narcolepsy- but it is important to include other treatment programs such as psychological, educational, and social measures.  Methylphenidate (Ritalin) comes in a plethora of different forms such as in an immediate-release tablet, chewable tablet, liquid solution, intermediate-acting (extended-release), and long-acting (extended-release).  Make sure to follow the directions on whichever one is prescribed to you, as they differ from each form.  Your doctor may start you off with a low dose of Methylphenidate (Ritalin), just to see how the medication reacts to you- but in many cases, a doctor likes to see if the patient has ADD or ADHD, which can be properly diagnosed by gradually increasing the dose, not more often than once every week.

Side effects of methylphenidate (Ritalin) cannot be anticipated, but if any develop or change in intensity, be sure to inform your doctor as soon as possible.  Only your doctor can determine whether or not it is safe to continue taking methylphenidate (Ritalin).  Side effects are as followed:

Nervousness; difficulty falling or staying asleep (insomnia); dizziness; euphoria; nausea; vomiting; loss of appetite; stomach pain; diarrhea; headache; weight loss; mild skin rash; vision problems

If any of these more serious side effects are experienced, be sure to contact your doctor as soon as possible:

fast, pounding, or uneven/irregular heartbeat; feeling like you might pass out; chest pain; shortness of breath; excessive tiredness; slow or difficult speech; dizziness or faintness; weakness/numbness of an arm or leg; seizures; vision change; abnormal thoughts; agitation; hallucinations; aggression; anxiety; restlessness; unusual behavior; motor tics (muscle twitches); depression; sudden mood changes; fever; sore throat; unusual bleeding or bruising; muscle/joint pain; rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing or swallowing; dangerously high blood pressure

Like all medications, methylphenidate (Ritalin) can be potentially habit-forming and is listed as a Schedule II drug of the United States’ Controlled Substances Act.  Methylphenidate (Ritalin) withdrawal is generally not life-threatening, although it can be uncomfortable.  It can be uncomfortable to the point where one will start taking the drug again in order to relieve the withdrawal symptoms.  Stimulants are known to cause withdrawal symptoms in people who suddenly stop taking the medication, which is not recommended.  Symptoms of withdrawal include but are not limited to:

Severe emotional depression; feelings of paranoia; thoughts of suicide; agitation; anxiety; changes in heart rhythm; sleep disturbances

The severity of withdrawal from methylphenidate (Ritalin) depends on how much of the drug was taken and for how long it was taken for.  Methylphenidate (Ritalin) withdrawal can last anywhere from one to four days, but can last up to a week or two, depending on how much is in your system.  People have stated that the average time of withdrawal is one to two days.

Also known as stimulants- they increase alertness, attention, and provide more energy.  Stimulants increase heart rate, blood pressure, and respiration, unlike depressants, which slow down certain parts of the body’s mechanisms.  Stimulants increase the activity of either the sympathetic nervous system (SNS), central nervous system (CNS), or both.  Caffeine, which is found in coffee and certain soft drinks, as well as nicotine, which is found in tobacco, are among some of the world’s most commonly used stimulants.

Back then, stimulants were used to treat asthma and other respiratory problems, obesity, neurological disorders, and a load of other conditions.  Seeing that users of stimulants began to abuse their medication, doctors quickly cut down on who they prescribed these medications to.  Now, stimulants are prescribed for treating only certain health conditions such as attention-deficit disorder (ADD), attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), narcolepsy, and depression that has not responded to other treatments.

Some of the more common stimulants on the market are; Adderall (mixed amphetamine salts), Dexedrine (dextroamphetamine), and Ritalin (methylphenidate).  All of these medications come in either immediate release, sustained release, or long-acting release.

Stimulants such as dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine) and methylphenidate (Ritalin) have similar chemical structures that key brain neurotransmitters known as monoamines, which include norepinephrine and dopamine.  Rather than slowing down the brain, stimulants make the brain go into overdrive- or increase the levels of these chemicals in the brain and body.  As the brain is going in overdrive- stimulants increase blood pressure, heart rate & blood glucose, constricts blood vessels, and opens up the pathways of the respiratory system.  In small term- the increase in dopamine causes one’s body to feel a sense of euphoria that is caused by the use of stimulant drugs.

Studies have shown that people who are diagnosed with ADD or ADHD do not become addicted to stimulant medications, such as Adderall & Ritalin.  However, if the medication is abused, they can become quite addictive.  The consequences of abusing stimulants are far different than those abusing pain killers, as stimulants increase certain parts of body levels, rather than slowing them down.  Taking high doses of stimulant drugs can result in an irregular heartbeat, dangerously high body temperatures, and/or the potential for cardiovascular failure- as well as seizures.  Taking high doses of stimulant drugs for a short period of time is also different than taking other drugs, as this can lead to hostility or feelings of paranoia.

Stimulant drugs should not be mixed with antidepressants or OTC cold medications containing decongestants.  Antidepressants may enhance the effects of a stimulant drug, and the combination of stimulants and decongestants can cause dangerously high blood pressure or irregular heart rhythms.

As with other addictive drugs, any person who becomes dependant on a stimulant drug, and then suddenly stops taking the drug can suffer through withdrawal.  The symptoms can be quite uncomfortable, but there are things that doctors can do to ease or stop the withdrawals.  A few withdrawal symptoms of stimulant drugs include, but are not limited to; extreme fatigue (tiredness), depression, and changes in heart rhythm.  While withdrawal from stimulants isn’t life-threatening, it is uncomfortable, and one should seek medical care.

Treatment of addiction to prescription stimulants, such as methylphenidate and amphetamines, are based on behavioral therapies used to treat cocaine and/or methamphetamine addiction.  Since the addiction for stimulants aren’t that high, and the withdrawals aren’t as severe as others- there currently are no proven medications for treatment.  Antidepressants may be used to manage depression from people suffering through withdrawal.

Depending on the patient’s situation, the first step in treating prescription stimulant addiction would be to slowly taper the drug’s dose, which would treat the withdrawal symptoms.  The one problem that many people have once the drug has been tapered to the point where they no longer need the medication anymore is that they relapse.  It is important not to relapse, so entering a therapy center is extremely important.  Cognitive-behavioral therapy centers are a great way to stay off of stimulant drugs.  These centers will teach patients to recognize risky situations and to walk away from them, avoid drug use at all costs, and to cope more effectively with problems.  Help is available, so take advantage of it.