report of the first patient overdose on concerta

What will happen if you overdose on Concerta?

If the person suspected of a Concerta overdose appears unconscious, call 911 immediately 1. Neurological effects from overdose can include issues ranging from uncontrollable tremors and muscle twitches to seizures. Some experience a dilation or widening of the pupils.

How much Concerta does it take to overdose?

The max dose that has been used for Concerta without any problems is around 100 mg per day. However, the lethal dose may be much higher than that—more like 100 mg/kg or even 1000 mg/kg of body weight. It goes without saying that you shouldn’t use this information to harm yourself; there are other options out there besides self harm.

What are the symptoms of Concerta overdose?

• Agitation
• arm, back or jaw pain
• bleeding gums
• bloody nose
• chest discomfort, tightness, or heaviness
• chills
• confusion
• cough
• dark urine
• diarrhea

More items...

What is Concerta, and how is it abused?

Signs Of Concerta (Methylphenidate) Abuse. Concerta, a medication commonly prescribed to treat ADHD, is a stimulant that enhances attention and focus, amplifies energy, reduces appetite, and reduces the need for sleep. Although the drug can help those with ADHD improve impulse control and reduce hyperactivity, it can also be abused by those looking to get high or improve academic or work performance.

What would happen if you took too many Concerta?

If you/your child take too much CONCERTA you/your child may experience symptoms such as vomiting, agitation, muscle twitching, hallucination, dry mouth, excessive sweating, fever, headache, irregular or fast heart beat, dilated pupils, convulsions/fits, breathing problems, confusion and seizures.

How many mg of Concerta is too much?

Dosage for ADHD After at least a week, your doctor may increase your dosage to 54 mg per day. After another week, if that dosage is still not working for you, your doctor may increase your dosage to 72 mg daily. The maximum dosage (highest recommended dosage) of Concerta in adults is 72 mg each day.

Can you take too many Concerta?

Taking too much Concerta can lead to overdose, which can be life-threatening. A Concerta overdose can affect the individual both physically and psychologically. Physical Concerta overdose symptoms include: Vomiting.

Can I take two 36 mg Concerta?

Teens can take up to 72 milligrams of Concerta per day as two 36-mg capsules. The active ingredient in Concerta is methylphenidate HCl or Ritalin. You can't open, crush, or chew Concerta, unlike many other once-a-day ADHD medicines, which limits its use in younger children who can't swallow pills.

Can I OD on Concerta?

One of the most serious effects of abusing Concerta is toxicity or overdose. Concerta toxicity can cause delirium, confusion, toxic psychosis and hallucinations. An overdose on Concerta can be fatal. It can even be dangerous for other people, as the user may become extremely aggressive and hostile.

Can you take 108 mg of Concerta?

CONCLUSION: CONCERTA extended-release tablets, in a dose range of 36 to 108 mg/day, were generally safe and well tolerated in adult subjects with ADHD in this study treated for up to 1 year.

Can Concerta damage your brain?

However, stimulant misuse can actually do long-term damage to the brain and body. For example, abusing it can actually hamper the development of a young brain. Continue reading to learn more about the potential effects of misusing Concerta.

How long does Concerta crash last?

It lasts up to 12 hours. This could mean that you don't need to take a second dose during the day. But in some people, it wears off more quickly.

Is Concerta stronger than Adderall?

Manufacturers designed Concerta so that its effects last 12 hours, whereas those of Adderall peak at around 3 hours. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), around 70–80 percent of children see an improvement in their ADHD symptoms when taking these drugs.

What will Concerta test positive for?

Even worse, it is equally stated (unreferenced) in the Summary of Product Characteristics (SPC) of both Ritalin tablets (Novartis Pharmaceuticals) and Concerta prolonged release tablets (Janssen-Cilag), that “this product contains methylphenidate which may induce a false positive laboratory test for amphetamines, ...

Does Concerta make you angry?

People who take Concerta may experience irritability and anxiety as common side effects. Concerta can also cause or worsen symptoms of mental illness, such as hallucinations, and it may increase aggressive behavior among children or teens.

Can Concerta cause depression?

Depression. It's possible you'll experience depression from taking Concerta. This was a rare side effect reported in clinical studies.

How Much Concerta Is Too Much?

When it comes to abusing an ADHD medication such as Concerta, there are many risks, including an overdose. So, how much is too much Concerta?

Concerta Overdose Symptoms

Abusing Concerta by mismanaging the dosing or administering the drug in a different way than prescribed can lead to an accidental overdose. Concerta overdose symptoms may include:

Concerta Overdose Risk Factors

When taking higher doses or larger quantities of Concerta, an accidental overdose can occur. Overdoses generally occur when the person has become addicted and begins to use other methods of ingesting the stimulant medication.

Treating Concerta Addiction

If you or a loved one are suffering from drug abuse, now is the time to get help. We offer several treatment programs at our facilities where you’ll receive top-quality care.

What are the effects of Concerta overdose?

Neurological effects from overdose can include issues ranging from uncontrollable tremors and muscle twitches to seizures. Some experience a dilation or widening of the pupils. Blurred vision and fainting are possible. If the person suspected of a Concerta overdose appears unconscious, call 911 immediately 1.

What to do if you are unconscious from Concerta?

If the person suspected of a Concerta overdose appears unconscious, call 911 immediately 1. Neurological effects from overdose can include issues ranging from uncontrollable tremors and muscle twitches to seizures.

Can Concerta cause hallucinations?

An overdose of Concerta, accidental or otherwise, can cause psychological effects that can be extreme 1. Some experience a sense of agitation or confusion; others can experience the opposite in the form of an inappropriate state of happiness, according to the NIH and the National Library of Medicine website MedlinePlus. Hallucinations are also possible.

Is Concerta safe for high blood pressure?

Concerta is not recommended for people with serious cardiac problems or with high blood pressure, according to RxList.com 1. If abused, stimulant medications such as Concerta can cause people to feel flushed and experience an irregular, fast or pounding heartbeat that can prove deadly without proper medical attention 1.

Is Concerta a stimulant?

Concerta is made with methylphenidate, a medication considered to be a central nervous system stimulant 1 2. This means it affects brain chemicals as well as nerves that produce symptoms such as hyperactivity and impulse control. This is why it's used so effectively to treat attention deficit disorder (ADD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Concerta can be abused and should be administered cautiously to those with a history of drug dependence or alcoholism 1. Because an overdose of Concerta can be fatal, medical attention should be sought immediately or poison control contacted 1.

How often should I take Concerta?

While Concerta doses are gradually increased during the treatment, the fact that it is taken only once a day is the main factor in most cases of Concerta overdose. For most medications that are similar, the dosage is taken in 3-4 doses spaced over 3-4 hour periods throughout the day, but because of the new delivery system Concerta doses can be taken in one pill that is absorbed gradually throughout the day. The most common Concerta doses include: 18 mg, 27 mg, 36 mg, and 54 mg. And while this may seem high if you are used to taking 5-10 mg of Ritalin or another equivalent medication, you have to take multiple dosages over the day. Store all of this medication at room temperature and away from light and moisture, such as the bathroom.

Is Concerta the same as Ritalin?

Concerta is a longer acting medication that uses the same generic drug, Methylphenidate, as Ritalin. Although it has been out for several years there are a number of issues surrounding the proper Concerta doses to take and the possibility of Concerta overdose. These issues largely stem from the transition from medications that consist of multiple daily doses, such as Ritalin, to a single dose in Concerta. These mistakes can lead to Concerta overdose, which can have severe negative side effects.

How does Concerta work?

Concerta is a long-acting stimulant that works by increasing the activity of dopamine throughout the reward circuitry of the brain, leading to a euphoric high. The drug also boosts dopamine levels in key regions of the brain, which can lead to an increase in focus and attention.

How much methylphenidate is produced in the world?

According to a report by the United Nation’s International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) in 2016, global production of methylphenidate has continued to increase worldwide, reaching a record high of 72 tons in 2015.

Can Concerta cause seizures?

There are reports of individuals overdosing on Concerta and experiencing a range of significant overdose symptoms, such as hallucinations, tachycardia (rapid heart rate), and seizures. In some cases, overdosing on Concerta can lead to lethal complications; this is more likely when the drug has been combined with other substances.

Is Concerta safe for ADHD?

The use of Concerta to treat individuals with ADHD is approved by the FDA, but it is not safe for everyone. Concerta is contraindicated (not recommended for use) in people who have: 4. Severe tension, anxiety, agitation. Glaucoma. Tourette’s syndrome (or family history of the disease).

Can you overdose on Concerta?

It is possible to overdose on Concerta , and, in some instances, an overdose can be deadly. The most common causes of death after overdosing on the drug stem from either a dangerously rapid heart rate or aberrant heart rhythm associated with ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation. 9.

Is Concerta a methylphenidate?

And extended-release methylphenidate formulations like Concerta joined the top 10 most dispensed drugs among adults. Because Concerta is widely prescribed and available, there is a relatively high likelihood that a child or teen will come across it in a medicine cabinet or from a friend.

How many people were sent to the emergency department after abusing Concerta?

More than 4,700 people were sent to the emergency department after abusing the drug in 2010. That number grew to 6,395 in 2011. Some individuals crush Concerta and snort it or inject it with water to feel its effects more rapidly. But doing so drastically increases a person’s risk for overdose and addiction.

What are the side effects of Concerta?

Loss of appetite. People who take high doses of Concerta or who snort or inject it are more likely to suffer severe side effects. The drug can block blood vessels when injected, damaging the eyes and lungs. Other side effects of Concerta abuse include: Anger.

How does Concerta affect the brain?

The brain gets used to the drug’s presence and goes into withdrawal when a person stops taking it. Abusing Concerta disrupts communication in the brain even more drastically, increasing the risk for addiction — a chronic disease in which people make compulsive, harmful decisions to consume the drug.

What is Concerta used for?

Concerta is a prescription stimulant that doctors use to treat symptoms of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. It is made from methylphenidate, the same active ingredient contained in Ritalin, an older quick-acting stimulant. Concerta is a long-acting drug that is usually taken once per day.

When was Ritalin first used?

Ritalin was one of the most popular prescription stimulants from the time it was introduced in the 1950s until the introduction of Adderall in the ‘90s. Today, extended-release and long-acting stimulants, such as Concerta, are growing in popularity.

How many prescriptions for methylphenidate were issued in 2011?

In total, prescriptions for drugs containing methylphenidate grew from 15.7 million in 2011 to 16.3 million in 2012. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration classifies methylphenidate as a Schedule II controlled substance, meaning it has a very high potential for psychological and physical dependence.

What are the withdrawal symptoms of Concerta?

Concerta withdrawal symptoms include: Extreme fatigue. Severe depression. Anxiety.