The documented risks of these drugs are provided so the public can make informed, educated decisions. Concerta is a stimulant drug, classified by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) as Schedule II, in the same class of highly addictive drugs as morphine, opium and cocaine. The DEA states that the use of stimulants can lead to “severe psychological or physical dependence” and that “these drugs are also considered dangerous.” Concerta is also known as Concerta LP, Concerta Oros, Daytrana, Equasym, Equasym XL, Metadate, Metadate CD, Metadate ER, Methylin, Methylin ER, Methylphenidate, Ritalin, Ritalin LA, Ritalin SR.
Please note: No one should attempt to get off of psychiatric drugs without a doctor’s supervision.
Also, read the FDA’s Concerta Medication Guide for more information. MedGuides include “the particular serious and significant public health concern that has created the need for the Medication Guide” and notes “pediatric risks.” (Note: Unfortunately, the FDA MedGuides only work on a desktop, not on a mobile device. Please complain to the FDA to make their public advisories accessible to all. 1-888-INFO-FDA or 1-888-463-6332.)
Concerta Drug Warnings:
There have been 32 drug regulatory agency warnings from nine countries (Australia, Canada, Denmark, France, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, United Kingdom and United States) on Concerta (or methylphenidate). These include the following (note that some warnings cite more than one side effect, so the list below may not be equal to the total number of warnings):
- 16 warnings on Concerta causing cardiovascular disorders
- 8 warnings on Concerta causing heart problems
- 5 warnings on Concerta causing death or sudden death
- 4 warnings on Concerta causing mania or psychosis
- 4 warnings on Concerta causing hallucinations
- 3 warnings on Concerta causing depression
- 3 warnings on Concerta causing heart attacks
- 3 warnings on Concerta causing skin conditions
- 3 warnings on Concerta causing addiction or dependence
- 2 warnings on Concerta causing eye problems
- 2 warnings on Concerta causing involuntary movements
- 2 warnings on Concerta causing stroke
- 2 warnings on Concerta causing suicide risk or attempts
- 2 warnings on Concerta causing agitation
- 2 warnings on Concerta causing seizures or convulsions
- 2 warnings on Concerta causing drug abuse
- 1 warning on Concerta causing hostility or aggression
- 1 warning on Concerta causing anxiety
- 1 warning on Concerta causing liver problems
- 1 warning on Concerta causing abnormal behavior
- 1 warning on Concerta causing sleep problems
- 1 warning on Concerta causing blood pressure changes
Concerta Drug Studies:
There have been 25 studies done in 14 countries (Australia, Belgium, Canada, China, Denmark, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Scotland, South Korea, United Kingdom and United States) on Concerta (or methylphenidate). These include the following (note that some studies cite more than one side effect, so the list below may not be equal to the total number of studies):
- 6 studies on Concerta causing cardiovascular disorders
- 5 studies on Concerta causing lack of efficacy
- 4 studies on Concerta causing heart problems
- 2 studies on Concerta causing sleep problems
- 2 studies on Concerta causing blood pressure changes
- 2 studies on Concerta causing sudden death
- 2 studies on Concerta causing drug abuse
- 1 study on Concerta causing heart attacks
- 1 study on Concerta causing hallucinations
- 1 study on Concerta causing homicidal ideation
- 1 study on Concerta causing mania or psychosis
- 1 study on Concerta causing violence
- 1 study on Concerta causing stunted growth
- 1 study on Concerta causing abnormal behavior
- 1 study on Concerta causing cognitive impairment
- 1 study on Concerta causing involuntary movements
- 1 study on Concerta causing irritability
- 1 study on Concerta causing lowered bone mass
- 1 study on Concerta causing nervous system disorders
- 1 study on Concerta causing suicide risk or attempts
- 1 study on Concerta causing withdrawal reactions
Adverse Reaction Reports Filed with the US FDA:
There have been 7,473 adverse reactions reported to the US FDA in connection with Concerta (methylphenidate).
The FDA estimates that less than 1% of all serious events are ever reported to it, so the actual number of side effects occurring are most certainly higher.
Documented Side Effects of Concerta (methylphenidate)
Source: Physicians Desk Reference, National Institutes of Health’s Medline Plus, and/or the drug label.
- Agitation/hostility
- Blood pressure changes
- Changes in vision or blurred vision
- Depression
- Hallucinations
- Hives
- Hypersensitivity
- Insomnia
- Involuntary tics/ twitching
- Irregular heartbeat
- Loss of appetite
- Mood changes
- Muscle tightness
- Nausea
- Nervousness
- Numbness
- Restlessness
- Seizures
- Sexual dysfunction
- Slow/difficult speech
- Stomach pain
- Uncontrollable movement of a body part
- Weight loss
Note: Side effects of psychiatric drugs can persist for months, if not years, after stopping them.
Side Effects of Common Psychiatric Drugs
This brochure is an overview of the side effects of common psychiatric drugs and includes information on drug regulatory agency warnings, studies and other reports that may not appear in the packaging information for the drugs.
It is a simple guide that documents the dangerous and deadly side effects of the drugs prescribed to millions of men, women and children diagnosed with bogus mental disorders.
Also visit the Psychiatric Drug Side Effects Search Engine for advanced searches on specific psychiatric drugs
Reference and Source from: https://www.cchrint.org/psychiatric-drugs/stimulantsideeffects/concertasideeffects/