Concerta 18 mg Tablet belongs to a group of medicines called 'central nervous system stimulant' used to improve wakefulness in adult patients with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) (overactive and short attention span) and narcolepsy (excessive and uncontrollable daytime sleepiness). ADHD is a chronic condition that mainly affects the child's behaviour, in which a child faces difficulty in paying attention or face hyperactivity (moving constantly), and impulsivity (rapid action). Narcolepsy is a medical condition in which a person faces excessive daytime sleepiness and face sleep attacks that make a person fall asleep suddenly in inappropriate situations.

Concerta 18 mg Tablet contains 'Methylphenidate' which is responsible for improving ADHD, and narcolepsy. It works by enhancing the amount of a chemical messenger known as 'dopamine' in the brain, which controls our body's sleep-wake cycle. It reduces the reuptake of dopamine into nerves. Dopamine is a chemical neurotransmitter that is used by nerves for communication purposes.

Take Concerta 18 mg Tablet as prescribed by your doctor. You are advised to take Concerta 18 mg Tablet for as long as your doctor has prescribed it for you depending on your medical condition. In some cases, you may experience certain common side effects such as headache, fast heartbeat, diarrhoea, back pain, feeling anxious, nausea, trouble sleeping, feeling nervous, dizziness, stuffy nose, and upset stomach. However, consult with your doctor if the symptoms continue for more than days or become severe, then immediately seek medical attention.

Concerta 18 mg Tablet is only a part of a treatment program, that involves psychological, educational, and social therapy. The use of Concerta 18 mg Tablet is not allowed in persons who are allergic to any of its constituent presents in it, so tell your doctor before taking this medicine. This medicine can affect children's growth and consult with your doctor if your child is not growing at a normal rate. A pregnant woman or thinking to be pregnant or breastfeeding or planning to be pregnant should consult with a doctor before taking this medicine. Tell your doctor if you had heart problems or high blood pressure or depression, low mood, anxiety, psychosis, before taking this medicine. A person should tell their doctor if they have glaucoma, a personal or family history of tics (muscle twitches), severe anxiety, tension, or agitation (stimulant medicine can make these symptoms worse) as this medicine can not be used in these conditions.

Concerta 18 mg Tablet belongs to the category of the stimulant indicated to improve wakefulness in persons who feel very sleepy due to Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and narcolepsy. It is suggested to children and young persons between 6-18 years of age. Concerta 18 mg Tablet is prescribed only after trying treatments that do not involve any type of medicine like behavioral therapy and counseling. Concerta 18 mg Tablet works by increasing the amount of a chemical known as dopamine in the brain by reducing the reabsorption of dopamine into nerves. Dopamine is a chemical neurotransmitter that is used by nerves to send signals for communication purposes. In this way, it helps a person to stay awake during the day, improves attention span, concentration and reduce impulsive behaviour.

• Headache
• Diarrhoea
• Uneven heartbeats
• Change in blood pressure
• Back pain
• Feeling anxious
• Nausea
• Trouble sleeping
• Feeling nervous
• Dizziness
• Stuffy nose
• Stomach upset

A person should tell their doctor if they have glaucoma, a personal or family history of tics (muscle twitches), severe anxiety, tension, or agitation (stimulant medicine can make these symptoms worse) as this medicine can not be used in these conditions. A person should tell their doctor straight away if they are feeling depressed, aggressive towards other people. Tell your doctor if your using Hormonal contraceptives like contraceptive pills as Concerta 18 mg Tablet can reduce their effectiveness and increase pregnancy chances. A pregnant or breastfeeding woman should not use Concerta 18 mg Tablet without asking the doctor. This is a habit-forming medicine, so do not change the dose or use it for a longer time without asking the doctor. If Concerta 18 mg Tablet is using for more than 12 months, your doctor may want to check your height, weight, appetite, heart function, and mental health. Tell your doctor if you are going for an operation as Concerta 18 mg Tablet can not be used on the same day of operation if an anaesthetic is used. There is the possibility of a sudden rise in blood pressure during operation. This medicine will give a positive result if checked for drug use, including testing in sport.

Drug-Drug interactions: Concerta 18 mg Tablet can interact with anti-depressant medications (bupropion, fluoxetine, escitalopram, sertraline).

Drug-Food interactions: A person taking Concerta 18 mg Tablet should avoid taking alcohol that increases this medicine's actions or side effects.

Drug-Disease interactions: To make sure Concerta 18 mg Tablet is safe or you, tell your doctor if you have agitation, cardiac disease, glaucoma, hypertension, liver disease, substance abuse, tics, hypertension, seizures disorders, bipolar disorders, psychiatric disorders, psychotic disorders, renal dysfunction, seizure disorders, hematologic toxicity, and GI narrowing.

• BUPROPION
• FLUOXETINE
• ESCITALOPRAM
• SERTRALINE

• Avoid heavy meals that are high in carbohydrates, so include nutritious food in your diet.
• Try to make a regular bedtime and close your light to make the room dark which helps you sleep better.
• Try to avoid heavy meals before bed as it will reduce the chances of acidity, and the person can sleep well.
• Try to take strategic naps throughout the day, which will make you feel refreshed and productive.
• Try to avoid sitting for long periods of time, which increases the chance of sleepiness so stand up and go outside at regular intervals.

Certain diagnostic tests that can help diagnose ADHD and narcolepsy are the polysomnogram (PSG) and the multiple sleep latency tests (MSLT). Concerta 18 mg Tablet can affect your judgment and reaction time, so do not drive a motor vehicle, do hazardous tasks, or operate any heavy machinery after taking Concerta 18 mg Tablet . However, if still, your symptoms do not improve, then consult a doctor. Using CPAP can help you to cope with sleep apnoea problems (breathing trouble affecting sleep).

ADHD: Children and young persons dealing with medical conditions often find it hard to sit still and concentrate. It is a chronic condition that interferes with the functioning or development of the child. Children dealing with this disease often face difficulty sustaining focus (Inattention), constant movements or excessively fidgets, taps, or talks (Hyperactivity), and hasty actions which can be harmful, and occur at the moment without first thinking about them (Impulsivity). Narcolepsy: It is a medical condition of the nervous system that causes excessive sleepiness during the daytime and makes a person fall asleep in suddenly inappropriate situations (sleep attacks). A person dealing with this disease can face symptoms like falling asleep in mid of a conversation, sleep paralysis (feeling paralyzed during sleep), hypnogogic hallucinations (hallucinations before you fall asleep), and hypnopompic hallucinations (hallucinations occurring in the middle of the night).