{"id":54410,"date":"2022-10-06T10:18:18","date_gmt":"2022-10-06T14:18:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=54410"},"modified":"2024-09-19T11:52:21","modified_gmt":"2024-09-19T15:52:21","slug":"concerta-alternatives","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/concerta-alternatives\/","title":{"rendered":"Concerta alternatives: What can I take instead of Concerta?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Compare Concerta alternatives<\/a> | Daytrana<\/a> | <\/span>Adderall XR<\/span><\/a> | <\/span>Strattera<\/span><\/a> | Kapvay<\/a> | <\/span>Intuniv<\/span><\/a> | Natural alternatives<\/a> | How to switch meds<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

The <\/span>stigma<\/span><\/a> around <\/span>mental health<\/span>, unfortunately, remains prevalent and adds a difficult component to managing living with one to any of those suffering. One Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), <\/span>Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder<\/span><\/a> (<\/span>ADHD<\/span>), is a common <\/span>mental health<\/span> condition<\/span><\/a>. It is characterized by inattention, hyperactivity and <\/span>impulsivity<\/span> and is one of the most common reasons children are referred to receive <\/span>mental health<\/span> services. However, there is now a growing understanding that <\/span>ADHD<\/span> can continue into <\/span>adulthood<\/span><\/a> for many people. In addition, the <\/span>diagnosis of <\/span>ADHD<\/span> in adults<\/span><\/a> may go unidentified since it differs from that in children due to many different symptoms. We know that <\/span>ADHD<\/span> is a lifespan disorder, and while treatment plans designed by <\/span>healthcare<\/span> professionals include many non-pharmacologic approaches, medication is often a component of that plan.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Concerta<\/span> (<\/span>methylphenidate<\/span>, <\/span>extended-release<\/span>) is a <\/span>central nervous system<\/span> stimulant<\/span> (CNS) that induces <\/span>dopamine<\/span> release and is prescribed to <\/span>treat ADHD<\/span>, and other conditions including severe fatigue in a cancer-related or palliative setting, <\/span>major depressive disorder <\/span><\/a>in certain patient populations, as well as <\/span>narcolepsy<\/span><\/a>. <\/span>Dosing<\/span><\/a> of <\/span>Concerta<\/span> for these indications is highly individualized. While the <\/span>active ingredient<\/span> of <\/span>Concerta<\/span>, <\/span>methylphenidate<\/span>, is available in many <\/span>ADHD<\/span> prescription drugs<\/span> and may be recommended as first-line therapy, patients not responding to one <\/span>med<\/span> may respond to another.<\/span><\/p>\n

RELATED: <\/b>What is Concerta?<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n

What can I take in place of <\/span>Concerta<\/span>?<\/span><\/h2>\n

\t\t

There are other options in the <\/span>treatment of ADHD<\/span> besides <\/span>brand name<\/span> Concerta<\/span>. Most alternative prescription medications include other types of <\/span>central nervous system<\/span> stimulants<\/span><\/a>, which include <\/span>methylphenidate<\/span>, <\/span>dexmethylphenidate<\/span>, serdexmethylphenidate\/<\/span>dexmethylphenidate<\/span>, and amphetamines as their main ingredients. Where <\/span>methylphenidate<\/span> induces <\/span>dopamine<\/span> release as its main mechanism of action, amphetamines block the reuptake and increase the release of serotonin, <\/span>norepinephrine<\/span>, and <\/span>dopamine<\/span>. Both <\/span>methylphenidate<\/span> and <\/span>amphetamine salts<\/span> are examples of <\/span>Schedule II<\/span> controlled substances<\/span><\/a> per the Food and Drug Administration (<\/span>FDA<\/span>). Patients not responding to one <\/span>stimulant<\/span> may respond to another, and doses are usually initiated at lower doses and then titrated slowly.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n