Key takeaways
The standard Concerta dosage for ADHD in adults is 18–72 mg/day taken as a single dose.
The max dose of Concerta is 54 mg/day for children 6 to 12 years and 72 mg/day for adults and adolescents.
Concerta is available as extended-release tablets, which are swallowed whole and best taken in the morning.
Concerta is a brand-name prescription drug that relieves the symptoms of attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children 6 years of age and older and adults 65 years of age and younger. Its active ingredient, extended-release methylphenidate, is a central nervous system stimulant. It and other stimulant medications called amphetamines are the first-line treatments for ADHD. Because it’s an extended-release formulation, Concerta tablets are taken as a single daily dose in the morning.
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Detailed Concerta dosage chart for adults |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
| Indication | Starting dose | Standard dose | Maximum dose |
| ADHD | 18 mg extended-release tablet once a day | 18–72 mg extended-release tablets once a day | 72 mg once a day |
Detailed Concerta dosage chart for children |
||
|---|---|---|
| Age | Standard dosage | Maximum dosage |
| 6-12 years old | 18–54 mg daily | 54 mg/day |
| 13 years and older | 18–72 mg daily | 2 mg/kg of body weight up to 72 mg/day |
RELATED: Concerta vs. Adderall
Personalized dosing considerations
Dosing limitations are not recommended for people with kidney or liver problems.
Concerta safety info
Concerta is widely used in children and adults to relieve ADHD symptoms. It is considered safe, but there are serious issues patients or their caregivers should be aware of.
The most important things to know about Concerta safety are:
This drug has a boxed warning about its high potential for dependence, abuse, misuse, addiction, and overdose. Tell the healthcare provider about current or past abuse or addiction problems. Watch for signs of misuse. Keep the drug away from other people.
This drug can cause serious cardiovascular problems, including sudden death, in people with heart defects or serious heart disease.
Because of the risk of hypersensitivity reactions, Concerta is contraindicated in anyone who has had an allergic reaction to Concerta.
Concerta is not FDA-approved for use in children younger than 6 or adults older than 65 because of the risks of side effects.
Some pre-existing conditions are not contraindications, but it may be risky for people with these conditions to take the drug. These include:
Heart problems
Heart rate abnormalities (arrhythmias)
Hypertension (high blood pressure)
Circulation problems in the feet or legs
Eye problems, including glaucoma
Hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid)
A seizure disorder
Intestinal blockage
Tourette syndrome, motor tics, or a family history of Tourette syndrome
Any history or family history of bipolar disorder or psychosis
Any history of drug abuse or dependence
The list of conditions makes sense when considering that some of Concerta’s possible serious adverse reactions are hypertension, heart attack, sudden death, seizure, Raynaud’s phenomenon (reduced blood flow to fingertips and toes), priapism (prolonged and painful erections), manic symptoms, abuse, and drug dependence.
Less serious but more common side effects include stomach pain, headache, trouble sleeping, weight loss, and dry mouth. Due to the potential for adverse effects, monitoring of children's growth and blood cell counts may be considered with long-term use.
A thorough review of all medications by a medical provider is necessary before starting the drug. Concerta has numerous drug interactions, particularly with:
Other stimulants
Medicines that treat or prevent seizures
The antipsychotic drug risperidone
Drugs that narrow blood vessels (vasopressors)
Because of the risk of serious complications, Concerta should not be taken with a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI). Doses must be separated by at least 14 days.
Avoid alcohol when taking Concerta.
No adverse effects of Concerta use during pregnancy or breastfeeding are known, but data from clinical trials is limited. A negative impact on fetal or infant growth or the cardiovascular system is possible and may require monitoring. Caution is advisable before use in these circumstances, so discuss the risks and benefits of treatment with the healthcare professional.
Concerta can be stopped without gradually reducing the dose, but get medical advice from the prescriber first. Some clinicians may choose to taper the dose if stimulant therapy is stopped completely.
Concerta is a federally controlled substance. Giving this medication to other people is dangerous and illegal.
How to take Concerta
Take Concerta as directed. Do not change the dose. Here are a few more tips:
Take Concerta tablets in the morning.
Take only one tablet each day, unless directed by the healthcare provider. An exception would be people taking 72 mg/day by taking two 36 mg tablets.
Swallow the tablet whole with water or other liquid. Do not crush, break, or chew it.
If swallowing tablets is difficult, talk to the prescriber about alternative methylphenidate dosage forms.
An empty tablet covering may pass into the stools. This is normal and nothing to worry about.
Store Concerta in a tightly closed container or reusable travel case at room temperature. Protect from humidity.
Concerta dosage FAQs
Ritalin (methylphenidate hydrochloride) vs. Concerta (extended-release methylphenidate): What’s the difference?
Concerta is an extended-release form of methylphenidate HCl. Doses are taken once per day in the morning, and the effects last for about 12 hours. Ritalin is an immediate-release form of methylphenidate that needs to be taken multiple times throughout the day. Ritalin LA, however, is the extended-release version of Ritalin. Only one dose is taken daily in the morning.
RELATED: Concerta vs. Ritalin
How long does it take Concerta to work?
Concerta can be effective with the first dose. Symptom improvement should be noticeable within one to two hours of taking a dose. However, it can take several weeks to find the most effective dosage.
How long does Concerta stay in your system?
The elimination half-life of a Concerta dose is about three and a half hours, so it takes about 18 hours for 97% of the drug to be eliminated from the body.
What happens if I miss a dose of Concerta?
Concerta is typically taken first thing in the morning. If a missed dose is remembered early enough on the same day, it can still be taken. Taking a dose too late in the day can make sleep difficult. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed dose.
How long can you take Concerta?
Concerta is a long-term treatment that can last for months or years. A pediatric healthcare provider will usually seek feedback from the patient and parents to determine if the drug is working adequately. Adult patients should work with the prescriber to determine if and when to switch medications or to stop stimulants altogether.
RELATED: Adult ADHD
How do I stop taking Concerta?
Concerta doses can normally be stopped without causing significant problems. If Concerta is taken every day or is being abused, withdrawal symptoms such as depression, fatigue, insomnia, or oversleeping may occur if stimulant treatment is discontinued abruptly. Before stopping, consult with the prescriber.
What is the maximum dosage for Concerta?
The maximum dosage of Concerta is 54 mg/day in children ages 6–12 and 2 mg/kg up to 72 mg daily in children 13 and older. Adult patients can take a maximum daily dose of 72 mg.
Can you overdose on Concerta?
An overdose of Concerta could be fatal due to its effects on the cardiovascular system. Get immediate medical attention or call the Poison Help line if an overdose is suspected or there are signs of an overdose, such as blood pressure changes, fast heart rate, palpitations, mental changes, or fever.
What is the dosage of Concerta for dogs/cats?
Veterinarians may use methylphenidate off-label in dogs to treat narcolepsy or to diagnose or treat hyperactivity, but it’s not entirely safe. Even small amounts of methylphenidate
can cause significant side effects in a pet. The recommended dosage of immediate-release methylphenidate for dogs is 5–10 mg or 0.25 mg/kg once daily for narcolepsy. Doses for hyperactivity are higher. The Concerta dosage strength may be too high, and the duration of action may be too long for use in dogsRELATED: Help! My pet ingested one of my pills
Sources:
Concerta methylphenidate extended-release tablet prescribing information
, NIH DailyMed (2024)Methylphenidate toxicosis in dogs: 128 cases (2001–2008
), Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association (2010)Plumb’s Veterinary Drug Handbook
, 7t ed (2011)Sleep disorders: differential diagnosis and treatment
, Vet Times (2015)
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