Key takeaways

  • Concerta carries a boxed warning regarding the risk of misuse and addiction. Boxed warnings are serious warnings from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
  • Mild side effects of Concerta include dry mouth, headache, and nausea.
  • Serious side effects of Concerta include heart problems, high blood pressure, and mental health problems. However, these tend to be rare.

Concerta is a prescription drug used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in certain adults and children.

The drug comes as extended-release tablets that you swallow. “Extended release” means the drug is released in your body slowly over time after you’ve taken it.

The active ingredient in Concerta is methylphenidate. An active ingredient is what makes a drug work.

For more information about Concerta, including details about its uses, see this Concerta overview.

Like other drugs, Concerta can cause mild to serious side effects. Keep reading to learn more.

What are the more common side effects of Concerta?

Concerta can cause side effects. Some people may experience mild to serious side effects during their Concerta treatment.

Examples of Concerta’s more commonly reported side effects include:

To learn more about some of these side effects, see the “Side effects explained” section.

These are only a few of the drug’s common side effects. Keep reading to find out about other side effects Concerta can cause.

What are the mild side effects of Concerta?

Mild side effects can happen while taking Concerta. In most cases, these side effects should be temporary. And some may be easily managed.

Examples of mild side effects that have been reported with Concerta include:

To learn more about some of these side effects, see the “Side effects explained” section.

If you have any side effect symptoms that are ongoing or that bother you, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. And do not stop taking Concerta unless your doctor recommends it.

Concerta may cause mild side effects other than the ones listed here. See the drug’s prescribing information for details.

Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. Sharing your experience helps make medications safer for everyone by giving doctors and researchers more information about how the drug works in real life. If you develop a side effect while taking Concerta and want to tell the FDA about it, visit MedWatch or call 800-332-1088.

What are the serious side effects of Concerta?

Concerta can cause serious side effects, though they aren’t common. If you develop serious side effects while taking Concerta, call your doctor right away.

Serious side effects that have been reported with Concerta include:

Concerta has a boxed warning for risk of misuse (also referred to as abuse) and addiction. This is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). To learn more about this boxed warning, as well as allergic reaction, see the “Side effects explained” section.

If you develop serious side effects while taking Concerta, call your doctor right away. If the side effects seem life threatening or you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

Side effects in children

Concerta is used to treat ADHD in children ages 6 years and older.

The side effects children can experience from the drug are similar to those that adults experience. But in studies, more children developed upper abdominal pain than adults.

If your child develops bothersome abdominal pain while taking Concerta, talk with their doctor. The doctor can recommend ways to ease your child’s discomfort.

In addition, the drug can decrease growth in some children. In studies, reduced growth was reported in some children treated with the drug. But this side effect doesn’t happen to all children who take Concerta. During treatment, your child’s height and weight will be monitored by their doctor.

If you’re concerned about the effects of Concerta on your child’s growth, talk with their doctor. They can also give you more information about other side effects your child may have during Concerta treatment.

FAQ about Concerta’s side effects

Get answers to some frequently asked questions about Concerta’s side effects.

Does Concerta cause long-term side effects?

Yes, it’s possible for Concerta to cause certain long-term side effects, but these are rare.

For example, heart problems caused by Concerta may lead to a heart attack or stroke, which can affect a person’s health long term.

In addition, Concerta may affect a child’s growth. For more information, see the “Side effects in children” section.

If you have concerns about the long-term side effects Concerta might cause, talk with your doctor. They can tell you the symptoms of long-term side effects to watch for while taking the drug. Depending on your health history and other factors, they may monitor you more closely for certain side effects during treatment.

Can Concerta cause withdrawal symptoms if I stop taking the drug?

Yes, Concerta can cause withdrawal symptoms if you stop taking the drug.

Concerta may cause dependence. With dependence, your body gets used to a drug and needs it to function as usual. If you develop dependence on Concerta and suddenly stop taking it, you may have withdrawal symptoms. Examples of such symptoms include severe depression, fatigue, and sleep problems.

It’s recommended that you do not stop taking Concerta before talking with your doctor. They may slowly reduce your dosage to help prevent withdrawal symptoms.

If you have a history of alcohol or drug dependence, talk with your doctor before you start Concerta treatment. They’ll likely recommend a different medication for treating ADHD.

Do Concerta’s side effects vary depending on which strength I take (18 mg, 27 mg, 36 mg, or 54 mg)?

It’s possible that your side effects will vary depending on your dosage of Concerta and how your body responds to it.

Concerta comes in different strengths: 18 milligrams (mg), 27 mg, 36 mg, and 54 mg. Your doctor will prescribe the strength that’s safe and effective for your condition. They’ll likely prescribe you a lower dosage to start, slowly increasing it over time to a dosage that’s right for you.

Depending on the severity of any side effects you may have, your doctor may lower your dosage.

If you have questions about the risk of side effects with your Concerta dosage, talk with your doctor.

Is weight gain a side effect of Concerta?

No, weight gain isn’t a side effect of Concerta.

But Concerta can cause nausea and loss of appetite, which can lead to weight loss. In studies, decreased weight was a common side effect of the drug.

If you have questions about how Concerta affects weight, your doctor can discuss them with you.

Is a generic version of Concerta available? If so, what side effects does the generic drug cause?

Yes, a generic version of Concerta called methylphenidate is available. This is also the active ingredient in Concerta. An active ingredient is what makes a drug work.

A generic contains an exact copy of a brand-name drug’s active ingredient. Generics are considered to be as effective and safe as the brand-name version. Since methylphenidate and Concerta have the same active ingredient, both drugs are expected to have similar side effects.

To learn more about the generic version of Concerta, see this methylphenidate overview. Your doctor or pharmacist can also tell you more about methylphenidate.

Side effects in females

In studies, for the most part, there were few differences in side effects that males and females experienced while taking Concerta. The exceptions were priapism (painful, persistent erection) and erectile dysfunction (inability to have an erection).

Other than these conditions specific to males, the side effects of the drug are expected to be similar in both females and males. Your doctor can give you more information about the side effects of the drug.

Note: In this article, we use the terms “male” and “female” to refer to someone’s sex assigned at birth. For information about the difference between sex and gender, see this sex versus gender article.

Side effects explained

Learn more about some of the side effects Concerta may cause.

Risk of misuse and addiction

Concerta has a boxed warning for the risk of misuse (also referred to as abuse) and addiction. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the FDA. It alerts doctors and patients about drug effects that may be dangerous.

Misuse means to use a drug in a way other than how it’s prescribed. Examples include taking more than the recommended dosage and taking a medication prescribed to someone else. Misuse of Concerta may lead to addiction (taking a drug even if it’s causing harmful effects).

What might help

To help prevent misuse, you should take Concerta as prescribed by your doctor. You should also try to keep the drug in a safe, secure place that others can’t access.

If you have a history of alcohol or drug dependence, tell your doctor before starting treatment. They’ll likely recommend a different medication for treating ADHD.

Risk of dependence

Concerta may cause drug dependence. Dependence means that your body needs a drug to function as it usually would. If a person becomes dependent on Concerta, stopping Concerta treatment can cause withdrawal symptoms. (For more information about withdrawal symptoms with Concerta, see the “FAQ about Concerta’s side effects” section.)

Dependence on Concerta may lead to misuse of the drug. To learn more, see the “Risk of misuse and addiction” section.

What might help

Always take the amount of Concerta that your doctor prescribes.

If you have a history of alcohol or drug dependence, discuss this with your doctor before you start taking Concerta. They’ll likely recommend a different medication for treating ADHD.

If you have concerns about dependence while taking Concerta, talk with your doctor.

Headache

In studies of Concerta, headache was the most commonly reported side effect.

Headache pain can be dull, sharp, or throbbing. Pain may also occur in your eyes or neck. Some people who have headaches may have vision changes or sensitivity to light.

Increased blood pressure is another side effect of Concerta that can cause headache. If you also have nausea, dizziness, blurred vision, or shortness of breath with your headache, contact your doctor right away.

What might help

To help ease headache symptoms while taking Concerta, try applying a cold compress or ice pack to your forehead. A warm bath or shower may also lessen this side effect.

Over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers may be an option. Before using any OTC pain medications, talk with your doctor. They can recommend ones that are safe for you to take. They can also discuss other ways to manage your headaches while taking Concerta.

Nausea

Concerta often causes nausea. With nausea, you may feel like you need to vomit and have stomach discomfort. Vomiting is also a side effect of Concerta, but it didn’t occur as often as nausea in studies.

What might help

Taking Concerta with food can help prevent nausea. If you develop nausea while taking the drug, try drinking peppermint tea or beverages containing ginger to ease this side effect.

If your nausea doesn’t go away or is bothersome, talk with your doctor. They can recommend other ways to lessen your symptoms.

Abdominal pain

Concerta can cause abdominal pain. In studies, abdominal pain was a common side effect in children, usually occurring in the upper abdomen.

Abdominal pain can feel like cramps, be sharp or dull, and occur continuously or at intervals.

What might help

If you develop abdominal pain while taking Concerta, try using a heating pad or taking a warm bath to ease your discomfort. Drinking plenty of water and eating smaller meals may also help with this side effect.

Another tip is to avoid certain foods that may worsen your abdominal pain, such as processed, fatty, or spicy foods.

Your doctor may have more suggestions for easing abdominal pain caused by Concerta.

Constipation

In studies of Concerta, constipation was a commonly reported side effect.

With constipation, you may have bloating, swelling, or pain in your abdomen. You may strain to have a bowel movement, and your stools may be lumpy or hard.

What might help

If you develop constipation while taking Concerta, try adding more fiber-rich foods to your diet and drinking plenty of water. Your doctor may advise you to avoid processed foods and eat regular meals throughout the day.

If your constipation doesn’t go away or is bothersome, talk with your doctor about other ways to relieve your symptoms.

Allergic reaction

Like most drugs, Concerta can cause an allergic reaction in some people.

Symptoms can be mild to serious and can include:

  • skin rash
  • itchiness
  • flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)
  • swelling under your skin, usually in your eyelids, lips, hands, or feet
  • swelling of your mouth, tongue, or throat, which can make it hard to breathe

What might help

If you have mild symptoms of an allergic reaction, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may suggest a treatment to manage your symptoms. Examples include:

  • an antihistamine you take by mouth, such as Benadryl (diphenhydramine)
  • a product you apply to your skin, such as hydrocortisone cream

If your doctor confirms you’ve had a mild allergic reaction to Concerta, they’ll recommend whether you should continue using it.

If you have symptoms of a severe allergic reaction, such as swelling or difficulty breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms could be life threatening and require immediate medical care.

If your doctor confirms you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to Concerta, they may have you switch to a different treatment.

Warnings for Concerta

Concerta comes with several warnings, which may affect whether the drug is a good treatment for your condition.

Boxed warning: Risk of misuse (also referred to as abuse) and addiction

Concerta has a boxed warning for risk of misuse and addiction. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the FDA. It alerts doctors and patients about drug effects that may be dangerous.

For details, see the “Side effects explained” section.

Other warnings

Concerta may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions. These are known as drug-condition interactions. Other factors may also affect whether Concerta is a good treatment option for you.

Talk with your doctor about your health history before starting Concerta. Factors to consider include those listed here:

Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.