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Abuse, Misuse, and Addiction: CONCERTA has a high potential for abuse and misuse. The use of CONCERTA exposes individuals to the risks of abuse and misuse, which can lead to the development of a substance use disorder, including addiction. CONCERTA can be diverted for non-medical use into illicit channels or distribution [see Abuse under Drug Abuse and Dependence as follows]. Misuse and abuse of CNS stimulants, including CONCERTA, can result in overdose and death [see Overdosage], and this risk is increased with higher doses or unapproved methods of administration, such as snorting or injection.
Before prescribing CONCERTA, assess each patient's risk for abuse, misuse, and addiction. Educate patients and their families about these risks and proper disposal of any unused drug. Advise patients to store CONCERTA in a safe place, preferably locked, and instruct patients to not give CONCERTA to anyone else. Throughout CONCERTA treatment, reassess each patient's risk of abuse, misuse, and addiction and frequently monitor for signs and symptoms of abuse, misuse, and addiction.
Risks to Patients with Serious Cardiac Disease: Sudden death has been reported in patients with structural cardiac abnormalities or other serious cardiac disease who were treated with CNS stimulants at the recommended ADHD dosage.
Avoid CONCERTA use in patients with known structural cardiac abnormalities, cardiomyopathy, serious cardiac arrhythmia, coronary artery disease, or other serious cardiac disease.
Increased Blood Pressure and Heart Rate: CNS stimulants may cause an increase in blood pressure (mean increase approximately 2 to 4 mmHg) and heart rate (mean increase approximately 3 to 6 bpm). Some patients may have larger increases.
Monitor all CONCERTA-treated patients for hypertension and tachycardia.
Psychiatric Adverse Reactions: Exacerbation of Pre-existing Psychosis: CNS stimulants may exacerbate symptoms of behavior disturbance and thought disorder in patients with a pre-existing psychotic disorder.
Induction of a Manic Episode in Patients with Bipolar Disorder: CNS stimulants may induce a manic or mixed episode in patients. Prior to initiating CONCERTA treatment, screen patients for risk factors for developing a manic episode (e.g., comorbid or history of depressive symptoms or a family history of suicide, bipolar disorder, or depression).
New Psychotic or Manic Symptoms: CNS stimulants, at the recommended dosage, may cause psychotic or manic symptoms (e.g., hallucinations, delusional thinking, or mania) in patients without a prior history of psychotic illness or mania. In a pooled analysis of multiple short-term, placebo-controlled studies of CNS stimulants, psychotic or manic symptoms occurred in approximately 0.1% of CNS stimulant-treated patients, compared with 0% of placebo-treated patients. If such symptoms occur, consider discontinuing CONCERTA.
Seizures: There is some clinical evidence that stimulants may lower the convulsive threshold in patients with prior history of seizures, in patients with prior EEG abnormalities in absence of seizures, and, very rarely, in patients without a history of seizures and no prior EEG evidence of seizures. In the presence of seizures, the drug should be discontinued.
Priapism: Prolonged and painful erections, sometimes requiring surgical intervention, have been reported with methylphenidate use in both adult and pediatric male patients [see Postmarketing Experience under Adverse Reactions]. Although priapism was not reported with methylphenidate initiation, it developed after some time on methylphenidate, often subsequent to an increase in dosage. Priapism also occurred during methylphenidate withdrawal (drug holidays or during discontinuation).
CONCERTA-treated patients who develop abnormally sustained or frequent and painful erections should seek immediate medical attention.
Peripheral Vasculopathy, including Raynaud's Phenomenon: CNS stimulants, including CONCERTA, used to treat ADHD are associated with peripheral vasculopathy, including Raynaud's phenomenon. Signs and symptoms are usually intermittent and mild; however, sequelae have included digital ulceration and/or soft tissue breakdown. Effects of peripheral vasculopathy, including Raynaud's phenomenon, were observed in post-marketing reports and at the therapeutic dosages of CNS stimulants in all age groups throughout the course of treatment. Signs and symptoms generally improved after dosage reduction or discontinuation of the CNS stimulant.
Careful observation for digital changes is necessary during CONCERTA treatment. Further clinical evaluation (e.g., rheumatology referral) may be appropriate for CONCERTA-treated patients who develop signs or symptoms of peripheral vasculopathy.
Long-Term Suppression of Growth in Pediatric Patients: CNS stimulants have been associated with weight loss and slowing of growth rate in pediatric patients.
Careful follow-up of weight and height in children ages 7 to 10 years who were randomized to either methylphenidate or nonmedication treatment groups over 14 months, as well as in naturalistic subgroups of newly methylphenidate-treated and nonmedication-treated children over 36 months (to the ages of 10 to 13 years), suggests that pediatric patients who received methylphenidate for 7 days per week throughout the year had a temporary slowing in growth rate (on average, a total of about 2 cm less growth in height and 2.7 kg less growth in weight over 3 years), without evidence of growth rebound during this development period. Closely monitor growth (weight and height) in CONCERTA-treated pediatric patients. Pediatric patients who are not growing or gaining height or weight as expected may need to have their treatment interrupted.
Potential for Gastrointestinal Obstruction: Because the CONCERTA tablet is nondeformable and does not appreciably change in shape in the GI tract, CONCERTA should not ordinarily be administered to patients with preexisting severe gastrointestinal narrowing (pathologic or iatrogenic, for example: esophageal motility disorders, small bowel inflammatory disease, "short gut" syndrome due to adhesions or decreased transit time, past history of peritonitis, cystic fibrosis, chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction, or Meckel's diverticulum). There have been rare reports of obstructive symptoms in patients with known strictures in association with the ingestion of drugs in nondeformable controlled-release formulations. Due to the controlled-release design of the tablet, CONCERTA should be used only in patients who are able to swallow the tablet whole [see Patient Counselling Information].
Hematologic Monitoring: Periodic CBC, differential, and platelet counts are advised during prolonged therapy.
Acute Angle Closure Glaucoma: There have been rare reports of angle closure glaucoma associated with methylphenidate treatment.
Although the mechanism is not clear, CONCERTA-treated patients considered at risk for acute angle closure glaucoma (e.g., patients with significant hyperopia) should be evaluated by an ophthalmologist.
Increased Intraocular Pressure and Glaucoma: There have been reports of an elevation of intraocular pressure (IOP) associated with methylphenidate treatment [see Postmarketing Experience under Adverse Reactions].
Prescribe CONCERTA to patients with open-angle glaucoma or abnormally increased IOP only if the benefit of treatment is considered to outweigh the risk. Closely monitor CONCERTA-treated patients with a history of abnormally increased IOP or open angle glaucoma.
Motor and Verbal Tics, and Worsening of Tourette's Syndrome: CNS stimulants, including methylphenidate, have been associated with the onset or exacerbation of motor and verbal tics [see Other Adverse Reactions Observed in CONCERTA Clinical Trials and Postmarketing Experience under Adverse Reactions]. Worsening of Tourette's syndrome has also been reported.
Before initiating CONCERTA, assess the family history and clinically evaluate patients for tics or Tourette's syndrome. Regularly monitor CONCERTA-treated patients for the emergence or worsening of tics or Tourette's syndrome, and discontinue treatment if clinically appropriate.
Suicidal Tendency: Patients with emergent suicidal ideation or behavior during treatment for ADHD should be evaluated immediately by their physician. Consideration should be given to the exacerbation of an underlying psychiatric condition and to a possible causal role of methylphenidate treatment. Treatment of an underlying psychiatric condition may be necessary and consideration should be given to a possible discontinuation of methylphenidate.
Changing from one extended-release methylphenidate product to another: The efficacy and tolerability profile of CONCERTA over the dosing period is determined by the specific release profile of the product. Other extended-release methylphenidate formulations with different release profiles may have different efficacy and tolerability profiles. If changing from one extended-release methylphenidate product to another, it is recommended that this be carried out only with additional medical supervision.
Drug Abuse and Dependence: Controlled Substance: CONCERTA contains methylphenidate, a Part I Dangerous Drug.
Abuse: CONCERTA has a high potential for abuse and misuse which can lead to the development of a substance use disorder, including addiction [see Abuse, Misuse, and Addiction as previously mentioned]. CONCERTA can be diverted for non-medical use into illicit channels or distribution.
Abuse is the intentional non-therapeutic use of a drug, even once, to achieve a desired psychological or physiological effect. Misuse is the intentional use, for therapeutic purposes, of a drug by an individual in a way other than prescribed by a health care provider or for whom it was not prescribed. Drug addiction is a cluster of behavioral, cognitive, and physiological phenomena that may include a strong desire to take the drug, difficulties in controlling drug use (e.g., continuing drug use despite harmful consequences, giving a higher priority to drug use than other activities and obligations), and possible tolerance or physical dependence.
Misuse and abuse of methylphenidate may cause increased heart rate, respiratory rate, or blood pressure; sweating; dilated pupils; hyperactivity; restlessness; insomnia; decreased appetite; loss of coordination; tremors; flushed skin; vomiting; and/or abdominal pain. Anxiety, psychosis, hostility, aggression, and suicidal or homicidal ideation have also been observed with CNS stimulants abuse and/or misuse. Misuse and abuse of CNS stimulants, including CONCERTA, can result in overdose and death [see Overdosage], and this risk is increased with higher doses or unapproved methods of administration, such as snorting or injection.
In two placebo-controlled human abuse potential studies, single oral doses of CONCERTA were compared to single oral doses of immediate-release methylphenidate (IR MPH) and placebo in subjects with a history of recreational stimulant use to assess relative abuse potential. For the purpose of this assessment, the response for each of the subjective measures was defined as the maximum effect within the first 8 hours after dose administration.
In one study (n=40), both CONCERTA (108 mg) and 60 mg IR MPH compared to placebo produced statistically significantly greater responses on the five subjective measures suggestive of abuse potential. In comparisons between the two active treatments, however, CONCERTA (108 mg) produced variable responses on positive subjective measures that were either statistically indistinguishable from (Abuse Potential, Drug Liking, Amphetamine, and Morphine Benzedrine Group [Euphoria]) or statistically less than (Stimulation - Euphoria) responses produced by 60 mg IR MPH.
In another study (n=49), both doses of CONCERTA (54 mg and 108 mg) and both doses of IR MPH (50 mg and 90 mg) produced statistically significantly greater responses compared to placebo on the two primary scales used in the study (Drug Liking, Euphoria). When doses of CONCERTA (54 mg and 108 mg) were compared to IR MPH (50 mg and 90 mg), respectively, CONCERTA produced statistically significantly lower subjective responses on these two scales than IR MPH. CONCERTA (108 mg) produced responses that were statistically indistinguishable from the responses on these two scales produced by IR MPH (50 mg). Differences in subjective responses to the respective doses should be considered in the context that only 22% of the total amount of methylphenidate in CONCERTA tablets is available for immediate release from the drug overcoat [see System Components and Performance under Description].
Although these findings reveal a relatively lower response to CONCERTA on subjective measures suggestive of abuse potential compared to IR MPH at roughly equivalent total MPH doses, the relevance of these findings to the abuse potential of CONCERTA in the community is unknown.
Dependence: Physical Dependence: CONCERTA may produce physical dependence. Physical dependence is a state that develops as a result of physiological adaptation in response to repeated drug use, manifested by withdrawal signs and symptoms after abrupt discontinuation or a significant dose reduction of a drug.
Withdrawal signs and symptoms after abrupt discontinuation or dose reduction following prolonged use of CNS stimulants including CONCERTA include dysphoric mood; depression; fatigue; vivid, unpleasant dreams; insomnia or hypersomnia; increased appetite; and psychomotor retardation or agitation.
Tolerance: CONCERTA may produce tolerance. Tolerance is a physiological state characterized by a reduced response to a drug after repeated administration (i.e., a higher dose of a drug is required to produce the same effect that was once obtained at a lower dose).
Use in Children: CONCERTA should not be used in children under six years, since safety and efficacy in this age group have not been established. Long-term effects of methylphenidate in children have not been well established.
Use in the Elderly: CONCERTA has not been studied in patients greater than 65 years of age.
