Concerta XL (methylphenidate)

Side effects

Medicines and their possible side effects can affect individual people in different ways. The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this medicine. Because a side effect is stated here, it does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect.

- Nervousness.
- Difficulty in sleeping (insomnia).
- Decreased appetite.
- Headache.
- Drowsiness.
- Dizziness.
- Abdominal pain.
- Nausea and vomiting.
- Dry mouth.
- Increased heart rate.
- Awareness of your heartbeat (palpitations).
- Rise in blood pressure.
- Skin reactions such as rash or itching.
- Pain in the joints (arthralgia).
- Hair loss (alopecia).
- Weight loss or delayed growth with prolonged use.
- Abnormal involuntary movements (twitching or tics).
- Emotional highs and lows.
- Irritability.
- Depression.
- Disturbances in the composition of the blood.
- Liver problems.

The side effects listed above may not include all of the side effects reported by the drug's manufacturer. For more information about any other possible risks associated with this medicine, please read the information provided with the medicine or consult your doctor or pharmacist.

How can this medicine affect other medicines?

You should tell your doctor what medicines your child is already taking, before starting treatment with this medicine. This includes medicines bought without a prescription and herbal medicines. Likewise, once treatment has started you should always check with your doctor or pharmacist before giving any new medicines, to make sure the combination is safe.

If this medicine is taken within 14 days of taking a monoamine oxidase inhibitor antidepressant (MAOI, eg tranylcypramine, phenelzine, isocarboxazid) there may be a risk of a dangerous rise in blood pressure (hypertensive crisis). For this reason methylphenidate should not be taken by people who have taken an MAOI in the previous 14 days.

Check with your pharmacist before giving cough and cold remedies to children taking methylphenidate, as these types of medicines sometimes contain ingredients that may affect blood pressure, and could be unsuitable to use in combination with methylphenidate.

Methylphenidate may increase the blood levels of the following medicines:

- medicines to prevent blood clots (anticoagulants) eg warfarin
- antiepileptic medicines, eg phenytoin, primidone, phenobarbital
- phenylbutazone
- tricyclic antidepressants, eg imipramine
- SSRI antidepressants, eg fluoxetine.

Children taking any of these medicines may need to have their doses reduced by the doctor.

Other medicines containing the same active ingredient

Equasym

Medikinet

Ritalin

Methylphenidate tablets are also available without a brand name, ie as the generic medicine.

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