DEPARTMENT OF JUVENILE JUSTICE AND DELINQUENCY PREVENTION PARENT AND/OR GUARDIAN INFORMATION ON CONCERTA What is Concerta? Concerta (generic name methylphenidate HCl) is a medicine developed for the treatment of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in patients 6 years old and older. Concerta is the first extended-release formulation of methylphenidate for ADHD. How Can This Medicine Help? Concerta can increase mental alertness, improve attention span, decrease distractibility, increase ability to finish tasks, improve ability to follow directions, decrease hyperactivity, and improve ability to think before acting (decrease impulsivity). Handwriting and completion of schoolwork and homework can improve. Fighting and stubbornness may decrease in children with ADHD. Children with ADHD may need not only medicine but also special help in school and behavior modification at home and at school. Some children and families also benefit from family or group therapy. If Concerta does not help, or causes problematic side effects, your child’s doctor may suggest other medicines. You may contact one of the youth development center’s nurses or psychologists if you think this medication does not help, or causes side effects that are a problem. A nurse or psychologist will then tell your child’s doctor about your concerns. How Should Concerta Be Taken? Concerta should be taken in the morning, with or without breakfast. Concerta tablets must be swallowed whole with the aid of liquid such as water, milk, or juice. Concerta must NOT be chewed, divided, or crushed. How Long Does This Medicine Last? The effects of Concerta usually last from morning into the early evening hours. The medication is then released gradually, improving attention and behavior so a child can stay focused throughout the day. How Will the Doctor Monitor This Medicine? The doctor will review your child’s medical history and physical examination findings before starting Concerta. The nurse will check height, weight, pulse and blood pressure before beginning medicine administration and occasionally thereafter. After the medicine is started, the doctor will want to have regular appointments with your child, to monitor progress, to adjust the dose, to watch for side effects, and to evaluate whether other treatments are needed. YC/M 105 Form structure last revised June 2004 Department of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Page 1 of 3 PARENT AND/OR GUARDIAN INFORMATION ON CONCERTA What Side Effects Can This Medicine Have? Any medication can have side effects, including allergy to the medication. A skin rash, hives, swelling, or trouble breathing may be an allergy. Because each patient is different, the doctor will monitor your child closely, especially when the medicine is started. The doctor will work with your child to increase the positive effects and decrease the negative effects of the medicine. You may contact one of the youth development center’s nurses or psychologists if you suspect the medicine is causing a problem for your child. (Not all of the rare or unusual side effects are listed.) Common side effects • Headache • Upper respiratory tract infection • Stomach ache • Vomiting • Decreased appetite • Sleeplessness • Increased cough • Sore throat • Sinusitis • Dizziness Less commons side effects • Rebound (as the medicine is wearing off, hyperactivity or bad mood may intensify more than before the medicine was taken; the doctor can make adjustments to help this problem) • Slowing of growth (this is why the height and weight are checked regularly; growth usually catches up if the medicine is stopped or the dose is decreased) • Nervous habits (such as picking at skin) or stuttering Serious side effects • Motor or vocal (fast, repeated movements or sounds) or muscle twitches (jerking movements) of parts of the body • Sadness that lasts more than a few days • Auditory, visual, or tactile hallucinations (hearing, seeing, or feeling things that are not there) • Any behavior which is very unusual for your child What Could Happen if This Medicine Is Stopped Suddenly? A few children may experience irritability, trouble sleeping, or increased hyperactivity for a day or two if they have been taking medicine every day for a long time, especially at high doses. YC/M 105 Form structure last revised June 2004 Department of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Page 2 of 3 PARENT AND/OR GUARDIAN INFORMATION ON CONCERTA How Long Will This Medicine Be Needed? There is no way to know how long a person will need to take this medicine. The doctor, nurses and your child’s psychologist will work together to find out what is right for your child. Sometimes the medicine is needed for only a few years, but some people may need help from medicine even as adults. What Else Should I Know About This Medicine? Many people have incorrect information about Concerta. If you hear anything that worries you, please check with a youth development center nurse. What Precautions Should I Take if My Child Takes This Medicine When He/She Returns Home? Your child may be released from the youth development center on this medication. If the medicine seems to stop working, it may be because it is not being given regularly, because your child has gained weight and needs a higher dose, or because something at school or at home, or in the neighborhood, is upsetting your child. Please discuss your concerns with your child’s doctor. In the unlikely event your child has an allergic reaction to this drug, seek immediate medical attention for him or her. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include rash, itching, swelling, dizziness or trouble breathing. After your child returns home tell your child’s doctor of all over-the-counter and prescription drugs your child may use, especially anticoagulants, (e.g., warfarin), MAO inhibitors (e.g., Nardil, Parnate, or Marplan). It is not a good idea to combine Concerta with nasal decongestants (such as pseudoephedrine) because rapid pulse rate or high blood pressure may develop. If a stuffy nose is really troublesome, it is better to use a nasal spray. Also, many children with ADHD become cranky or more hyperactive on antihistamines (like Benadryl). If medicine for allergies is needed, ask your child’s doctor for advice. Please fill out the information below, sign, date and return all pages of this form to the nursing clinic at the youth development center. I________________________________(relation to patient):_______________________ (Parent and/or Guardian) hereby give permission for the use of this medication with ________________________ (Name of Your Child) Signature ____________________________ Date _______________________________ A NURSE WILL RETURN A SIGNED COPY OF THIS FORM TO YOU. YC/M 105 Form structure last revised June 2004 Department of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Page 3 of 3