Evekeo vs. Concerta

Evekeo (amphetamine sulfate tablets) and Concerta (methylphenidate extended release tablets) are central nervous system stimulants used to treat attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Evekeo is also used to treat a sleep disorder called narcolepsy, and may also be used as part of a short-term, weight reduction program to treat exogenous obesity.

Side effects of Evekeo and Concerta that are similar include headache, stomach ache or pain, trouble sleeping (insomnia), decreased appetite, nervousness, dizziness, vomiting, dry mouth, and weight loss.

Side effects of Evekeo that are different from Concerta include unpleasant taste in mouth, itching, diarrhea, constipation, mood swings, palpitations, fast heart rate, elevated blood pressure, overstimulation, restlessness, euphoria, problems with coordination, tremor, uneasiness, hives, impotence, changes in sex drive, frequent or prolonged erections, and muscle wasting (rhabdomyolysis).

Side effects of Concerta that are different from Evekeo include nausea, anxiety, irritability, vision problems, skin rash, numbness/tingling/cold feeling in the hands or feet, and sweating.

Both Evekeo and Concerta may interact with antidepressants including MAOIs, cold or allergy medicines that contain decongestants, blood pressure medications, blood thinners, and seizure medicines.

Evekeo may also interact with stomach acid medicines, anti-psychotic medicines, lithium, and narcotics.

Concerta may also interact with clonidine, dobutamine, epinephrine, isoproterenol, potassium citrate, sodium acetate, sodium bicarbonate, citric acid and potassium citrate, sodium citrate and citric acid, stimulants, and diet pills.

Withdrawal symptoms may occur if you suddenly stop taking Evekeo or Concerta.

Common side effects of Evekeo include:

• headache,
• stomach ache,
• trouble sleeping (insomnia),
• decreased appetite,
• unpleasant taste in mouth,
• nervousness,
• dizziness,
• sexual problems (impotence in males),
• vomiting,
• itching,
• diarrhea,
• constipation,
• dry mouth,
• weight loss,
• mood swings,
• palpitations,
• fast heart rate,
• elevated blood pressure,
• overstimulation,
• restlessness,
• euphoria,
• problems with coordination,
• tremor,
• uneasiness,
• loss of appetite,
• hives,
• impotence,
• changes in sex drive,
• frequent or prolonged erections, and
• muscle wasting (rhabdomyolysis).

Common side effects of Concerta include:

• stomach pain,
• loss of appetite,
• headache,
• dry mouth,
• nausea,
• vomiting,
• sleep problems (insomnia),
• anxiety,
• dizziness,
• weight loss,
• irritability,
• vision problems,
• skin rash,
• nervousness,
• numbness/tingling/cold feeling in the hands or feet, and
• sweating.

Evekeo (amphetamine sulfate tablets) is a central nervous system stimulant used to treat a sleep disorder called narcolepsy, and to help increase attention and decrease impulsiveness and hyperactivity in patients with ADHD. Evekeo should be used as part of a total treatment program for ADHD that may include counseling or other therapies. Evekeo may also be used as part of a short-term, weight reduction program to treat exogenous obesity.

Concerta is a central nervous system stimulant prescription medicine. It is used for the treatment of attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Concerta may help increase attention and decrease impulsiveness and hyperactivity in patients with ADHD.

Concerta should be used as a part of a total treatment program for ADHD that may include counseling or other therapies.

Concerta is a federally controlled substance (CII) because it can be abused or lead to dependence. Keep Concerta in a safe place to prevent misuse and abuse. Selling or giving away Concerta may harm others, and is against the law.

Tell your doctor if you or your child has (or has a family history of) ever abused or been dependent on alcohol, prescription medicines, or street drugs.

Evekeo may interact with stomach acid medicines, antidepressants including MAOIs, anti-psychotic medicines, lithium, cold or allergy medicines that contain decongestants, blood pressure medicines, narcotics, seizure medicines, or blood thinner medicines. Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you or your child use.

Tell your doctor if you or your child is pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding.

Tell your doctor about all of the medicines that you or your child takes including prescription and nonprescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Concerta and some medicines may interact with each other and cause serious side effects. Sometimes the doses of other medicines will need to be adjusted while taking Concerta.

Your doctor will decide whether Concerta can be taken with other medicines.

Especially tell your doctor if you or your child takes:

• antidepression medicines including MAOIs
• seizure medicines
• blood thinner medicines
• blood pressure medicines
• cold or allergy medicines that contain decongestants

Know the medicines that you or your child takes. Keep a list of your medicines with you to show your doctor and pharmacist.

Do not start any new medicine while taking Concerta without talking to your doctor first.

The usual dose of Evekeo to treat narcolepsy is 5 to 60 mg per day in divided doses. The usual starting dose of Evekeo to treat ADHD in children from 3 to 5 years of age is 2.5 mg daily; in children 6 years of age or older, start with 5 mg once or twice daily. The usual dose of Evekeo to treat exogenous obesity is up to 30 mg daily, taken in divided doses of 5 to 10 mg, 30 to 60 minutes before meals.

Take Concerta exactly as prescribed. Your doctor may adjust the dose until it is right for you or your child.

Do not chew, crush, or divide the tablets.

Swallow Concerta tablets whole with water or other liquids. Tell your doctor if you or your child cannot swallow Concerta whole. A different medicine may need to be prescribed.

Concerta can be taken with or without food.

Take Concerta once each day in the morning. Concerta is an extended-release tablet. It releases medication into your or your child's body throughout the day.

The Concerta tablet does not dissolve completely in the body after all the medicine has been released. You or your child may sometimes notice the empty tablet in a bowel movement. This is normal.

From time to time, your doctor may stop Concerta treatment for a while to check ADHD symptoms.

Your doctor may do regular checks of the blood, heart, and blood pressure while taking Concerta. Children should have their height and weight checked often while taking Concerta. Concerta treatment may be topped if a problem is found during these check-ups.

If you or your child takes too much Concerta or verdoses, call your doctor or poison control center right away, or get emergency treatment.