ADD and Concerta

[Jim Machor]

I'm seeking some information about the new drug for treating ADD and ADHD called Concerta.  Besides its advantage as a  long-delivering time release medication, I was wondering if anyone has any infomation about its effects on appetite.  Ritalin and its gerneic equivalents are, of course, well documented as appetite suppressants, which is one of the negative side effects in using Ritalin for growing children and teenagers.  I'm trying to find out if Concerta, with its extended rease time, is less disruptive of appetite.  Is there any medical reserch on this aspect of Concerta?  Does anyone who has administered this drug to his/her children have any experience with this side effect?

[Kevin Kennedy, Ph.D.]

Dear Mr. Machor,

The chemical methylphenidate, in any of its forms, can bring about suppression of appetite, though this varies greatly from child to child. And, ultimately, even if it does suppress appetite in some children, generally this does not pose risks to health and sound development. Children most vulnerable to deleterious impact of this side effect are children who are already slight in stature, at the very low end of the spectrum in height and weight, and who can ill afford less intake of nutrients.

Thus far, in this muti-specialty group practice, we have not witnessed any greater or lesser impact on appetite with Concerta than we normally see with generic methylphenidate or with Ritalin or Ritalin SR.

You might want to take a look at the current issue of Newsweek, which has a feature on Concerta.

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