Concerta Dosages: Your GoodRx Guide
Key takeaways:
The typical Concerta (methylphenidate extended-release) dosage for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is 18 mg to 72 mg once daily in the morning. The maximum daily dosage is 72 mg per day for adults and children over age 12.
Depending on your age and other factors, your prescriber may start you at a Concerta dosage of 18 mg or 36 mg. They may increase your dose once a week as needed up to the maximum recommended dosage.
Transitioning from taking Ritalin (methylphenidate immediate-release) to Concerta is possible. And it may be desirable if you prefer once-daily dosing. Your new Concerta dosage will depend on your previous Ritalin dose.
Table of contents
Concerta (methylphenidate extended-release) is a first-choice medication for managing attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Whether you're starting Concerta for the first time, or transitioning from Ritalin (methylphenidate immediate-release), understanding your prescribed dosage is key to achieving the best results while lowering your risk of side effects.
Here we’ll discuss typical Concerta dosages, the maximum dosages for adults and children, and what to do if you’ve missed a dose.
What’s the typical Concerta dosage for adults?
You’ll typically take Concerta once a day in the morning. The recommended starting dosage is 18 mg or 36 mg daily. If your prescriber prefers to start somewhere in the middle, Concerta is also available in a 27 mg dose.
If your ADHD symptoms don’t feel well-managed, and you’re not having any major side effects, your prescriber may increase your dose on a weekly basis as needed. The maximum recommended Concerta dosage is 72 mg daily.
What’s the typical Concerta dosage for children?
Concerta is approved for children age 6 and older. Similar to adults, children typically take Concerta once daily in the morning. The recommended starting dosage is 18 mg daily.
Depending on how your child responds, their prescriber may increase their dosage as needed on a weekly basis. Children between the ages of 6 and 12 may take up to 54 mg per day. Children between 13 to 17 years of age may take up to 72 mg per day (but no more than 2 mg per kilogram of body weight per day).
Can you switch from Ritalin to Concerta?
If you’re taking Ritalin, it’s possible to transition to Concerta. You may find this beneficial if you prefer to take your ADHD medication once a day, since Ritalin is often taken 2 to 3 times a day.
When switching from Ritalin to Concerta, your Concerta dosage depends on your total daily dose of Ritalin.
Previous Ritalin dosage | New Concerta dosage |
5 mg 2-3 times daily | 18 mg every morning |
10 mg 2-3 times daily | 36 mg every morning |
15 mg 2-3 times daily | 54 mg every morning |
20 mg 2-3 times daily | 72 mg every morning |
When does Concerta require dosage adjustments?
If you’re having side effects with Concerta, you may need a lower dose. On the other hand, if it’s not working well enough to control your ADHD symptoms, you may need a higher dose.
If you have kidney or liver disease, make sure your prescriber knows before you start taking Concerta. They may want to monitor you more closely for Concerta side effects.
Concerta vs. Ritalin: Learn about the similarities and differences between these two forms of methylphenidate.
Side effects: Learn which side effects to watch out for while taking Concerta.
What medications interact with Concerta? Find out which methylphenidate interactions to watch for and why it’s wise to share an up-to-date list of medications with your healthcare team.
Medication alternatives for ADHD: Check out more than two dozen strategies for managing your ADHD symptoms.
Concerta can also interact with several medications, which may require an adjustment. For example, Concerta can increase levels of certain antidepressants called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs). So you may need a lower dose of these medications if you take Concerta.
Other antidepressants, called monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), should be avoided within 2 weeks of your last Concerta dose (or vice versa). This is because the combination of these medications can increase blood pressure to a dangerous level. Examples of MAOIs include isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), selegiline (Emsam, Zelapar).
Make sure your healthcare team knows all the medications you take before starting Concerta. Proving them with an updated medication list can help them review for drug interactions.
What happens if you miss a dose of Concerta?
If you forget to take a Concerta dose and remember later in the day, pay attention to what time it is before taking your missed dose. Concerta is designed to last 12 hours. Taking a dose too close to bedtime can make it harder to sleep.
If you’re within 12 hours of your typical bedtime, it may be worth skipping your Concerta dose and resuming your usual schedule the next day. If you’re unsure, you can ask your prescriber what they recommend.
What should you do if you take too much Concerta?
Taking too much Concerta can cause side effects such as increased heart rate and high blood pressure. More seriously, it can cause severe heart problems such as a heart attack. It can also cause brain-related risks, such as seizures, confusion, and hallucinations.
Concerta misuse, which includes taking too much Concerta on a regular basis, increases your risk of a stimulant overdose and stimulant use disorder. You can avoid these risks by taking Concerta — which is a controlled substance — exactly as prescribed. If you feel you need a higher dose to manage your ADHD symptoms, ask your prescriber whether adjusting your dose is safe. Don’t make any changes without talking to them first.
The bottom line
Concerta (methylphenidate extended-release) is a first-choice medication for managing attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The typical Concerta dosage for adults and children is between 18 mg to 72 mg once daily in the morning. The maximum Concerta dosage is 72 mg per day for both adults and children over 12 years old. For children between the ages of 6 to 12 years old, the maximum daily dosage is 54 mg. Concerta isn’t approved for children under age 6.
Transitioning from Ritalin (methylphenidate immediate-release) to Concerta is possible. And it may be beneficial since Concerta is only taken once a day, while Ritalin is taken two to three times a day. To maximize safety, always take Concerta exactly as prescribed. If you miss a dose but it’s within 12 hours of your bedtime, consider skipping your Concerta dose that day to avoid trouble sleeping at night. But check with your prescriber for more tailored guidance.
Why trust our experts?
References
Bryant Ranch Prepack. (2024). Methylphenidate hydrochloride tablet [package insert].
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022). Stimulant guide: Answers to emerging questions about stimulants in the context of the overdose epidemic in the United States.
Janssen Pharmaceuticals. (2023). Concerta- methylphenidate hydrochloride tablet, extended release [package insert].
Was this page helpful?
Compare other adhd drugs
Related Articles
Browse medications
View AllResearch prescriptions and over-the-counter medications from A to Z, compare drug prices, and start saving.