Concerta and Nausea: What Users Say

• Can...
• September 14, 2019

For ADHD "Concerta is by far better than other ADHD meds, such as Adderall, in my experience. It is milder and much better at helping where it needs to and doesn't make me feel sick like Adderall did. I recommend this for all of you who have anxiety. Adderall made my anxiety worse on it. Concerta helped me feel less anxious because I have ADD and anxiety, this helped so much."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 23, 2022

For ADHD "Concerta may work for some people, but it actually screws up. (I’m a minor and can’t make myself talk to my parents - partially because of the drug). Although it has proven to “work” for me, this stupid drug makes me feel like a walking corpse. I feel usually numb throughout the day and have an emotional crash at home. I can never think of anything to say, I trail off in the middle of answering things. I have no appetite to the point at which the thought of food makes me feel nauseous. I randomly get extremely nervous, my insomnia has gotten worse, I have really shaky muscles, I have tics, I have increased symptoms of severe depression and social anxiety. When it wears off, I feel awful and mean, and if I skip a single day, then I feel really sick. I don’t recommend this drug."

• pas...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 19, 2015

For ADHD "I was diagnosed with ADHD when I was 7. And started taking Focalin soon after. I was very impulsive and couldn't focus. When I was 11, I started Adderall, which would keep me up at night. And I was dependent on it. Last year (13 years old), I was on 31 mg of Concerta. The first day I took it, I was lightheaded and nauseous. I am almost 14, and I take 27 mg of Concerta. It has helped immensely with social situations. I am now a 'cool' kid. I still struggle with school and am not very hungry. But overall, I think Concerta is a good fit for me. On an average day, I eat a small breakfast of toast and a fruit or vegetable, skip lunch (not ever hungry), and eat a light dinner. On the weekends, I don't take it, and I have the munchies all day."

• Hom...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 9, 2015

For ADHD "At the age of 10, my son's ADHD was needing medical help. He was put on Concerta 18 mg and was a little unwell for two weeks, with a sick stomach, lack of appetite, and slightly listless. Made sure he ate breakfast before taking his tablet. He did look a little thin after about 1 year. We persevered with Concerta and life quickly improved until almost all ADHD problems had disappeared. Did not increase the initial drug dose. But after 18 months, he was becoming quiet and withdrawn. Decided to stop Concerta. Mild withdrawal symptoms for a week or so. We have never looked back. He is now 14, not on any medications and is a tall, healthy teenager. Wow, recommend this tablet. He may need it again someday."

• Squ...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 17, 2014

For ADHD "This is a great medicine. The first 2 days, I felt ill on it, nausea mainly, and I find sleeping incredibly difficult, but don't mind so much as I don't feel bad for it the next day. It's also making me dream a lot, but overall I feel great and have much more of a willpower to do everything. I started on 18 mg, and on Friday I go up to 36 mg to see how they go."

• Dwa...
• October 11, 2016

For ADHD "Was on Concerta XL for 7 days and had to come off it due to the unbearable side effects of the drug. I was diagnosed with ADHD (inattentive subtype), generalized anxiety, and depression. This drug made me feel very nauseous, gave me a headache, made me shake, gave me twitches throughout my body, messed my brain up in terms of cognition, etc., made me very aware of my heartbeat, made me extremely anxious to the point of not being able to leave my room or communicate with anyone and just generally messed me up. At one point, I was doing some stretching on a yoga mat to try and calm myself down, and I felt so confused that I didn't know what to do with my legs. This drug wasn't for me and caused an unpleasant experience."

• Bru...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• March 17, 2015

For ADHD "I was diagnosed in my late 40s with ADD. Dr. put me on Strattera, which was fine except for the severe nausea in the morning, even taking it with breakfast. Just could not deal with that, so was switched to Concerta. Loved it. No side effects. Could be off of it on the weekends and go back on it on Mondays with no issues. Dosage was 36 mg. About 5 years of taking it and perfectly happy. Switched insurance company and continued with my medication, then as of the first of the year will no longer cover Concerta. They want me to try all the cheaper formularies. Now I am struggling with all the other options they have provided and no success. Doesn't make sense!"

• ap0...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 18, 2016

For ADHD "I'm 17 and have been taking 18 mg Concerta every day for a week and a half. This is the second medication I've tried after being diagnosed with ADHD (I was also diagnosed with major depression). First, I tried Adderall, and while it made me feel very alert and productive, I could not handle the severe depressed feelings from the comedown. So far, Concerta has made me feel productive and positive for about 3 hours, and then depression slowly creeps in and gets progressively worse for about 8 more hours. It's not as intense as the depression from Adderall (which even led to suicidal thoughts), but it lasts longer. I also become irritable, anxious, and tired. I've also lost weight because trying to eat makes me feel queasy."

• Anonymous
• November 21, 2015

For ADHD "Doctor started me on 27, took that for 3 weeks for severe ADHD, and it lost its effect, so I was put up to 54 mg and amazing changes. I get work done fast, and I am motivated. Only problem is the crash is pretty awful for me, I get really sick to the stomach and drowsy. For the sick stomach, I just use ginger, but drowsiness can't do anything."

• Hon...
• July 9, 2014

For ADHD "Took 18 mg Concerta for 5 days. On day two, I woke up and cleaned and tidied the whole house, my partner thought something was wrong with me! Then the side effects came... nausea, depression, anxiety. By the time I was coming down at around 3 pm, I had to stay at home, I was unable to drive my car or even just go out. My doc wanted to try me on 5 mg Ritalin 3x a day quick release, but I refused. After reading the reviews on here about dexamphetamine, I started them this morning. 5 mg 3x a day. Hopefully, this will be the one for me."

• Top...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 28, 2018

For ADHD "Concerta works very well in the first years. Gradually, I started showing many signs they have here, headache, flu-like symptoms, I cannot sleep, outburst of excitement, changes in personality, nausea, and skin rash and skin splitting. I am going to change to another product that does not have all these symptoms."

• Lau...
• August 21, 2015

For ADHD "I first started with 27 mg of Concerta. When it was giving me no effect, my doctor increased it to 54 mg. At first, I loved it. So great... motivation, energy, concentration, etc. But then I realized how bad my anxiety was getting and that my Prozac was no longer controlling my anxiety and depression. Concerta caused me to have very severe migraines, which caused nausea and dizziness. I would have a migraine in the morning, and the only thing that would take it away was the Concerta, and as soon as it wore off around 5-6 pm, there came the migraine again! I obviously couldn't take the Concerta or I'd be up all night. I am now switched to Vyvanse but haven't tried it yet. If Concerta did not cause migraines and anxiety, then I would really recommend it."

• jus...
• February 4, 2010

For ADHD "For me, who is about to be 40 years old, I found that I had a shorter fuse than normal, couldn't finish anything, no energy, no focus. Went in to talk with a doctor, and he tested me and found that I too was ADHD. I cannot tell you that I was shocked. He said it was bad enough to warrant 36 mg starting point. I started it on a Thursday, and by Sunday I had lost 6 lbs already. Not that I didn't like losing that much, but not the way it happened. I have been so nauseated. Now, days are not too bad, but I feel like I am crashing at night and also very nauseated at night still. I cannot take this anymore. I will actually go back to the way I was before I will keep up with this. For my son at 81 mg a day. It is absolutely FANTASTIC for him."

• mom...
• February 14, 2015

For ADHD "My 11 yo has been on Concerta for 2 months. The first few days, he did experience some nausea, although it went away. After the first week, I could tell a huge difference in his attitude. He suddenly had a sense of humor, engaged in conversation without being distracted, and was bringing home/completing homework with no trouble! His grades have immensely improved! I can tell a difference (not huge) on the weekend days he doesn't take it. Or if he didn't sleep well the night before, and when it begins to wear off in the evening, he tends to be a little grouchy. The only other downside I've noticed so far is that he has lost approximately 4 lbs/month, which is concerning if it continues. So far, happy with the results!"

• tru...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 20, 2021

For ADHD "18F. Mild side effects at the start (heart palpitations, nausea, reduced appetite), but slowly subsided. 18 mg felt like nothing, 27 mg boosted my physical alertness but did nothing for executive dysfunction, and 36 mg had really unpleasant side effects (anxiety, dizziness, jitters). Going to try an amphetamine-class drug next (probably Vyvanse), hopefully it'll be more effective."

• Ali...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 18, 2021

For ADHD "I am a 22-year-old female. I was recently diagnosed with ADHD after discussing my struggles with a counselor and was recommended to speak to my physician about getting a diagnosis. I have been on 18 mg for almost 2 weeks. I noticed a change right from the start. It feels like there is more time in the day, I am more productive, less procrastination, don't feel like staying in bed all day anymore due to being overwhelmed. I also feel more level-headed and haven't snapped at my family. However! I am getting side effects that make me wonder if it is worth it. Some of the side effects I have are nausea, headache, and overall just not feeling great. Kind of like something is 'off' with me. I also notice becoming more emotional in the evening as the medication leaves my system, but not unbearable. The weird thing is, I mostly feel side effects on slow days, and no side effects on days that I have a lot on my mind/lot's to do."

• Dxa...
• March 28, 2018

For ADHD "I was on Vyvanse, but since I was recently diagnosed with ADHD, I wanted to try other meds to see what's the most effective. I tried Concerta, and it was awful. It didn't do anything for concentration, made me feel nauseous, stomach aches, and some crazy anxiety. Went back on Vyvanse! At least now I know I don't react well to Methylphenidate meds."

• Mom...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 19, 2021

For ADHD "My son is 11. He was diagnosed with ADHD in 2nd grade. We put him on Vyvanse, and that had horrible side effects that scared me so badly I took him off and just was like the teachers can just deal with him. Now he’s in 6th grade. I’ve decided to try again. They started him out on Concerta ER 18 mg. It did nothing for him other than make him nauseous. It didn’t help or hurt him otherwise. Tomorrow he starts on Focalin XR 15 mg. Fingers crossed he traps the benefits with minimal negative effects."

• Col...
• August 8, 2021

For ADHD "I have been diagnosed with ADHD combined type this year at the grown age of 39. I always knew my brain was wired differently but managed to get through schooling, however, this pandemic worsened all of the symptoms I was experiencing. After months of therapy and doctor visits, I was started on Concerta (generic) 18 mg. I actually get things done around the house! I don't daydream all day, and I am not as angry as I used to be. I can read without forgetting, I can watch movies now without moving a thousand times or pulling my phone out, also, I can pay attention to audiobooks. The downside is the side effects. I burn through this in 6 hours max, I get a headache, dry mouth, increased heart rate, and bad nausea if not eaten with a meal. Also, be mindful of taking this with any other medication because it can exacerbate the side effects."

• Hpm...
• November 4, 2016

For ADHD "My 10-year-old was prescribed Concerta after having an allergic reaction to Adderall. Well, this was not much better. He was nauseous and dizzy, and his resting heart rate was 160. He only took 1 dose, and he will not be taking any more. Awful stuff."