Concerta and water

[Brenda]

I read on another web site that concerta doesn't work unless you drink 8 oz of water with it.Anyone heard of this?Stephanie always just drinks enough water to get it down.Maybe that's why it's not working good sometimes.

[Dad2Brooke]

I've never heard or read that. So I went looking on the web.

From their package insert:

How should I take CONCERTA®?
Do not chew, crush, or divide the tablets. Swallow
CONCERTA® tablets whole with the help of water or
other liquids, such as milk or juice.

Which I found here:
Package Insert

on their website here:
Concerta.net

My best guess is that because all medicines affect people differently, taking it with an 8oz glass of water has helped someone. I certainly don't see where it could hurt. Try it and let us know if you see any improvements.

[Linda]

Paul takes it with a full glass of water.

[finnmom]

Totally new thing for me, my ds take´s it with juice, usually he drink´s a class of juice during breckfast... That´ll be interesting to know... Mayby you could do a resurch for us

Marja

[AnneM]

Sam takes his with milk and occasionally he even takes it with a coca cola or sometimes an apple juice .... other times water .... it seems to work just the same whatever he takes it with .... !

[Brenda]

this is the site i read it on. www.johnswank.com/stimulant_medications_for_adhd.htm

[Dad2Brooke]

Don't know. Maybe the water helps. Funny it isn't mentioned on Concerta's web site.

Wouldn't be the first time the parents figured something out that the makers of the meds didn't know/disclose.

Interesting thing on the website you posted.

Hints for taking Stimulant Medications

Stimulants (all of the above) should not be taken within one hour of citric acid products. Orange Juice is the obvious thing to avoid. But anything wrapped in foil (pop tarts) may have citric acid as a preservitive. So check labels, and you help your medication be more effective.

Says to avoid citric acid and mentions orange juice. Yet the Concerta website (quoted earlier) says you can take it with juice. Not sure about the rest of you, but when I think of juice, the first one that comes to mind is OJ. If it is a problem, you'd think they would let us know, right?

[stew4me]

Unless OJ is more acidic than other juices. I would think maybe the extra water is to make sure it has enough liquid in the body to dissolve. Because i have seen 'drink with a full glass of water' on other meds as well.

[Amsmom]

When my ds was on stimulants, his psychiatrist said not to take it with citric juices, as it decreased the effectiveness of the med, for unknown reasons.

[jdmom]

I have heard the same thing about the OJ. But the pop tart thing worries me. Jarrett has pop tarts for breakfast about 2 days a week. It kinda sounds ridiculous, but still makes you wonder.
Jarrett always takes his meds with milk. Usually chocolate milk.

[StrugglingAgain]

PLEASE don't suggest that pop tarts could be a problems with the meds!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! My son is addicted to them. He has them for breakfast, snack, and he'd have them for dinner if he could. Now wouldn't that be something if it was hindering their effectiveness? He's one who has a definite craving for sugar, other than carbs!

[savvymom1]

I just read an article on medications in March Family Circle magazine. One of the tips they gave was to take meds with a full glass of water. Probably a good idea to help it dissolve. Take care.

[1mom]

i've read (and heard expert's at seminars) say not to take meds with orange juice, grapefruit, tomato or any other highly acidic drinks/food. the acids can interfere with meds/cause integration problems.
as for poptarts--turbo loves them too. because i limit his dye intake, he sticks with the apple/cinnamon flavor. some of those wild-berry-kiwi-poptarts are way too full of dye for his system.
prayers,
1mom