Concerta is a reasonably common drug used by a wide assortment of people for a variety of reasons. Many might ask the question, “How long does Concerta stay in your system?”. The easiest way to answer this is that Concerta has a half-life of approximately 3.5 hours. However, the body metabolizes the drug within 48 to 96 hours. In general, Concerta does not stay in the system for too long, but many factors can change the amount of time it is present.
Testing for Concerta
The amount of time Concerta lingers in a person’s body can vary depending on which test is taken.
- Urine: With a urine test, Concerta stay in a person’s body for about 48 to 96 hours after being taken.
- Hair: Detecting drugs can last for a longer time with a hair follicle sample. In general, Concerta can be found with this kind of sample within 90 days after being used.
- Blood: Concerta can be detected in the blood for up to four days after being taken.
- Saliva: Saliva tests are not generally done with Concerta.
| Test | Saliva | Blood | Urine | Hair |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Time | N/A | 4 days | 48-96 days | 90 days |
Factors that increase or decrease the time spent in a person’s system
The amount of time Concerta remains in a person’s system can vary a bit depending on a few things. The following items can factor into how long the drug stays in a person’s system.
- Age: Age can often be a factor in the length that Concerta remains present. The older a person is, the more likely they will have Concerta linger for longer.
- Metabolism: Older people tend to take longer to metabolize things, which might mean that Concerta is present for a more extended period in the body.
- Overall health and genetics: if someone is not in a generally healthy condition, the drug may linger for longer. One of the key features here is having healthy organ functions. Genetics can also play a part in how long that Concerta stays in your system.
Why do people take Concerta?
Concerta is given to patients who are diagnosed with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder or ADHD. These patients are often children who need the drug to temper their behavior. The drug can balance the neurotransmitters usually found in the brain. This means that Concerta is a stimulant on the central nervous system. For those on Concerta, organizational skills, attention, and focus can be increased. Concerta is very similar to Ritalin but needs to be taken once per day for a full 12 hour working effect. Finally, Concerta can be used to treat sleep disorders like narcolepsy.
There are several side effects to taking Concerta. These include loss of appetite, hard time falling asleep, nausea, and weight loss. If the side effects are serious, they might consist of problems with blood flow, unusual wounds, an irregular heartbeat, and mood swings. The drug can be highly addictive, and its usage should be heavily monitored, mainly if used by younger people.
Another important measure is not to stop taking Concerta abruptly. This is because it will induce withdrawal symptoms, so be sure to consult a doctor if this is a consideration.
If you or someone else you know is taking Concerta, make sure to consider all of the above information. The period that Concerta stays in a person’s system will vary but should be used carefully.
