FDA OKs Concerta for attention deficit in adults

CHICAGO (Reuters) - Johnson & Johnson said on Friday U.S. health regulators approved Concerta to treat adults with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the drug, generically known as methylphenidate, for adults aged 18 to 65 in doses of 18 to 72 mg daily.

ADHD is the most common emotional, cognitive and behavioral disorder treated in children and, according to the National Institute of Mental Health, between 30 and 70 percent of children with ADHD continue to exhibit symptoms as adults.

ADHD is thought to affect about 8 million, or one in 20, adults in the United States.

(Reporting by Debra Sherman; Editing by Andre Grenon)