10 Facts About ADHD Treatment Medication That Will Instantly Put You In A Good Mood
ADHD Treatment Medication Stimulants, the most commonly prescribed treatment for ADHD seem to regulate brain chemicals and increase their levels. However, they do not solve the problem and will only help with symptoms as long as they are taken regularly. The adverse effects of ADHD medication can include changes in blood pressure and heart rate, anxiety, and tics. Certain teenagers and children who are taking stimulant drugs notice a slight reduction in their growth rate. Methylphenidate Methylphenidate is a stimulant for the central nervous system and is the most widely prescribed drug to treat ADHD. It is available in various forms, including a liquid chewable tablet and an oral disintegrating tablet that acts long and has an extended release. The drug increases levels of norepinephrine and dopamine in the brain. This improves concentration. It can also help to reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression. Methylphenidate is an effective treatment for ADHD in conjunction with other treatments, including behavioural therapy. Methylphenidate blocks the transporters that eliminate these neurotransmitters naturally from the brain. The medication can cause a slight increase in blood pressure and heart rate. People with diabetes should also be aware of this medication because it can cause a rapid rise in blood sugar. Consult your physician if you have any of these symptoms. Methylphenidate can also trigger Raynaud's phenomenon which causes numbness in the feet and fingers. This is a rare, but serious side effect. It is essential to notify your doctor in the event that these symptoms develop. There is some concern that methylphenidate slows children's growth, but it hasn't been proved to be the situation. If add medication adult have a child being treated with methylphenidate, be sure to monitor the child's height and weight closely. If your child is taking chewable tablets of methylphenidate that contains phenylalanine which can be dangerous for children with the genetic disorder phenylketonuria (PKU). Consult your physician about a different methylphenidate formula when you suffer from PKU. Stimulants are considered the first-choice treatment for ADHD however, certain people are not able to use these medications. In these cases doctors might prescribe other drugs that function similarly. Apart from methylphenidate there are other stimulants, such as dexamfetamine and lisdexamfetamine. These drugs can last longer and are more potent than methylphenidate. They are usually taken twice or three times daily however some individuals might be able to take them more often. There are also psychological treatments for ADHD, but these are less effective than stimulants. Atomoxetine Atomoxetine is also called Strattera and is a nonstimulant ADHD drug that increases concentration while decreasing hyperactivity and impulsiveness. It's part of a class of medications called selective norepinephrine receptor inhibitors. It works by boosting levels of dopamine and norepinephrine, two chemical messengers that control the brain's activity. It is popular among children and adults who want an alternative to stimulants such as Adderall or Vyvanse. It is important to realize that atomoxetine isn't a drug that works instantly. It may take up to six weeks before the effects of this drug become apparent. There is also the possibility of experiencing adverse effects like drowsiness and nausea. However the benefits of atomoxetine outweigh the risks for most patients. The efficacy of atomoxetine was confirmed in a multisite double-blind placebo-controlled study involving 297 ADHD patients between the ages of 12 and 18. Participants were randomly assigned to receive atomoxetine at a daily dose of 0.6 mg per kilogram or 1.2 mg/kg or a placebo over 9 weeks. In both atomoxetine as well as placebo groups, symptoms of depression were reduced. The atomoxetine group experienced more improvements in ADHD symptoms than the placebo group. However, the improvement was modest (Michelson and co. 2001). In a second open trial in a second open trial, 10 ADHD patients who were not responding to stimulants received an atomoxetine treatment over 8 weeks. The group receiving atomoxetine had improved ADHD symptoms compared to placebo group with scores on the Conners Adult ADHD Rating Scale Investigator Rated Screening version as well as the Clinical Global Impressions of Severity scale improving significantly. However, one patient experienced an allergic reaction and was removed from the study. Additionally, three patients reported transient gastrointestinal disturbances and one experienced increased fatigue (Kratochvil and co., 2005). Before you begin treatment with atomoxetine, talk to your doctor about your health history as well as any other supplements or medications that you are taking. This includes herbal remedies as well as over the counter medications. It is particularly important to inform your doctor if you have narrow-angle glaucoma, thyroid tumor or adrenal gland tumor and high blood pressure heart disease or a history of sudden death. You should also be wary of atomoxetine in the event that you have taken an MAO inhibitor like isocarboxazid, linezolid or methylene blue injection rasagiline, phenelzine or tranylcypromine within the last 14 days. Bupropion Bupropion is a nonstimulant that can improve the symptoms of ADHD. It can also decrease impulsivity, and increase concentration. However it doesn't affect the brain the way stimulants do. It's only available with a prescription. Your doctor will decide on the most effective dosage for you. Bupropion is available in capsules and tablets. It's important to take the medication exactly as instructed. You may experience withdrawal symptoms when you stop abruptly. The usual dosage is two or three doses daily separated by 4 to 6 hours. The dosage can range from 100 mg two or three times daily up to 150 mg three or four times daily. The drug is in the digestive system and excreted into urine. It cannot enter breast milk. However, it could enter the bloodstream and cause damage to other organs. Bupropion can raise blood pressure, so it's important to check it often. In addition to reducing the symptoms of ADHD Bupropion can also reduce depression. It can also treat bipolar disorder. It is accomplished by blocking dopamine receptors within your brain. This blocks the neurotransmitter dopamine, from reaching your brain. This helps stabilize your mood. Bupropion can interact with other drugs So it's crucial to inform your doctor about any other medications you're taking. It's essential to let your doctor know if are suffering from any allergies. Avoid caffeine and other stimulants because they can make the side effects worse. In several studies in a variety of studies, bupropion was compared with placebos for adults with ADHD. These studies yielded mixed results and were poorly designed. Moreover, many of them excluded participants with psychiatric comorbidity. The data indicate that bupropion can have an impact on ADHD. However, more research is needed to identify positive outcomes for patients like improvements in quality of life. Furthermore, a better understanding of the molecular subtypes of ADHD is required before effective treatment can be developed. This includes a better understanding of the relation between the different molecular pathways. It is also crucial to know how anti-ADHD drugs work in conjunction with psychotherapy. Tricyclic antidepressants When the stimulants prescribed for children suffering from ADHD don't work or cause troublesome side effects, doctors might look to antidepressants for treatment. These medications, like imipramine and Nortriptyline, (Aventyl and Pamelor) are able to increase the neurotransmitters dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain, which aids in helping people focus. These older drugs may cause serious adverse consequences. They are usually only employed when other drugs are not working. The first option of antidepressants for depression is typically a selective serotonin receptor inhibitor (SSRI) like fluoxetine, sertraline, citalopram, or escitalopram. Tricyclic antidepressants are still being used in certain cases despite their long-standing history. They are also effective in treating neuropathic pain and have a second pain-relieving action which is distinct from their antidepressant activity. They enhance the noradrenephrine receptor, by preventing its reuptake. They also act as descending moderators for pain pathways in the spinal cord. SSRIs have less risk of toxicity, and less serious side effects than tricyclic antidepressants. In addition, they're safer in pregnancy and aren't teratogenic in animals or humans. If they are abruptly stopped, they could cause severe withdrawal symptoms. To lessen the negative side effects, your doctor might suggest reducing the dosage gradually over a period of several weeks. Bupropion, an antidepressant commonly that is used off-label to treat ADHD but isn't FDA approved as an adhd drug. It's believed to increase the neurotransmitters norepinephrine and dopamine and acetylcholine in the brain, which improves concentration. It is also believed to alleviate anxiety and stress. It can be paired with stimulants to achieve quicker and lasting results. There are no FDA-approved non-stimulant ADHD medication, however many people find relief from dietary supplements and herbal remedies. A diet that is low in sugar and fat may also aid in reducing ADHD symptoms. Some people might benefit from abstaining from caffeine. It is important to inform your doctor about all the medications that you or your child uses, including prescription drugs and herbal remedies. This will help prevent interactions and reduce unwanted adverse effects. ADHD medication can affect each person differently, and it's often a process of trial and error to find the right dosage and drug for your child or yourself.