10 Facts About ADHD Treatment Medication That Can Instantly Put You In A Good Mood
ADHD Treatment Medication Stimulants are the most commonly prescribed drugs for ADHD, and appear to increase and regulate levels of brain chemicals. They are not able to solve the problem and can only treat symptoms if used regularly. The adverse effects of ADHD medications may include changes in blood pressure, heart rate, anxiety, and tics. Certain teens and children who are taking stimulant medication notice a slight slowing in their growth. Methylphenidate Methylphenidate is a central nervous stimulant is the most well-known drug used to treat ADHD. It comes in a variety of forms, such as a liquid chewable tablet and an oral disintegrating tablet, which acts long, and a pill with extended release. The drug is effective by increasing the levels of norepinephrine and dopamine in the brain, which help to increase concentration. It can also help reduce the symptoms of depression and anxiety. When used in conjunction with other treatments like behavioral therapy, methylphenidate could be an effective treatment for ADHD. Methylphenidate works by blocking the transporters that remove these neurotransmitters from the brain. The medication can cause a slight increase in blood pressure and heart rate. Patients with diabetes should be cautious when taking this medication as it could cause an abrupt rise in blood sugar. Talk to your doctor if you notice any of these signs. Methylphenidate can also cause the condition known as Raynaud's phenomenon that causes numbness and pain in the fingers and toes. It is a rare but serious side result. It is important to inform your doctor in the event that these symptoms develop. There are some who believe that methylphenidate can slow down the growth of children. However it hasn't been proved. If you have a child who is being treated with methylphenidate, be sure to monitor the child's weight and height carefully. If your child is on chewable tablets containing methylphenidate that contains phenylalanine which is a risk for children who have the genetic disorder phenylketonuria (PKU). If you have PKU, ask your doctor about different formulations of methylphenidate. Stimulants are the most popular medication for treating ADHD However, some individuals have issues with them. In these cases, doctors could prescribe another medication that performs similarly. There are also other stimulants like dexamfetamine and lisdexamfetamine, in addition to the methylphenidate. These drugs can last longer and are stronger than methylphenidate. The typical dosage is at least three times a day However, some people may be able to take them more often. Psychological treatments are also available to treat ADHD, but they are less likely to be effective than stimulants. Atomoxetine Atomoxetine is also called Strattera and is a nonstimulant ADHD drug that boosts concentration while decreasing the impulsivity and hyperactivity. It belongs to a category called selective norepinephrine-reuptake inhibitors. It works by increasing levels of norepinephrine and dopamine two chemical messengers that control brain's activity. It is a favorite among children and adults who want a different medication than stimulants such as Adderall or Vyvanse. medications for adhd is crucial to understand that atomoxetine isn't a drug that works instantly. It can take up 6 weeks before the effects of this drug begin to show. There are also side effects such as drowsiness and nausea. However, the benefits of atomoxetine surpass the risks for many patients. The efficacy of atomoxetine was verified in a double-blind, multisite placebo-controlled trial with 297 ADHD patients ages 12 to 18. The participants were randomly assigned to receive atomoxetine, which is a daily dose of 0.6 mg per kilogram or 1.2 mg/kg, or a placebo for 9 weeks. Both the atomoxetine group as well as the placebo group experienced decrease in the symptoms of depression. The atomoxetine treatment group had more improvement in ADHD symptoms compared to the placebo group. However the improvement was not as dramatic (Michelson et al 2001). In a separate open study, 10 patients suffering from ADHD who failed to respond to stimulants were treated with atomoxetine for 8 weeks. The atomoxetine group demonstrated improved ADHD symptoms when compared to the placebo group with scores on the Conners Adult ADHD Rating Scale Investigator Rated Screening version and Clinical Global Impressions of Severity scale improving significantly. However, one patient developed a rash and withdrew from the study. Three patients reported intermittent gastrointestinal problems and one patient reported fatigue that was more severe (Kratochvil and colleagues, 2005). Before medications for adhd in adults begin treatment with atomoxetine with your physician about your medical history and any other supplements or medications that you are taking. This includes herbal remedies as well as over the counter medicines. Discuss with your doctor if any of the following conditions occur such as narrow-angle glaucoma, a thyroid or adrenal gland tumour or a high blood pressure heart disease or sudden death. You should avoid atomoxetine as well if you've taken an MAO-inhibitor such as isocarboxazid and linezolid within the last 14 days, or rasagiline Methylene Blue Injection phenelzine, or tranylcypromine. Bupropion Bupropion is a nonstimulant that can aid in reducing symptoms of ADHD. It also helps to reduce impulsivity and increase concentration, but it doesn't affect the brain in the same way as stimulants do. It's only available on prescription. Your doctor will determine the best dosage for you. Bupropion comes in tablets and capsules. It is crucial to follow the prescriptions. There are withdrawal symptoms that can occur in the event that you stop abruptly. The typical dosage is two or three doses per day divided by 4 to 6 hours. The dosage can range from 100mg twice or three times per day up to 150mg three or four time every day. The drug is in the digestive system and excreted into urine. It is not able to enter breast milk. However, it can enter the bloodstream and cause damage to other organs. Bupropion may increase blood pressure, making it important to check it often. Bupropion, in addition to improving ADHD symptoms it can also help reduce depression. It can also be used to treat bipolar disorder. It works by blocking dopamine receptors within your brain. This blocks the neurotransmitter, dopamine, from entering your brain. This helps to stabilize your mood. Bupropion may interact with other medications It's therefore important to inform your doctor about any other medications you're taking. It's important to let your doctor know if you have any allergies. It is also important to stay clear of caffeine and other stimulants that could make the adverse effects worse. In several studies, bupropion was compared to placebos for adults suffering from ADHD. These studies had mixed results, and a lot were poorly designed. Many of these studies did not include patients with psychiatric co-morbidity. The results suggest that bupropion has an impact on ADHD. However, more research is needed to identify positive outcomes for patients such as improvements in quality of life. Before effective treatments can be created it is essential to understand the underlying causes of the molecular causes of ADHD. This requires a deeper understanding of the interplay between the molecular pathways. It is also crucial to know the way that anti-ADHD medications work in conjunction with psychotherapy. Tricyclic antidepressants If the stimulants prescribed to children with ADHD aren't effective or cause adverse side effects, doctors may look to antidepressants for treatment. These drugs, like imipramine and Nortriptyline, (Aventyl and Pamelor) are able to increase the neurotransmitters norepinephrine and dopamine in the brain, which helps people to focus. These are older medications which can cause serious side effects, so they're usually tried only when other medications have failed. The first option for depression-related antidepressants is typically an inhibitor of serotonin reuptake (SSRI), such as sertraline, fluoxetine or citalopram. Tricyclic antidepressants are still being used in certain cases despite their long-standing history. These drugs are effective in treating neuropathic pain and other conditions however their antidepressant effect is not the same. They increase the potency of noradrenephrine by reducing its reuptake. They also function as antagonists of pain pathways within the spinal cord. SSRIs have lower risks of toxicity and have less severe adverse effects than tricyclic antidepressants. In addition, they're safer during pregnancy and do not appear to cause teratogenicity in humans or animals. However, they can cause significant withdrawal symptoms if abruptly stopped. To lessen the negative side effects, your doctor may suggest reducing the dose gradually over a period of time. Although not officially recognized by the FDA as an adhd medication bupropion is commonly prescribed antidepressant that is off-label for ADHD. It is believed to be effective by increasing neurotransmitters such as norepinephrine and dopamine in the brain, which increases concentration. It is also believed to relieve stress and anxiety. It can be used in conjunction with stimulants to produce quicker and lasting results. While there are no other FDA-approved nonstimulant medications for ADHD however, many people feel relief through the use of nutritional supplements and herbs. A diet that is low in fat and sugar may help reduce ADHD symptoms. Certain people can also benefit from abstaining from caffeine. It's important to tell your doctor about all the medications your child or you is taking, including prescription medications and herbal remedies. This will minimize unwanted side effects as well as prevent interactions. ADHD medications can affect everyone differently, which is why it's often a process of trial and error to discover the right drug and dosage for you or your child.