The Ultimate Guide To ADHD Treatment Medication
ADHD Treatment Medication Stimulants, the most frequently prescribed medication for ADHD are believed to regulate brain chemicals and increase their levels. They do not cure the disorder and only treat symptoms if taken regularly. The side effects of ADHD medication can include changes in blood pressure, heart rate, anxiety, and tics. Certain teens and children who take stimulant drugs have a slight decrease in their growth. Methylphenidate Methylphenidate is a central nervous system stimulant and the most commonly used drug for treating ADHD. It is available in a variety of forms, including tablets that chew liquid as well as an oral disintegrating tablet that acts long, and a pill with extended release. The drug is effective by increasing the levels of norepinephrine and dopamine in the brain, helping to improve focus. It can also help reduce the symptoms of anxiety and depression. When coupled with other treatments, such as behavioral therapy, methylphenidate could be a very effective treatment for ADHD. Methylphenidate blocks the transporters which remove these neurotransmitters from the brain. The drug may cause a slight increase in blood pressure and heart rate. It can also cause an abrupt change in blood sugar levels, which is why diabetics should be aware when taking this medication. If you encounter any of these side effects, speak to your doctor. Methylphenidate is also known to cause Raynaud's phenomenon which causes numbness in the fingers and feet. This is an uncommon side effect, but it is important to tell your doctor if you have these symptoms. There is a concerns that methylphenidate can slow the growth of children, but this has not been proved to be the case. If you have a child being treated with methylphenidate, be sure to keep track of the child's weight and height closely. If your child is taking a tablet containing methylphenidate that contains phenylalanine, it could pose a risk to children suffering from Phenylketonuria. Consult your physician about a different formulation of methylphenidate when you suffer from PKU. Stimulants are considered the first-choice treatment for ADHD However, some people have trouble with them. In these cases, doctors could prescribe another medication that performs in a similar way. Besides methylphenidate, there are other stimulants like dexamfetamine and the lisdexamfetamine. These are more powerful than methylphenidate and may last longer. They are usually taken at least three times a day However, some people might be able take them more frequently. There are also psychological treatments for ADHD, but these are less effective than stimulants. Atomoxetine Atomoxetine is also called Strattera and is a non-stimulant ADHD drug that boosts concentration while decreasing hyperactivity and impulsiveness. It belongs to a category called selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors. It works by boosting levels of dopamine and norepinephrine two chemical messengers that regulate brain's activity. It is a favorite choice for children and adults who prefer a different kind of medication than stimulants such as Adderall and Vyvanse. It is crucial to keep in mind that atomoxetine is not effective immediately, and it may take up to six weeks for the effects of the medication to become apparent. Additionally, you could experience side-effects such as diminished appetite, drowsiness and stomach upset. For most patients the benefits of taking atomoxetine outweigh the risks. In a double-blind placebo controlled study of 297 ADHD patients aged 12 to 18 years old, the efficacy of atomoxetine is verified. Participants were randomly assigned to receive the daily dose of atomoxetine 0.6 mg/kg or 1.2 mg/kg or a placebo over a period of 9 weeks. In both atomoxetine as well as placebo groups, symptoms of depression were less. The treatment group with atomoxetine showed better improvement in ADHD symptoms compared to the placebo group. add medication adults was modest. In a follow-up open trial in a second open trial, 10 ADHD patients who did not respond to stimulants were treated with an atomoxetine treatment over 8 weeks. The atomoxetine group demonstrated improved ADHD symptoms compared to placebo group, with scores on the Conners Adult ADHD Rating Scale Investigator Rated Screening version and Clinical Global Impressions of Severity scale gaining significant. One patient had to withdraw due to an outbreak of skin rash. Additionally, three patients experienced gastrointestinal issues that were transient and one patient reported fatigue that was more severe (Kratochvil et al 2005). Consult your physician before you start treatment with atomoxetine regarding your medical history, which includes any supplements or medications you are taking. This includes herbal remedies and other over-the-counter medicines. It is especially important to tell 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. Also, avoid atomoxetine if you have taken an MAO inhibitor like isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue injection, rasagiline or phenelzine, as well as tranylcypromine in the last 14 days. Bupropion Bupropion is a non-stimulant medication that can help improve symptoms of ADHD. It also helps reduce impulsivity and improve concentration, but it doesn't affect the brain in the same way as stimulants do. It's only available with a prescription. Your doctor will decide on the best dose for you. Bupropion comes in tablets and capsules. It is important to take the medication exactly as directed. There are withdrawal symptoms that can occur when you stop abruptly. The most common dosage is two or three doses daily divided by 4 to 6 hours. The dosage can range between 100 mg twice or three times a day to 150 mg three or four times daily. The drug is taken up by the digestive system and excreted in urine. It cannot enter breast milk. However, it is able to enter the bloodstream and affect other organs. Bupropion can raise blood pressure, making it important to check it often. In addition to reducing the symptoms of ADHD, bupropion can also reduce depression. It is also used to treat bipolar disorder. It works by blocking dopamine receptors in your brain. This blocks the neurotransmitter, dopamine, from entering your brain. This helps to stabilize your mood. Bupropion can interact with other drugs It's therefore important to inform your doctor about any other medications you're taking. It's also important to determine if you have any allergies. Avoid caffeine and other stimulants because they can make the side effects worse. Numerous studies have examined the effects of bupropion versus placebos in adults suffering from ADHD. These studies yielded mixed results, and many were poorly conducted. Many of these studies excluded patients with psychiatric co-morbidity. Nevertheless, the data suggest that bupropion may have a small effect on ADHD. However there is a need for more research to establish positive outcomes for patients such as improvements in quality of life. Furthermore, a better understanding of the molecular subtypes of ADHD is essential before a successful treatment can be developed. This includes a better knowledge of the connection between molecular pathways. Additionally, it's important to understand how different anti-ADHD drugs work with psychotherapy. Tricyclic antidepressants Antidepressants may be prescribed by doctors if stimulants prescribed to children with ADHD do not work or cause side negative effects. These medications, such as imipramine and nortriptyline (Aventyl, Pamelor), help by increasing the neurotransmitters norepinephrine as well as dopamine in the brain, which aid in concentration. These are older medications which can cause serious adverse effects, so they're typically only considered when other drugs have failed. The first choice of antidepressant for depression is typically a selective serotonin receptor inhibitor (SSRI) like fluoxetine sertraline, citalopram, or escitalopram. Tricyclic antidepressants are still being used in some cases despite their long-standing history. They are effective in treating neuropathic pain and other conditions but their antidepressant action is not the same. They enhance noradrenephrine through inhibiting its reuptake, and also act as lower modulators of pain pathways in the spinal cord. SSRIs have a lower risk of toxicity, and less serious adverse effects than tricyclic antidepressants. They're also safer during pregnancy and do not appear to cause teratogenicity in animals or humans. However, they can cause significant withdrawal symptoms if they are stopped abruptly. Your doctor might suggest gradually lowering the dose over several weeks to reduce the effects. Bupropion, a popular antidepressant that is prescribed off-label for treating ADHD, is not FDA approved as an adhd drug. It is believed to increase neurotransmitters, such as norepinephrine or dopamine in the brain, which increases concentration. It is also believed to ease anxiety and can be utilized in conjunction with stimulants to achieve more rapid and long-lasting results. There are no FDA-approved nonstimulant ADHD medication, however many people have found relief through herbal remedies and dietary supplements. A diet that is low in fat and sugar may aid in reducing ADHD symptoms. Also, avoiding caffeine may be beneficial to some people. It's important to tell your doctor about all the medications your child or you takes, including over-the-counter medications and herbal remedies. This can help reduce unwanted side effects and prevent interactions. ADHD medications can affect every person differently, which is why it's often an exercise of trial and error to determine the right drug and dosage for your child or you.