13 Things You Should Know About ADHD Treatment Medication That You Might Not Have Known
13 Things You Should Know About ADHD Treatment Medication That You Might Not Have Known
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ADHD Treatment Medication
Stimulants, which are the most commonly prescribed treatment for ADHD, appear to balance brain chemicals and boost their levels. They cannot cure the disorder and only help manage symptoms if they are they are taken regularly.
The adverse effects of ADHD medication can include changes in blood pressure and heart rate, anxiety and tics. Some children and teenagers who take stimulant drugs experience a minor reduction in their growth rate.
Methylphenidate
Methylphenidate, a central nervous stimulant is the most well-known medication used to treat ADHD. It is available in many forms such as a chewable tablet, a liquid and a long-acting disintegrating orally disintegrating tablet, and an extended-release pill. The drug boosts the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain. This helps to improve concentration. It can also lessen the symptoms of depression and anxiety. Methylphenidate can be a successful treatment for ADHD in conjunction with other treatments, like behavioural therapy.
Methylphenidate blocks transporters that remove these neurotransmitters from the brain. The drug can cause an increase in heart rate or blood pressure. Patients with diabetes should be aware of this medication as it could cause an abrupt rise in blood sugar. Speak to your doctor when you notice any of these signs. Methylphenidate can also trigger Raynaud's phenomenon that causes numbness in the fingers and feet. This is a rare but serious side effect. It is essential to notify your doctor if these symptoms develop.
There are some who believe that methylphenidate may slow the growth of children. However this hasn't been proven. If you have a child receiving treatment with methylphenidate be sure to keep track of his or her weight and height closely. If your child is taking a methylphenidate chewable tablet is a phenylalanine-based tablet, which is potentially dangerous for children with the genetic disorder phenylketonuria (PKU). If you suffer from PKU ask your doctor about different methylphenidate formulations.
Stimulants are considered the first-choice medication for treating ADHD, but certain people are not able to use them. In these cases doctors might prescribe other drugs that function in a similar way. There are also other stimulants, such as dexamfetamine or lisdexamfetamine in addition to methylphenidate. These drugs can last for longer and are stronger than methylphenidate. They are usually taken two to three times a day However, some people take them more often. Psychological treatments are also available for treating ADHD, but they are less likely to be effective than stimulants.
Atomoxetine
Atomoxetine is also known as the brand name Strattera, is a non-stimulant ADHD medication that increases concentration and reduces hyperactivity and impulsiveness. It belongs to a class called selective norepinephrine-reuptake inhibitors. It works by boosting levels of dopamine and norepinephrine two chemical messengers that control the brain's activity. It is a favorite among people of all ages who need an alternative to stimulants like Adderall or Vyvanse.
It is important to remember that atomoxetine does not work immediately, and it may take up to 6 weeks for the effects of the medication to be apparent. You may also experience side effects such as nausea and drowsiness. For the majority of patients, the benefits of taking atomoxetine are greater than the risks.
The efficacy of atomoxetine was confirmed in a multisite double-blind placebo-controlled trial with 297 ADHD patients between the ages of 12 and 18. The 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. Both the atomoxetine group and the placebo group experienced a decrease in the symptoms of depression. The atomoxetine-treated group had more improvement in ADHD symptoms than the placebo group. The improvement was modest.
In another open trial, 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 increasing significantly. One patient had to withdraw due to an rash. Additionally, three patients reported intermittent gastrointestinal problems and one reported increased fatigue (Kratochvil and co., 2005).
Consult your physician before you start treatment with atomoxetine about your medical history, including any supplements or medications you're taking. This includes herbal remedies as well as other over-the-counter medicines. It is especially important to tell your doctor if you suffer from narrow-angle glaucoma, a thyroid tumor or adrenal gland tumor, high blood pressure, heart disease, or a history of sudden death. You should stay clear of the use of atomoxetine in the event that 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 non-stimulant drug that can help improve symptoms of ADHD. It can also reduce the impulsivity of children and improve focus. However it doesn't affect the brain the similar way that stimulants do. Only prescriptions are approved. Your doctor will determine the best dosage for you. Bupropion comes in tablets and extended-release capsules. It is essential to take the medication exactly as directed. If you stop taking it suddenly you could experience withdrawal symptoms.
It's typically taken two or three times a day with a gap of 4-6 hours between each dose. The dose can range between 100 mg twice or three times per day up to 150 mg three or four times daily. The drug is taken up by the digestive system and excreted into urine. It isn't able to penetrate breast milk. However, it can be absorbed into the bloodstream and cause harm to other organs. Bupropion raises blood pressure. It is essential to keep it in check regularly.
Bupropion is a great drug that, in addition to reducing ADHD symptoms and reducing depression, also helps to reduce the symptoms of ADHD. It can also treat bipolar disorder. It works by blocking dopamine receptors in your brain. This blocks the neurotransmitter dopamine, from reaching your brain. This helps to stabilize your mood.
Bupropion can interact with other drugs, so it's important to tell your doctor about any other medications you're taking. It's also important to know if you have any allergies. Avoid caffeine and other stimulants because they can make the side effects worse.
A number of studies have compared bupropion to placebos in adults suffering from ADHD. These studies yielded mixed results, and many were not conducted properly. Moreover, many of them excluded participants with psychiatric comorbidity. The data indicate that bupropion does have a small effect on ADHD. Further research is needed to determine positive outcomes for patients, such as the improvement in their quality of life. Furthermore, a more precise understanding of the molecular subtypes of ADHD is needed before effective treatment can be developed. This is a greater understanding of the relation between the different molecular pathways. Additionally, it's important to know how various anti-ADHD agents work in combination with psychotherapy.
Tricyclic antidepressants
If the stimulants prescribed to children with ADHD do not work or cause troublesome side effects, doctors might consider antidepressants as a treatment. These drugs, like imipramine and Nortriptyline, (Aventyl and Pamelor) boost the neurotransmitters dopamine as well as norepinephrine in the brain, which aids in helping people to focus. These are old drugs that can have challenging adverse effects, so they're usually only used after other medications have failed.
The first choice of depression treatment is typically a serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) like fluoxetine, sertraline or citalopram. However, tricyclic antidepressants which have been around for a long time, can be utilized in certain instances. These drugs are effective in treating neuropathic and other pains but their antidepressant action is not the identical. They potentiate noradrenephrine by inhibiting its reuptake and also act as lower modulators of pain pathways within the spinal cord.
SSRIs are less harmful and have fewer side effects than tricyclic antidepressants. They are also less harmful during pregnancy and don't appear to be teratogenic to animals or humans. If abruptly stopped, they may cause significant withdrawal symptoms. Your doctor may recommend slowly reducing the dose over a few weeks to minimize these effects.
While not officially approved by the FDA as an adhd medication Bupropion is a widely prescribed antidepressant off-label to treat ADHD. It is believed to be effective by increasing neurotransmitters such as norepinephrine and dopamine in the brain, which increases concentration. It also has been proven to reduce anxiety and can be combined with stimulants for more rapid and lasting results.
There are no FDA-approved nonstimulant more info ADHD medication, however many people experience relief from herbal remedies and supplements to their diets. A diet that is low in fat and sugar can also help to reduce ADHD symptoms. Also, avoiding caffeine may be beneficial to some people. Tell your doctor all medications that you or your child is taking such as herbal remedies and over-the-counter medicines. This can help reduce unwanted side effects as well as prevent interactions. ADHD medications can affect every person differently, and it's often a trial and error to discover the right dosage and drug for your child or yourself.