Best Medication For ADHD
Most children and teenagers who take ADHD medication report that they focus better and are less impulsive. They feel calmer and more focused with their school work. Some suffer a slight slowdown in growth and may have an increased heart rate or blood pressure while taking these medicines.
The medications are available in a variety of forms, including capsules, tablets liquid, patches and tablets (such as Daytrana). The most commonly used stimulant is methylphenidate (Adderall). It's available in immediate-release dextroamphetamine, sustained-release dextroamphetamine and extended-release amphetamine salts.
Stimulants
Stimulants are one of the classes of drugs that is effective in treating ADHD. These medications improve concentration and attention by altering neurotransmitters, especially norepinephrine and dopamine. These are the chemicals that regulate the prefrontal cortex that is often called the brain's "secretary" because it aids with planning and organizational abilities.
Stimulants come in short and long-acting doses. The short-acting drugs have a peak effect in 30 to 45 minutes, and must be taken two or three times a day. Amphetamines like Adderall and Dexedrine and methylphenidates such as Ritalin, Concerta and Ritalin, are among these. Amphetamines are more powerful and last longer than methylphenidates, but both work in the same way to increase concentration and attention. Certain stimulant medicines are available in extended-release formulations. They are the best choice since they last from 8 to 12 hours, and are usually taken every day. Some of these medicines are a powder that you mix with liquid to create a drink, and others are pills.
It can take time to find the right medication for your child or yourself. Your doctor will observe how you react to different types of drugs and alter the dosage as required. The use of medication should be part of a comprehensive treatment plan that includes behavioral therapy and support.
Non-stimulant ADHD medication takes a more time to work but it can make you feel more in control, improve your impulsivity and concentration and increase your concentration. These medications do not alter dopamine or norepinephrine in like stimulants do. They are therefore able to be employed for a longer duration. They also have less adverse effects, like constipation, heartburn, and reduced sex drive. Strattera is the first of these medications that was approved by the FDA to treat ADHD. It's an inhibitor of selective reuptake. Your doctor read more may prescribe other medicines from this class which include guanfacine (Intuniv) and Clonidine (Kapvay).
There are also antidepressants that are not stimulant that can be prescribed off-label to treat ADHD. These are older drugs in the tricyclic antidepressant group, such as Tofranil (imipramine). Doctors will only recommend these medications when stimulants and other non-stimulants don't work or cause too many adverse effects.
Your doctor can prescribe Atomoxetine (Prozac) or viloxazine (Risperdal). These medications don't have an immediate effect, but help reduce the tendency to be impulsive and improve concentration over time. They're in a distinct drug class than the other options and can trigger certain side effects like shaky hands or headache. Your doctor may also recommend a low-dose antidepressant, bupropion (Wellbutrin), that isn't FDA approved for ADHD treatment but can improve concentration and reduce the risk of impulsivity. It can cause unpleasant, but generally not serious adverse effects, including hearing ringing or changes in vision.