ADHD Treatment Medication
Stimulants are among the most frequently prescribed medication for ADHD and can increase and regulate levels of brain chemicals. However, they cannot cure the condition and will only help with symptoms as long as they are taken regularly.
Side effects of ADHD medications can include changes in blood pressure as well as heart rate, anxiety, and tics. Certain teenagers and children who take stimulant medications experience a minor reduction in their growth rate.
Methylphenidate
Methylphenidate is a central nervous system stimulant and is the most widely prescribed medication for ADHD. It comes in a variety forms including liquid, chewable tablet and a long-acting disintegrating orally disintegrating tablet, and an extended-release pill. The drug is effective by increasing the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain, which help to improve focus. It can also help to reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression. When coupled with other treatments, such as behavioral therapy, methylphenidate may be an effective treatment for ADHD.
Methylphenidate blocks the transporters that are normally responsible for removing these neurotransmitters from the brain. The drug may cause an increase in blood pressure or heart rate. It may also trigger an abrupt change in blood sugar levels, so diabetics should be cautious when taking this medication. If you have any of these side effects, speak to your physician. Methylphenidate may also trigger a condition called Raynaud's phenomenon that causes numbness as well as pain in the toes and fingers. This is a rare but serious side effect. It is crucial to notify your doctor in the event that these symptoms develop.
There are some who believe that methylphenidate may slow children's growth. However this hasn't been proved. If your child is taking methylphenidate be sure to be attentive to their weight and height. If your child is on a methylphenidate chewable tablet that contains phenylalanine which can be dangerous for children with the genetic disorder phenylketonuria (PKU). Consult your physician about a different formulation of methylphenidate when you suffer from PKU.
Certain people have issues with stimulants which are the primary treatment for ADHD. In these instances, doctors may prescribe other drugs that function in a similar manner. There are other stimulants, such as dexamfetamine or lisdexamfetamine, besides methylphenidate. These substances can last longer and are more potent than methylphenidate. These drugs are typically taken every day, either twice or three times However, some people might be able take them more often. There are also psychological treatments for ADHD, but these are not as effective as stimulants.
Atomoxetine
Atomoxetine is also known as Strattera and is a non-stimulant ADHD medication that improves concentration while reducing the impulsivity and hyperactivity. It is part of a class known as selective norepinephrine-reuptake inhibitors. It is a drug that increases levels of dopamine and norepinephrine, two chemical messengers which control brain activity. It is a favorite among adults and children who seek a different medication than stimulants like Adderall or Vyvanse.
It is crucial to keep in mind that atomoxetine is not effective instantly, and it can take up to six weeks for the effects of the medication to be evident. In addition, you may be afflicted by side effects such as reduced appetite, drowsiness and stomach upset. For the majority of patients, the benefits of taking atomoxetine are greater than any risks.
In a double-blind, placebo controlled study of 297 ADHD patients aged 12 to 18 years old, the effectiveness of atomoxetine is verified. Participants were randomly assigned to receive either the daily dose of atomoxetine 0.6 mg/kg or 1.2 mg/kg or a placebo for a period of 9 weeks. Both the atomoxetine group as well as the placebo group experienced a reduction in symptoms of depression. The atomoxetine treatment group showed greater improvement in ADHD symptoms compared to the placebo group. The improvement was sporadic.
In a follow-up open trial that included 10 ADHD patients who were not responding to stimulants were treated with the treatment of atomoxetine for eight weeks. The atomoxetine treatment group demonstrated improvements in ADHD symptoms in comparison to placebo, with scores on Conners Adult ADHD Scale Investigator Rated screening version and Clinical Global Impression of Severity scales gaining significant. One patient however, experienced an allergic reaction and was removed from the study. In addition, three patients reported intermittent gastrointestinal problems and one experienced increased fatigue (Kratochvil and colleagues, 2005).
Before beginning treatment with atomoxetine to your doctor about your health history and any other medications or supplements that you're taking. This includes herbal remedies and prescription medications. It is particularly important to tell your doctor if you suffer from narrow-angle glaucoma, thyroid tumor or adrenal gland tumor and high blood pressure heart disease or an unusually sudden death. You should avoid Atomoxetine in addition to when you've been taking an MAO-inhibitor, such isocarboxazid or linezolid within the last 14 days, or rasagiline, Methylene Blue Injection, phenelzine or tranylcypromine.
Bupropion
Bupropion, a non-stimulant can help improve ADHD symptoms. It can also decrease impulsivity, and increase focus. However it doesn't affect the brain in the way stimulants do. Only prescriptions are approved. Your doctor will determine the most appropriate dosage for you. Bupropion comes in capsules and tablets. It is important to follow the prescriptions. If you stop taking it abruptly you may experience withdrawal symptoms.
The usual dosage is two or three doses daily divided by 4-6 hours. The dose can range between 100 mg two or three times per day to 150 mg three or four times a day. The drug is absorbed by the digestive system, and excreted through urine. It cannot enter breast milk. However, it can enter the bloodstream and affect other organs. Bupropion raises blood pressure. It is essential to keep it in check frequently.
In addition to helping improve the symptoms of ADHD Bupropion can also reduce depression. It can also treat bipolar disorder. It works by blocking the dopamine receptors that are located in your brain. This stops the neurotransmitter, dopamine, from reaching your brain. This helps stabilize your mood.
Bupropion can interact with other medications. Inform your doctor if you're taking any other medications. It is important to inform your doctor know if suffer from any allergies. Avoid caffeine and other stimulants because they can cause side effects to become worse.
Several studies have compared bupropion to placebos in adults suffering from ADHD. The results of these studies were mixed, and the majority of them were not well-designed. A majority of these studies excluded people with psychiatric disorders co-morbidity. However, the evidence suggests that bupropion has a modest impact on ADHD. However it is necessary to conduct more research to determine positive patient-centered outcomes such as improvement in quality of life. Before effective treatments can be created it is essential to understand the underlying causes of the molecular forms of ADHD. This includes a better understanding of the relation between the different molecular pathways. It's also important to understand how anti-ADHD drugs function in combination with psychotherapy.
Tricyclic antidepressants
Antidepressants may be prescribed by doctors when stimulants prescribed for children suffering from ADHD are not effective or cause adverse side negative effects. These medications, such as imipramine and nortriptyline (Aventyl, Pamelor), are effective in boosting the neurotransmitters norepinephrine as well as dopamine in the brain, which help people concentrate. These are older drugs that may have a number of adverse effects, so they're typically only considered when other drugs have failed.
The first choice of antidepressants in depression is usually an inhibitor of serotonin reuptake (SSRI) like fluoxetine, sertraline, or citalopram. However, tricyclic antidepressants that have been in use for a long time, can be used in certain situations. These drugs are effective in treating pain caused by neuropathic or other, but their antidepressant effect is not the identical. They enhance the noradrenephrine receptor, by preventing its reuptake, and they also function as descending modulators for pain pathways in spinal cord.
SSRIs have a lower risk of toxicity and have less severe adverse effects than tricyclic antidepressants. They are also less harmful during pregnancy and do not appear to be teratogenic to humans or animals. If abruptly stopped, they can cause significant withdrawal symptoms. Your doctor may suggest slowly lowering the dose over several weeks to minimize these effects.
Bupropion, a common antidepressant that is used off-label to treat ADHD, is not FDA approved as a drug for adhd. It's thought to work by increasing the neurotransmitters norepinephrine, dopamine and acetylcholine within the brain to increase concentration. It is also believed to relieve stress and anxiety. It can be paired with stimulants to achieve faster and longer-lasting results.
Although there aren't any other FDA-approved nonstimulant drugs for ADHD however, many people get relief from the read more use of supplements to their diets and herbs. A diet low in fat and sugar may also help to reduce ADHD symptoms. Some people might benefit by avoiding caffeine. Tell your doctor all medications that you or your child are taking such as herbal remedies and prescription medications. This will avoid interactions and reduce the risk of unwanted side effects. ADHD medications can affect every person differently, and it's often a trial and error to determine the appropriate dosage and medication for your child or yourself.