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 solve the problem and will only aid in managing symptoms so long as they are used regularly.
The adverse effects of ADHD medication may include changes in heart rate and blood pressure, upset stomach, anxiety and tics. Children and teens who take stimulant medications experience a minor reduction in their growth rate.
Methylphenidate
Methylphenidate is a central nerve stimulant, is the most common medication used to treat ADHD. It comes in a variety of forms such as a chewable tablet, a liquid and a long-acting disintegrating orally disintegrating tablet, and an extended release pill. The drug increases levels of norepinephrine and dopamine in the brain. This can help improve concentration. It can also lessen the symptoms of anxiety and depression. Methylphenidate is an effective treatment for ADHD in conjunction with other treatments, such as behavioural therapy.
Methylphenidate blocks the transporters that normally remove these neurotransmitters from the brain. The drug can cause a small increase in blood pressure and heart rate. It can also cause an abrupt change in blood sugar levels, which is why people with diabetes should be aware when taking this medication. Consult your physician in the event that you experience any of these symptoms. Methylphenidate is also known to cause Raynaud's phenomenon that causes numbness in the fingers and feet. It is a rare but serious side result. It is crucial to inform your doctor if any of these symptoms develop.
Some people are concerned that methylphenidate can slow down 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 taking a methylphenidate tablet and phenylalanine is present, it could be harmful to children suffering from phenylketonuria. Consult your physician about a different formulation of methylphenidate if you have PKU.
Some people are unable to take stimulants which are the most popular treatment for ADHD. In these cases doctors may prescribe another medication that works in a similar way. Besides methylphenidate, there are other stimulants such as dexamfetamine and lisdexamfetamine. These drugs can last for longer and are more potent than methylphenidate. They are usually taken between two and three times a day However, some people take them more frequently. There are also psychological treatments for ADHD, but these are less effective than stimulants.
Atomoxetine
Atomoxetine, also known under the brand name Strattera, is a non-stimulant ADHD medication that increases concentration and reduces hyperactivity as well as impulsiveness. It belongs to a category known as selective norepinephrine-reuptake inhibitors. It works by increasing levels of dopamine and norepinephrine, two chemical messengers which control the brain activity. It is a preferred option for adults and children who prefer a different kind of medication than stimulants like Adderall and Vyvanse.
It is important to remember that atomoxetine doesn't work instantly, and it can take up to 6 weeks for the effects of the medication to be evident. Additionally, you may suffer from side effects like diminished appetite, drowsiness and upset stomach. However, the benefits of atomoxetine far outweigh the risks for a majority of patients.
In a double-blind placebo controlled study of 297 ADHD patients aged between 12 and 18, the effectiveness of atomoxetine is verified. Participants were randomly assigned to receive atomoxetine in a daily dose of 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 reduced. The atomoxetine group experienced greater improvements in ADHD symptoms than the placebo group. The improvement was not significant.
In a separate open study in another open trial, 10 patients with ADHD who were unable to respond to stimulants were treated with atomoxetine over 8 weeks. The atomoxetine treatment group showed improvement in ADHD symptoms when compared to placebo with scores on Conners Adult ADHD Scale Investigator Rated screening version and Clinical Global Impression of Severity scales gaining significant. However, one patient developed an allergic reaction and was removed from the study. Additionally, three patients reported transient gastrointestinal disturbances and one reported increased fatigue (Kratochvil and colleagues, 2005).
Talk to your doctor prior to you start treatment with atomoxetine. Discuss your health history, including any supplements or medications you are taking. This includes herbal remedies and other over-the-counter medicines. It is particularly important to inform your doctor if you have narrow-angle glaucoma, a thyroid tumor or adrenal gland tumor and high blood pressure heart disease, or a history of sudden death. You should stay clear of Atomoxetine in addition to if you've taken an MAO-inhibitor like isocarboxazid or linezolid within the last 14 days or rasagiline, Methylene Blue Injection, phenelzine, or tranylcypromine.
Bupropion
Bupropion, a nonstimulant that is a non-stimulant, can aid in reducing ADHD symptoms. It also helps reduce impulsivity and boost concentration, but it does not affect the brain in the same way as stimulants do. It's only available with a prescription. Your doctor will determine the best dosage for you. Bupropion comes in capsules and tablets. It is crucial to follow the directions. There are withdrawal symptoms that can occur in the event that you stop abruptly.
It's typically taken two or three times a day with 4-6 hours between each dose. The dosage can vary from 100 mg two or three times daily to 150 mg daily, three or four times. The drug is absorbed into the digestive tract, and then excreted into urine, which means it can't enter breast milk. However, it can enter the bloodstream and impact other organs. Bupropion can increase blood pressure. It is important to monitor it regularly.
In addition to helping improve the symptoms of ADHD Bupropion can also reduce depression. It is also a treatment for bipolar disorder. It works by blocking the dopamine receptors within your brain. This prevents the neurotransmitter dopamine from reaching your brain, which can help to regulate your mood.
Bupropion may interact with other drugs. Inform your doctor if you are taking any other medications. It is important to inform your doctor know if are suffering from any allergies. Also, avoid caffeine or other stimulants, as they could make the adverse effects more severe.
Several studies have compared bupropion to placebos in adults suffering from ADHD. These studies had mixed results, and a lot were poorly designed. Many of these studies excluded patients with psychiatric co-morbidity. Nevertheless, the data suggest that bupropion has a modest impact on ADHD. However it is necessary to conduct more research to establish positive outcomes for patients such as improvement in quality of life. Before effective treatments can be created, it is necessary to gain a better understanding of the molecular forms of ADHD. This includes a better knowledge of the relationship between the molecular pathways. It's also important to understand how anti-ADHD drugs function in combination with psychotherapy.
Tricyclic antidepressants
Antidepressants can be prescribed by doctors when stimulants prescribed to children with ADHD don't work or cause side effects. These drugs, like imipramine and Nortriptyline, (Aventyl and Pamelor) boost the neurotransmitters norepinephrine and dopamine in the brain, which help people to focus. These are older medications that can have challenging side effects, so they're typically only considered when other drugs have failed.
The first choice of depression-related antidepressants is typically a serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) like sertraline, fluoxetine or citalopram. However, tricyclic antidepressants that have been around for decades, may still be used in certain situations. These drugs are effective in treating pain caused by neuropathic or other however their antidepressant effect is not the identical. They increase the activity of the noradrenephrine receptor through blocking its reuptake, and they also act as descending modulators for pain pathways within the spinal cord.
SSRIs are less harmful and have less adverse effects than tricyclic antidepressants. They are also safer during pregnancy and don't appear to be teratogenic to animals or humans. If they are abruptly stopped, they could cause withdrawal symptoms that are severe. To minimize these adverse effects, your physician might suggest reducing the dosage gradually over a period of several weeks.
Although it isn't officially recognized by the FDA as a medication for adhd 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 improves concentration. It's also known to relieve anxiety, and it can be combined with stimulants to achieve more rapid and long-lasting results.
There are no FDA-approved non-stimulant ADHD get more info medication, however many people experience relief from dietary supplements and herbal remedies. A diet low on sugar and fat may also help to reduce ADHD symptoms. Similarly, eliminating caffeine may be beneficial to some people. It's important to tell your doctor about all medications you or your child uses, including prescription drugs and herbal remedies. This will avoid interactions and minimize unwanted adverse effects. ADHD medications can affect everyone differently, and it's often an exercise of trial and error to find the appropriate dosage and medication for your child or yourself.