ADHD Treatment Medication
Stimulants are the most commonly prescribed medication for ADHD, and appear to boost and balance levels of brain chemicals. They are not able to treat the disorder, but rather help manage symptoms if they are taken regularly.
The adverse effects of ADHD medications can include changes in blood pressure and heart rate, anxiety, and tics. Certain teens and children who take stimulant medications have a slight decrease in their growth.
Methylphenidate
Methylphenidate is a stimulant for the central nervous system and is the most widely used drug for treating ADHD. It comes in a variety of forms, including tablets that chew liquid and an oral disintegrating tablet that acts long and has an extended release. The drug boosts the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain. This can help improve concentration. It can also lessen the symptoms of anxiety and depression. Methylphenidate is a proven treatment for ADHD in conjunction with other treatments, like behavioural therapy.
Methylphenidate blocks the transporters that remove these neurotransmitters normally from the brain. The medication can cause a slight increase in heart rate and blood pressure. People who suffer from diabetes should be aware of this medication as it could cause an abrupt rise in blood sugar. If you encounter any of these side effects, talk to your physician. Methylphenidate is also known to cause Raynaud's phenomenon which causes numbness in the fingers and feet. This is an uncommon side effect, however it is essential to tell your doctor if you experience these symptoms.
There is a concern that methylphenidate slows children's growth, but it hasn't been proven to be the case. If you have a child who is being treated with methylphenidate be sure to keep track of the height and weight closely. If your child is taking tablets containing methylphenidate, the phenylalanine in it can be dangerous to children suffering from phenylketonuria. If you suffer from PKU, ask your doctor about different methylphenidate formulations.
Some people are unable to take stimulants which are the primary treatment for ADHD. In these cases, doctors may prescribe other drugs that function similarly. Apart from methylphenidate there are other stimulants like dexamfetamine and lisdexamfetamine. These drugs can last longer and are stronger than methylphenidate. They are usually taken two to 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 is also known as Strattera and is a nonstimulant ADHD medication that improves concentration while decreasing hyperactivity and impulsiveness. It belongs to a class known as selective norepinephrine-reuptake inhibitors. It works by increasing levels of norepinephrine and dopamine, two chemical messengers which control the brain activity. It is popular among children and adults who want an alternative to stimulants like Adderall or Vyvanse.
It is crucial to keep in mind that atomoxetine doesn't work instantly and it could take up to six weeks for the effects of the medication to be evident. There are also 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 has been confirmed in a multisite double-blind placebo-controlled study with 297 ADHD patients aged 12 to 18. Participants were randomly assigned to receive atomoxetine at a daily dose 0.6 mg/kg or 1.2 mg/kg or a placebo over 9 weeks. In both atomoxetine and placebo groups, symptoms of depression were less. The treatment group with atomoxetine showed greater improvement in ADHD symptoms compared to the placebo group. However the improvement was only modest (Michelson and colleagues 2001).
In a second open trial, 10 ADHD patients who did not respond to stimulants were treated with the treatment of atomoxetine for eight weeks. The atomoxetine treatment group demonstrated improved ADHD symptoms when compared to placebo with scores on the Conners Adult ADHD Scale Investigator Screening version rated and Clinical Global Impression of Severity scales improving significantly. However, one patient developed an rash and resigned from the study. Three patients also reported temporary stomach symptoms, and one reported increased fatigue.
Consult your physician before you start treatment with atomoxetine about your medical history, including any medications or supplements you're taking. This includes herbal remedies and other over-the-counter medicines. Discuss with your doctor if any of the following conditions occur for narrow-angle glaucoma thyroid or adrenal gland tumour or a high blood pressure heart disease or a history sudden death. You should avoid the use of atomoxetine in the event that you've taken an MAO inhibitor, such isocarboxazid or linezolid in the past 14 days, or rasagiline Methylene Blue Injection phenelzine or tranylcypromine.
Bupropion
Bupropion is a nonstimulant that can help improve symptoms of ADHD. It also helps reduce impulsivity and increase focus, although it doesn't affect the brain in the same way as stimulants do. It's only available with a prescription. Your doctor will decide the most effective dosage for you. Bupropion comes in capsules and tablets. It is important to take the medication as directed. If you stop taking it suddenly, you may have withdrawal symptoms.
The typical dosage is two or three doses daily divided by 4-6 hours. The dosage can range from 100 mg two or three times a day to 150 mg three or four times daily. The drug is absorbed in the digestive tract and is excreted in urine, which means it isn't able to enter breast milk. However, it is able to enter the bloodstream and affect other organs. Bupropion may increase blood pressure, making it important to monitor it frequently.
In addition to reducing the symptoms of ADHD, bupropion can also reduce depression. It is also used to treat bipolar disorder. It is a method of blocking dopamine receptors inside your brain. This blocks the neurotransmitter, dopamine, from entering your brain. This helps to stabilize your mood.
Bupropion may interact with other medications. Inform your doctor if you're taking any other medications. It's also important to find out whether you suffer from any allergies. Avoid caffeine and other stimulants as they can make the side effects worse.
In several studies, bupropion was compared to placebos for adults with ADHD. The results of these studies were mixed and the majority of studies were not conducted properly. A majority of these studies excluded participants with psychiatric co-morbidity. However, the research suggests that bupropion can have a slight effect on ADHD. However, more research is needed to determine positive patient-centered outcomes like improvements in quality of life. Furthermore, a better understanding of the molecular subtypes of ADHD is required before effective treatment can be created. This is a greater understanding of the relationship between the various molecular pathways. It's also important to understand how anti-ADHD drugs work in combination with psychotherapy.
Tricyclic antidepressants
Antidepressants can be prescribed by doctors when stimulants prescribed for children suffering from ADHD do not work or cause adverse side adverse effects. These drugs, which include imipramine and nortriptyline (Aventyl, Pamelor), work by increasing the neurotransmitters norepinephrine as well as dopamine in the brain, which help people concentrate. These are old drugs which can cause serious adverse click here reactions, and are typically only considered when other medications have failed.
The first option for antidepressants in depression is usually a serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), such as fluoxetine, sertraline or citalopram. However, tricyclic antidepressants which have been around for decades, may still be used in certain situations. They are also effective in treating neuropathic pain and have an additional pain-relieving effect that is distinct from their antidepressant activity. They enhance the noradrenephrine receptor, by preventing its reuptake. They also act as descending modulators for pain pathways within the spinal cord.
SSRIs are less toxic and have less side effects than tricyclic antidepressants. They're also safer during pregnancy and aren't teratogenic in animals or humans. However, they can cause significant withdrawal symptoms if stopped suddenly. Your doctor might suggest gradually decreasing the dosage over several weeks to minimize these effects.
Although not officially recognized by the FDA as an adhd medication Bupropion is a widely prescribed antidepressant that is off-label for ADHD. It's thought to be effective by increasing the neurotransmitters dopamine, norepinephrine and acetylcholine in the brain to improve concentration. It also has been proven to reduce anxiety and can be utilized in conjunction with stimulants to get faster and sustained results.
There are no FDA-approved nonstimulant ADHD medications, but many people find relief from herbal remedies and supplements to their diets. A diet that is low in fat and sugar may aid in reducing ADHD symptoms. Also, avoiding caffeine can also be helpful for certain people. It is important to inform your doctor about all medications that you or your child is taking, including prescription medications and herbal remedies. This can help reduce unwanted side effects as well as prevent interactions. ADHD medication can affect people differently. It may take some trial and error to discover the ideal dosage and drug for your child or you.