ADHD Treatment Medication
Stimulants, the most frequently prescribed medication for ADHD, appear to balance brain chemicals and boost their levels. They cannot solve the problem and can only manage symptoms if 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 medications experience a minor reduction in their growth rate.
Methylphenidate
Methylphenidate is a stimulant for the central nervous system and the most commonly used drug for treating ADHD. It comes in a variety of forms, such as tablets that chew liquid as well as an oral disintegrating tablet, which acts long, and a pill with extended release. The drug increases the levels of norepinephrine and dopamine in the brain. This helps to improve concentration. It can also help reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety. When combined with other treatments like behavioral therapy, methylphenidate can be a successful treatment for ADHD.
Methylphenidate blocks transporters that eliminate these neurotransmitters naturally from the brain. The drug may cause a slight increase in blood pressure or heart rate. It may also trigger rapid changes in blood sugar levels, and people with diabetes should be aware when taking this medication. Consult your physician if you notice any of these signs. Methylphenidate may also cause Raynaud’s phenomenon that causes numbness in the fingers and feet. This is a rare side effect but it is important to inform your doctor if you experience these symptoms.
There are some who believe that methylphenidate could slow children's growth. However more.. hasn't been proved. If you have a child who is receiving treatment with methylphenidate ensure that you monitor his or her height and weight closely. If your child is taking chewable tablets of methylphenidate, it contains phenylalanine, which is potentially dangerous for children suffering from the genetic disorder phenylketonuria (PKU). Ask your doctor about a different formulation of methylphenidate when you suffer from PKU.
Some people are unable to take stimulants which are the most popular option for treating ADHD. In these instances, doctors may prescribe other drugs that function in a similar manner. In addition to methylphenidate, there are other stimulants such as dexamfetamine and the lisdexamfetamine. These drugs can last longer and are more potent than methylphenidate. add in adults medication are usually taken two to three times daily However, some people take them more often. There are also psychological treatments for ADHD however they are less effective than stimulants.
Atomoxetine
Atomoxetine is also known as the brand name Strattera, is a non-stimulant ADHD medication that boosts concentration and decreases hyperactivity and impulsiveness. It is in a class of drugs known as selective norepinephrine-reuptake inhibitors. It is a stimulant of dopamine and norepinephrine. two chemical messengers that control the brain's activity. It is popular among children and adults who want a different medication than stimulants such as Adderall or Vyvanse.
It is crucial to keep in mind that atomoxetine doesn't work immediately, and it may take up to six weeks for the effects of the drug to be apparent. In addition, you may suffer from side effects like drowsiness, decreased appetite, and stomach upset. For the majority of patients the advantages of taking atomoxetine far outweigh any risk.
The efficacy of atomoxetine was confirmed in a multisite double-blind placebo-controlled study involving 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 a period of 9 weeks. In both the atomoxetine and placebo groups, symptoms of depression were reduced. The atomoxetine group experienced more improvements in ADHD symptoms than the placebo group. However, the improvement was modest (Michelson et al 2001).
In a second open study that included 10 ADHD patients who did not respond to stimulants were treated with an atomoxetine treatment over 8 weeks. The atomoxetine treatment group demonstrated improved ADHD symptoms in comparison to placebo, with scores on Conners Adult ADHD Scale Investigator Screening version rated and Clinical Global Impression of Severity scales increasing significantly. However, one patient developed an allergic reaction and was removed from the study. Three patients also reported transient gastrointestinal symptoms, and one noticed an increase in fatigue.
Talk to your doctor prior to you start treatment with atomoxetine about your health history, including any supplements or medications you take. This includes herbal remedies and over-the-counter medications. It is particularly important to inform your doctor if you have narrow-angle glaucoma or a thyroid tumor or adrenal gland tumor and high blood pressure heart disease or a history of sudden death. Avoid Atomoxetine in addition to if you've taken an MAO-inhibitor such as isocarboxazid and linezolid in the last 14 days or rasagiline Methylene Blue Injection phenelzine, or tranylcypromine.
Bupropion
Bupropion, a non-stimulant can help improve ADHD symptoms. It also helps reduce impulsivity and boost concentration, but it does not affect the brain in the same way that stimulants do. It's only available on prescription. Your doctor will decide the most effective dosage for you. Bupropion comes in tablets as well as extended-release capsules. It is important to take the medication as directed. If you stop taking it suddenly you could experience withdrawal symptoms.
The usual dosage is two or three doses daily separated by 4 to 6 hours. The dosage can range from 100 mg twice or three times a day up to 150 mg three or four times daily. The drug is absorbed by the digestive tract and is excreted in urine, meaning it isn't able to enter breast milk. However, it is able to be absorbed into the bloodstream and affect other organs. Bupropion may increase blood pressure, which is why it's vital to monitor it regularly.
In addition to improving the symptoms of ADHD, bupropion can also reduce depression. It is also used to treat bipolar disorder. It works by blocking the dopamine receptors in your brain. This stops the neurotransmitter, dopamine, from reaching your brain. This helps stabilize your mood.
Bupropion may interact with other drugs. Inform your doctor if you're taking any other medication. It's also important to determine if you have any allergies. Avoid caffeine and other stimulants because they can make the side effects worse.
In a variety of studies in a variety of studies, bupropion was compared with placebos for adults suffering from ADHD. The results of these studies were mixed and the majority of them were not conducted properly. Additionally, many did not include participants with psychiatric disorders. The research suggests that bupropion can have a modest impact on ADHD. However, more research is needed to identify positive outcomes for patients such as improvement in quality of life. Furthermore, a more precise understanding of the molecular subtypes of ADHD is needed before effective treatment can be developed. This requires a deeper understanding of the connection between molecular pathways. Furthermore, it's essential to understand how different anti-ADHD medications work 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 medications, such as imipramine and Nortriptyline (Aventyl and Pamelor), increase the neurotransmitters norepinephrine and dopamine in the brain, which help people focus. These are old drugs that may have a number of adverse reactions, and are usually tried only when other medications have failed.
The first choice of antidepressants for depression is usually a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) such as fluoxetine, sertraline, citalopram and escitalopram. However, tricyclic antidepressants, that have been in use for decades, may still be utilized in certain instances. These medications are also effective in treating neuropathic pain and have an additional pain-relieving effect which is distinct from their antidepressant effect. They potentiate noradrenephrine by inhibiting its reuptake and also act as antagonists of pain pathways within the spinal cord.
SSRIs are less toxic and have less adverse effects than tricyclic antidepressants. They are also safer during pregnancy and don't appear to be teratogenic for humans or animals. However, they may cause severe withdrawal symptoms if abruptly stopped. Your doctor may recommend slowly decreasing the dosage over several weeks to reduce the effects.
Bupropion, an antidepressant commonly that is used off-label to treat ADHD, is not FDA approved as an adhd drug. It is believed to increase the neurotransmitters norepinephrine, dopamine and acetylcholine that are found in the brain to increase concentration. It also helps alleviate anxiety and stress. It can be combined with stimulants to produce more rapid and lasting results.
There are no FDA-approved non-stimulant ADHD medication, however many people experience relief from herbal remedies and supplements to their diets. A diet low on sugar and fat may also help reduce ADHD symptoms. Some people may also benefit by avoiding caffeine. It's important to tell your doctor about all the medications your child or you is taking, including prescription medications and herbal remedies. This can help reduce unwanted side effects and prevent interactions. ADHD medications can affect every person differently, which is why it's often an exercise of trial and error to determine the right drug and dosage for your child or yourself.