ADHD Treatment Medication
Stimulants are the most frequently prescribed medication for ADHD and are believed to boost and balance levels of brain chemicals. However, they do not cure the condition and will only help with symptoms as long as they are used regularly.
The side effects of ADHD medication can include changes in heart rate and blood pressure as well as upset stomach as well as anxiety and tics. Some teens and children who take stimulant drugs experience a slight reduction in their growth.
Methylphenidate
Methylphenidate is a stimulant for the central nervous system and the most commonly prescribed medication for ADHD. It is available in various forms, such as a liquid chewable tablet and an oral disintegrating tablet that performs long, and a pill with extended release. The drug increases the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain. This can help improve concentration. It can also help reduce 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 which remove these neurotransmitters from the brain. The drug can cause a small increase in heart rate and blood pressure. It may also trigger an abrupt change in blood sugar levels, and those with diabetes must be aware when taking this medication. If you have any of these side effects, talk with your doctor. Methylphenidate is also known to cause Raynaud's phenomenon which causes numbness in the feet and fingers. This is a rare side effect but it is important to tell your doctor if you have these symptoms.
There are some who believe that methylphenidate can slow down the growth of children. However, I Am Psychiatry has not been proven. If your child is taking methylphenidate, be sure to be attentive to their weight and height. If your child is taking chewable tablets containing methylphenidate that contains phenylalanine which is potentially dangerous for children suffering from the genetic disorder phenylketonuria (PKU). Ask your doctor about a different formulation of methylphenidate if you have PKU.
Some people are unable to take stimulants which are the most popular option for treating ADHD. In these cases doctors might prescribe other medications that work in a similar manner. Apart from methylphenidate there are other stimulants like dexamfetamine and lisdexamfetamine. These substances are stronger than methylphenidate and can last longer. These drugs are typically taken every day, either twice or three times however some individuals might be able to take them more frequently. There are also psychological treatments for ADHD, but these are not as effective as stimulants.
Atomoxetine
Atomoxetine is also known as the brand name Strattera, is a non-stimulant ADHD medication that increases concentration and reduces hyperactivity as well as impulsiveness. It's part of a group of medications called selective norepinephrine receptor inhibitors. It is a stimulant of dopamine and norepinephrine, two chemical messengers that control the brain's activity. It is popular with people of all ages who need an alternative to stimulants like Adderall or Vyvanse.
It is important to remember that atomoxetine doesn't work immediately, and it may take up to six weeks for the effects of the drug to be evident. Additionally, you could suffer from side effects like diminished appetite, drowsiness and stomach upset. However, the benefits of atomoxetine far surpass the risks for many patients.
In a double-blind, placebo controlled study conducted on 297 ADHD patients aged 12 to 18, the effectiveness of atomoxetine was verified. Participants were randomly assigned to receive atomoxetine at a daily dose of 0.6 mg per kilogram or 1.2 mg/kg or a placebo for 9 weeks. In both atomoxetine as well as placebo groups, symptoms of depression were less. The atomoxetine-treated group had more 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 for 8 weeks. The group treated with atomoxetine showed improvements in ADHD symptoms when compared to placebo with scores on the Conners Adult ADHD Scale Investigator Rated screening version and the 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 transient gastrointestinal disturbances and one patient reported fatigue that was more severe (Kratochvil et al 2005).
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 as well as prescription medications. It is crucial to inform your doctor if you suffer from narrow-angle glaucoma, thyroid tumor or adrenal gland tumor or high blood pressure, heart disease, or an unusually sudden death. Avoid the use of atomoxetine when you've been taking an MAO-inhibitor such as isocarboxazid and linezolid within the last 14 days, or rasagiline, Methylene Blue Injection, phenelzine or tranylcypromine.
Bupropion
Bupropion is a non-stimulant drug that can aid in reducing symptoms of ADHD. It also helps to reduce impulsivity and improve focus, though it does not affect the brain in the same way that stimulants do. Only prescriptions are approved. Your doctor will determine the best dosage for you. Bupropion is available as tablets and capsules. It's important to take the medication exactly as directed. You may experience withdrawal symptoms in the event that you stop abruptly.
The most common dosage is two or three doses per day separated by four to six hours. The dose can vary from 100mg twice or three times a day to 150mg three or four time every day. The drug is absorbed by the digestive system and excreted into urine. It cannot enter breast milk. However, it could be absorbed into the bloodstream and cause damage to other organs. Bupropion may increase blood pressure, making it important to check it often.
In addition to improving the symptoms of ADHD Bupropion can also reduce depression. It also helps treat bipolar disorder. It is a method of blocking dopamine receptors in your brain. This prevents the neurotransmitter dopamine from entering your brain, which can help stabilize your mood.
Bupropion may interact with other medications So it's crucial to inform your doctor of any other medications you're taking. It's also important to know if you have any allergies. You should also avoid caffeine or other stimulants, as they can make the side effects worse.
In several studies, bupropion was compared to placebos for adults suffering from ADHD. The results of these studies were mixed, and the majority of studies were poorly conducted. A majority of these studies excluded participants with psychiatric co-morbidity. However, the evidence suggests that bupropion may have a small impact on ADHD. However, more research is needed to determine positive patient-centered outcomes like improvements in quality of life. Before effective treatments can be created, it is necessary to understand the underlying causes of the molecular forms of ADHD. This requires a deeper understanding of the relation between the different molecular pathways. Additionally, it's important to understand how different anti-ADHD medications work with psychotherapy.
Tricyclic antidepressants
When the stimulants prescribed for children suffering from ADHD don't work or cause adverse side effects, the doctor may look to antidepressants for treatment. These medications, like imipramine and nortriptyline (Aventyl and Pamelor) are able to increase the neurotransmitters norepinephrine and dopamine in the brain, which help people concentrate. These older drugs may cause serious negative side consequences. They are usually only employed when other drugs are not working.
The first option for depression treatment is typically an inhibitor of serotonin reuptake (SSRI) like fluoxetine, sertraline or citalopram. However, tricyclic antidepressants that have been around for a long time, can be used in certain situations. These drugs are effective in treating neuropathic and other pains but their antidepressant action is not the identical. They potentiate noradrenephrine by inhibiting its reuptake, and also act as antagonists of pain pathways within the spinal cord.
SSRIs have lower risks of toxicity and have less severe side effects than tricyclic antidepressants. They are also less harmful during pregnancy and don't appear to be teratogenic to humans or animals. However, they may cause severe withdrawal symptoms if they are stopped abruptly. Your doctor may recommend slowly decreasing the dosage over several weeks to lessen the negative effects.
Bupropion, an antidepressant commonly prescribed off-label to treat ADHD however, it is not FDA approved as a drug for adhd. It's believed to be effective by increasing the neurotransmitters dopamine, norepinephrine and acetylcholine that are found in the brain to increase concentration. It also helps reduce anxiety and stress. It can be used in conjunction with stimulants to produce more rapid and lasting results.
There are no FDA-approved non-stimulant ADHD medications, but many people experience relief from herbal remedies and supplements to their diets. A diet low in sugar and fat can also help to reduce ADHD symptoms. Certain people can benefit from staying clear of caffeine. Tell your doctor all medications you or your child take, including herbal remedies and over-the-counter medicines. This will help minimize unwanted side effects as well as prevent interactions. ADHD medications can affect individuals differently. It may take some trial and error to find the right dosage and dose for your child or you.