ADHD Medication - Ritalin
Ritalin is a medication used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. It helps improve brain communication, which can reduce ADHD.
ADHD medications can have adverse effects, such as diminished appetite and trouble sleeping. The majority of these side effects are minor and will fade on their o own or over time.
Dosage
Ritalin increases levels of norepinephrine, dopamine and other neurotransmitters in the brain. These neurotransmitters are involved in regulating motivation and cognition. It is a psychostimulant that has been used for many years and is believed to be safe when taken in the recommended dosages taken under the guidance of a doctor.
However there are reports of misuse of this drug and reports of addiction even at the therapeutic dosage level. Doctors must evaluate each patient's risk and monitor the symptoms throughout treatment. It is also crucial to inform patients and their families on this risk of harm and the need for proper disposal of any unused medication. Using a locked medication box is ideal since it prevents children from accessing and consuming doses that are not used. It is also a great idea to remind patients not to give their medication to anyone.
This medication can trigger suicidal thoughts or behaviors, especially in people who are depressed, bipolar, or have a history of mental illness. If you experience any of these symptoms, contact your doctor immediately. This medication can also cause an increase in blood pressure which can cause strokes or heart issues. If you experience chest pain, a fast heartbeat or excessive sweating, consult your physician immediately. Also, inform your doctor if you have any family history of heart disease or sudden death or if you've previously suffered any type of bleeding or stroke. This medication can cause numbness or pain in your feet or fingers. It can also make it hard to sleep.
It isn't known if the brand-name version is more effective than its generic counterpart. However, check here prefer the brand-name version because of its history of safety and effectiveness. This medication can be abused, and should not be given to anyone who isn't suffering from ADHD or Narcolepsy.
Some people claim that this medication is more effective than other. However this is only anecdotal evidence, and is not yet scientifically proved. Some parents report that their children react differently to generic methylphenidate versus brand name, however this may not be the case for all children.
Side effects
It takes time to determine the correct dose when starting medication to treat ADHD. A doctor will be able to monitor the body reactions of your child or you and make adjustments in order to find the most effective treatment. These powerful medicines can cause side effects ranging from sleep disorders, irritability and serious cardiovascular events.
Ritalin is a drug that contains the active ingredient methylphenidate, and is a central nervous system stimulant. It increases the levels of neurotransmitters norepinephrine and dopamine, chemical compounds that are associated with control and attention. It also enhances your concentration and reduces restlessness and hyperactivity. adult add medications can cause serious heart problems, including strokes and sudden deaths for patients who suffer from certain medical conditions. These include heart rhythm disturbances and high blood pressure and a history or heart attack and cardiovascular disease.
Ritalin like other stimulant medications, can cause weight loss and a decrease in appetite. It may also raise your your child's blood pressure and pulse rate slightly. If you have heart issues or a pre-existing health condition Your doctor will closely monitor your blood pressure.
Other side effects include anxiety and depression. These effects can affect children's behavior, which can be particularly challenging for children who are still young. In some instances, it may cause tics or TouretteaEUR(tm)s syndrome, which is repetitive movements and sounds such as eye blinking or clearing the throat. It can also cause a slowing of growth in children and teenagers. However, this is usually temporary and doesn't affect their final height.
There are many types of this medication, which are available by prescription only. The medication is available in the form of a tablet that can be chewed, dissolved, or swallowed. It is also available in the form of a capsule, which is then opened and sprinkled over food or liquid. Some people choose to use an ingredient that acts quickly and lasts between three and six hours. Some people take it for a longer time, which requires more dose.
adult add medication can interact with other drugs such as antidepressants and monoamine oxidase (MAOI) inhibitors. This medication may also increase the risk of angle closure glaucoma, a potentially deadly adverse side consequence.
Interactions
Many medications have the potential to interact with other medications or substances, which may alter their effects. Certain interactions could be harmful and even life-threatening. Inform your doctor about any other medications you and your child is taking, such as vitamins and supplements and over-the-counter drugs. Ritalin may interact with certain antidepressants, especially those containing monoamine inhibitors of oxidase (MAOIs).
MAOIs increase dopamine and norepinephrine levels in the brain. This can cause serious side effects, including suicidal ideas or actions, seizures, and hallucinations. Ritalin is not recommended for individuals with issues with circulation such as Raynaud's syndrome or high pressure. It can also aggravate symptoms for those suffering from Tourette syndrome and tics.
Certain fMRI studies have shown that a high dose of methylphenidate given to medication responders during stop-and-time discrimination tasks increased activation of the right inferior frontal cortex (IFC), medial cingulate cortex (MCC), anterior cingulate (ACC) and the striatum. These changes were accompanied with normalization of the subactivation in the same regions under non-medicament and placebo conditions.
These results support the idea that methylphenidate exerts its effect on behavior through the increase of extracellular dopamine and norepinephrine, which improve performance in stop and time-discrimination tasks. However, additional fMRI and behavioral data suggest that the mechanism is more complex than the increased levels of dopamine and norepinephrine. Particularly, psychostimulants are believed to block the reuptake of dopamine in some areas, such as the striatum, but not other areas, such as the frontal lobes.
In one study, a mixture between stimulants and nonstimulants reduced symptoms of ADHD in children with moderate to severe cases. However, in a few patients the combination didn't perform as well as the single drug. Most people don't require medication to cope with ADHD. Training in skills and behavior therapy can assist many people in learning more effective strategies for coping.
Clinical trials haven't proved that the name-brand Ritalin is superior to the generic version. Both drugs are chemically same, so they should both have similar effects on the majority of people.
Overdose
Methylphenidate more commonly referred to as Ritalin, is a central nervous system stimulant that can help improve concentration, focus, and mood when used according to the prescribed dosage. It has also been shown to be effective in treating ADD/ADHD and the disorder known as narcolepsy. But, as with any drug that alters the brain, if misused or taken in large amounts, overdoses can occur. This could lead to stroke, heart attack, or coma. Being aware of symptoms of a Ritalin overdose is critical for stopping these symptoms and taking the necessary action to seek medical treatment.
A Ritalin overdose can be caused by a number of causes. For instance, a person may accidentally take too much because they forget to re-dose their medication. Other substances may interact with the drug to increase its effects, or they could be taking it for recreational purposes and not know how to dose it. Additionally, long-term use of Ritalin could lead to tolerance and psychological dependence that can cause addiction. Ritalin should only be used by those with an addiction history.
Contact 911 immediately if you are experiencing an overdose of Ritalin. First responders should know the dosage, when it was taken, and if they have taken any other drugs or substances. The emergency response team will be able to decide on the best way to treat the patient. They will usually use the stomach pump (a procedure called gastriclavage) to eliminate any excess drug from the body before they can be taken up by the bloodstream.
Ritalin can trigger seizures, and anyone who is who is experiencing these symptoms should be carefully monitored by a medical professional. Fluids and antiseizure medication are a way to treat seizures. Additionally, the patient may be given activated charcoal to stop any further substance from entering the body. The hospital staff can cool the patient down with fans or mists cool water if they feel hot.
If you're given Ritalin, make sure to store it in a secure location where children cannot reach it. Ask your pharmacist whether they have a return-to-prescription program. Don't keep any expired or unused medicine. Mix the medicine that is not used with cat litter or ground coffee and then throw it away.