ADHD Treatment Medication
Stimulants are among the most frequently prescribed medications for ADHD and can boost and balance levels of brain chemicals. However, they don't solve the problem and will only aid in managing symptoms so long as they are used regularly.
The side 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 is the most widely prescribed drug to treat ADHD. It is available in various forms, including chewable tablets with liquid, an orally disintegrating tablet that acts long and has an extended release. The drug is effective by increasing the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain, helping to enhance concentration. It may also reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression. Methylphenidate is an effective treatment for ADHD in conjunction with other treatments, such as behavioural therapy.
Methylphenidate is a drug that blocks transporters that are normally responsible for removing these neurotransmitters from the brain. The medication can cause a slight increase in heart rate and blood pressure. It may also trigger rapid changes in blood sugar levels, which is why diabetics should be careful when taking this medication. Speak to your doctor when 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 however, it is crucial to notify your doctor if you experience these symptoms.
There is a concern that methylphenidate slows children's growth, but this has not been proved to be the case. If you have a child who is being treated with methylphenidate be sure to keep track of the child's height and weight closely. If your child is taking a methylphenidate tablet that contains phenylalanine, it could pose a risk to children with Phenylketonuria. Ask your doctor about an alternative methylphenidate formulation when you suffer from PKU.
Some people have difficulty with stimulants which are the most popular option for treating ADHD. In these instances, doctors may prescribe other medications that work in a similar manner. There are other stimulants, like dexamfetamine or lisdexamfetamine, besides methylphenidate. These are more powerful than methylphenidate and may last longer. They are usually taken every day, either twice or three times, but some people might be able take them more often. Psychological treatments are also available to treat ADHD however they are less likely to prove beneficial than stimulants.
Atomoxetine
Atomoxetine is also known as Strattera and is a nonstimulant ADHD drug that increases concentration while decreasing hyperactivity and impulsiveness. It's part of a class of drugs known as selective norepinephrine-reuptake inhibitors. It increases levels of dopamine and norepinephrine, two chemical messengers that control the brain's activity. It is a preferred option for adults and children who prefer a different type of medication than stimulants such as Adderall and Vyvanse.
It is crucial to understand that atomoxetine isn't a drug that works instantly. It may take up to six weeks before the effects of this drug are evident. You may also experience adverse effects like drowsiness and nausea. For most patients the advantages of taking atomoxetine far outweigh any risk.
The effectiveness of atomoxetine was verified in a double-blind, multisite placebo-controlled study with 297 ADHD patients aged 12 to 18. Participants were randomly assigned to receive either atomoxetine in a daily dose of 0.6 mg/kg or 1.2 mg/kg or a placebo over a period of 9 weeks. Both the atomoxetine group as well as the placebo group experienced a reduction in depression symptoms. The atomoxetine treatment group had more improvement in ADHD symptoms compared to the placebo group. The improvement was sporadic.
In another open trial in another open trial, 10 patients with ADHD who failed to respond to stimulants were treated with atomoxetine for 8 weeks. The group treated with atomoxetine showed improvement in ADHD symptoms compared to placebo group, with scores on the Conners Adult ADHD Rating Scale Investigator Rated Screening version as well as the Clinical Global Impressions of Severity scale increasing significantly. One patient was unable to continue treatment due to an skin rash. Three patients reported intermittent gastrointestinal problems and one experienced increased fatigue (Kratochvil and co., 2005).
Talk to your doctor prior to you start treatment with atomoxetine regarding your medical history, including any medications or supplements you're taking. This includes herbal remedies as well as over the counter medicines. It is crucial to inform your doctor if there is narrow-angle glaucoma or a thyroid tumor or adrenal gland tumor and high blood pressure heart disease or an unusually sudden death. Also, avoid atomoxetine if taken an MAO inhibitor like isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue injection rasagiline, phenelzine, or tranylcypromine, in the past 14 days.
Bupropion
Bupropion is a nonstimulant that can help improve symptoms of ADHD. It can also reduce impulsivity and increase concentration, but it does not affect the brain in the same way as stimulants do. Only prescriptions are accepted. Your doctor will determine the best dosage for you. Bupropion is available in tablets and extended-release capsules. It is essential to follow the directions. There are withdrawal symptoms that can occur in the event that you stop abruptly.
The usual dosage is two or three doses per day separated by 4-6 hours. The dosage can range between 100mg and three times a day to 150mg three or four times every day. The drug is taken up by the digestive system and excreted into urine. It is not able to enter breast milk. It can, however, enter the bloodstream and cause damage to other organs. Bupropion may increase blood pressure, making it important to monitor it frequently.
Bupropion, in addition to improving ADHD symptoms it can also help reduce depression. It is also used to treat bipolar disorder. It works by blocking the dopamine receptors that are located in your brain. This blocks the neurotransmitter, dopamine, from entering your brain. This helps to stabilize your mood.
Bupropion may interact with other drugs. Inform your doctor if you are taking any other medications. It's important to let your doctor know if you are suffering from any allergies. It is also important to avoid caffeine or other stimulants, which could make the adverse effects more severe.
Numerous studies have compared bupropion to placebos in adults with ADHD. The results of these studies were mixed, and most studies were not conducted properly. Many of these studies did not include participants with psychiatric co-morbidity. The research suggests that bupropion has a small effect on ADHD. More research is needed to determine the positive effects for patients, including the improvement in their quality of living. Before effective treatments can be created, it is necessary to have a better understanding of the molecular causes of ADHD. This requires a deeper understanding of the relationship between the various molecular pathways. It's also important to understand how anti-ADHD drugs function in conjunction with psychotherapy.
Tricyclic antidepressants
Antidepressants are often prescribed by doctors when stimulants prescribed to children with ADHD are not effective or cause adverse side adverse effects. These medications, like imipramine and Nortriptyline, (Aventyl and Pamelor), increase the neurotransmitters dopamine as well as norepinephrine in the brain, which aids in helping people concentrate. These older drugs can have severe adverse consequences. They are usually only employed when other drugs do not work.
The first choice of depression treatment is typically a serotonin-reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) like fluoxetine, sertraline, or citalopram. adult add medication continue to be used in some cases, despite their long history. They are also effective in treating neuropathic pain. They have a second pain-relieving action that is distinct from their antidepressant activity. They potentiate the noradrenephrine receptor by blocking its reuptake. They also act as descending moderators for pain pathways in spinal cord.
SSRIs have a lower risk of toxicity and less serious side effects than tricyclic antidepressants. They are also safer during pregnancy and don't appear to be teratogenic for animals or humans. However, they may cause severe withdrawal symptoms if abruptly stopped. Your doctor may suggest slowly reducing the dose over a few weeks to lessen the negative effects.
Bupropion, a common antidepressant that is prescribed off-label for treating ADHD but isn't FDA approved as a drug for adhd. It's thought to work by increasing the neurotransmitters norepinephrine and dopamine and acetylcholine in the brain to improve concentration. It is also believed to reduce anxiety and stress. It can be combined with stimulants to produce quicker and lasting results.
While there aren't any FDA-approved nonstimulant drugs for ADHD Many people feel relief through the use of nutritional supplements and herbs. A diet that is low in fat and sugar may help reduce ADHD symptoms. Certain people can also benefit by abstaining from caffeine. Tell your doctor all medicines you or your child are taking as well as herbal remedies and over-the-counter medicines. This will minimize unwanted side effects as well as prevent interactions. ADHD medications can affect people differently. It could take a bit of trial and error before you determine the best dosage and dose for your child or you.