Add ADHD Medications to Your Treatment Plan
Stimulants can lessen ADHD symptoms for 70% to 80percent of children and adults. They can't cure ADHD and the side effects can be annoying.
Your doctor will prescribe you the best medicine for you as well as the correct dosage and schedule. You may need to stop certain medications like tricyclic antidepressants before starting stimulants.
Stimulants
Stimulants stimulate the activity of certain regions of the brain that aid in controlling attention and behavior. They are among the most popular medication used to treat ADHD. They are available as tablets with immediate release or extended-release capsules, as well as chewable tablets for children who have difficulty swallowing. These medications can be prescribed for a child, teen or adult. Some patients who take this medication experience adverse reactions. They can be mild or serious. If they are a concern the medication might need to be altered or the dosage adjusted.
Methylphenidate is the most commonly used stimulant medication used to treat ADHD. It's also referred to by the brand name Ritalin. Methylphenidate is a drug that blocks the reuptake of norepinephrine and dopamine in the brain by increasing their levels and enhancing attention and focus. Read the Full Write-up is available in tablets or an extended-release tablet that is taken once a day in the morning. The chewable version is suitable for children who have difficulties swallowing liquids or pills. It is made of beads and is easy to chew.
It's also available as a skin patch that releases medicine slowly over the course of a single day. The majority of medications are given in the form of small doses at first, which may be gradually increased as time passes. Most patients who take these drugs will see their doctor or GP regularly to monitor how they're doing and check for any indications of problems.
Amphetamines were the most popular stimulant drugs until recently. Truck drivers, students, and athletes abused them to stay alert and increase their energy levels. People with eating disorders used them to lose weight. Amphetamines are extremely addictive and can cause psychotic symptoms like hallucinations and delirium. Amphetamines, in contrast to other ADHD medications, are classified as Schedule II drugs, which means that they can be used to treat addiction. These medications are frequently combined with alcohol or illegal substances such as cocaine by people who misuse them. This increases the likelihood of addiction.
There are a lot of options available for those who have to take add ADHD medications. In addition to stimulants, there are many non-stimulant drugs that have been approved for ADHD treatment in children and adults. These drugs differ from stimulants, but can aid in the improvement of ADHD symptoms. They don't produce the same kind of highs and lows that can be seen with some stimulant medications.
These include Guanfacine (brand name Toleranse), Atomoxetine (brand name Strattera), and viloxazine (brand name Qelbree). These medications affect different brain receptors than stimulants do and have less effect on a child's blood pressure or heart rate. The precise way in which these drugs work to treat ADHD isn't completely understood however, they are believed to boost the activity of certain neurons in the prefrontal cortex. They may stop excessive stimulation of noradrenergic D1 receptors and dopamine a2-adrenoceptors within this region, which could interfere spatial working memory function. This area is a research area that is in the process of being explored. Research suggests that these drugs may be more effective than stimulants in improving ADHD symptoms, especially in children.