ADHD Treatment Medication
Stimulants, the most commonly prescribed treatment for ADHD, appear to regulate brain chemicals and boost their levels. They are not able to cure the disorder and only manage symptoms if they are taken regularly.
The side effects of ADHD medication can include changes in blood pressure and heart rate, anxiety and tics. Some teens and children who take stimulant drugs have a slight decrease in their growth.
Methylphenidate
Methylphenidate is a stimulant for the central nervous system and is the most widely prescribed medication for ADHD. It comes in a variety forms such as a liquid, chewable tablet, a long-acting orally disintegrating tablet and an extended-release pill. The drug increases the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain. This helps to improve concentration. It can also help to reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety. Methylphenidate is a proven treatment for ADHD when combined with other treatments, such as behavioural therapy.
Methylphenidate blocks the transporters that eliminate these neurotransmitters naturally from the brain. The drug could cause a slight increase in heart rate or blood pressure. It can also cause rapid changes in blood sugar levels, so diabetics should be aware when taking this medication. Consult your physician if you have any of these symptoms. Methylphenidate may also cause Raynaud’s phenomenon that causes numbness in the feet and fingers. This is a rare side effect but it is important to tell your doctor if you are experiencing these symptoms.
There is a concern that methylphenidate slows children's growth, however this has not been proven to be the situation. If your child is taking methylphenidate, ensure that you keep an eye on their weight and height. If your child is taking chewable tablets containing methylphenidate that contains phenylalanine which can be dangerous for children with the genetic disorder phenylketonuria (PKU). Consult your physician about a different formulation of methylphenidate when you suffer from PKU.
Some people are unable to take stimulants, which are the first treatment for ADHD. In these instances, doctors might prescribe another medication that performs in a similar manner. Apart from methylphenidate there are other stimulants such as dexamfetamine and the lisdexamfetamine. These drugs can last longer and are more potent than methylphenidate. The typical dosage is twice or three times daily However, some people might be able to 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 called Strattera and is a non-stimulant ADHD drug that increases concentration, while decreasing hyperactivity and impulsiveness. most effective adhd medication for adults of a group of medications called selective norepinephrine receptor inhibitors. It is a stimulant of dopamine and norepinephrine, two chemical messengers that regulate the brain's activity. It is a favorite choice for children and adults who prefer a different type of medication than stimulants, such as Adderall and Vyvanse.
It is crucial to understand that atomoxetine does not work immediately. It could take up to six weeks before the effects of this medication are evident. There is also the possibility of experiencing negative side effects, such as nausea and drowsiness. For most patients, the benefits of taking atomoxetine outweigh any risks.
In a double-blind placebo-controlled study conducted on 297 ADHD patients aged between 12 and 18 years old, the effectiveness of atomoxetine has been verified. Participants were randomly assigned to receive atomoxetine in a daily dose of 0.6 mg/kg or 1.2 mg/kg or a placebo for 9 weeks. Both the atomoxetine group as well as the placebo group experienced reduction in depression symptoms. The atomoxetine treatment group had better improvement in ADHD symptoms compared to the placebo group. The improvement was not significant.
In a second open study that included 10 ADHD patients who were not responding to stimulants received an atomoxetine treatment over 8 weeks. The group treated with atomoxetine showed improvement in ADHD symptoms compared to the placebo group, with scores on the Conners Adult ADHD Rating Scale Investigator Rated Screening version and Clinical Global Impressions of Severity scale gaining significant. However, one patient experienced an rash and resigned from the study. In addition, three patients reported transient gastrointestinal disturbances and one experienced increased fatigue (Kratochvil and co., 2005).
Before you begin treatment with atomoxetine with your physician about your health history and any other medications or supplements that you are taking. This includes herbal remedies as well as over the counter medicines. It is especially important to tell your doctor if you have narrow-angle glaucoma, thyroid tumor or adrenal gland tumor and high blood pressure heart disease or a history of sudden death. You should also be wary of atomoxetine in the event that you have taken an MAO inhibitor, such as isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue injection rasagiline, phenelzine, or tranylcypromine within the last 14 days.
Bupropion
Bupropion is a non-stimulant drug that can help improve symptoms of ADHD. It can also reduce the impulsivity of children and improve concentration. However it doesn't affect the brain the similar way that stimulants do. It's only available on prescription. Your doctor will determine the best dosage for you. Bupropion comes in tablets as well as extended-release capsules. It is important to follow the prescriptions. There are withdrawal symptoms that can occur in the event that you stop abruptly.
It is usually taken two or three times daily with a gap of 4-6 hours between each dose. The dosage can vary from 100 mg two or three times per day up to 150 mg three or four times daily. The drug is absorbed by the digestive tract, and then eliminated into urine, meaning it cannot be absorbed into breast milk. However, it could enter the bloodstream and affect other organs. Bupropion may increase blood pressure, so it's vital to monitor it regularly.
In addition to improving the symptoms of ADHD Bupropion can also reduce depression. It can also be used to treat bipolar disorder. It works by blocking the dopamine receptors that are located in your brain. This blocks the neurotransmitter dopamine from reaching your brain, which helps to regulate your mood.
Bupropion can interact with other medications It's therefore important to tell your doctor about any other medications you're taking. It's essential to let your doctor know if you have any allergies. Avoid caffeine and other stimulants because they can cause side effects to become worse.
Several studies have compared bupropion to placebos in adults with ADHD. The results of these studies were mixed and most studies were not conducted properly. Additionally, many excluded people with psychiatric comorbidity. However, the research suggests that bupropion can have a slight impact on ADHD. However there is a need for more research to identify positive outcomes for patients like improvements in quality of life. Before effective treatments can be created, it is necessary to understand the underlying causes of the molecular causes of ADHD. This requires a deeper understanding of the connection between the different molecular pathways. Moreover, it's critical to understand how different anti-ADHD medications work with psychotherapy.
Tricyclic antidepressants
Antidepressants may be prescribed by doctors when stimulants prescribed for children with ADHD do not work or cause side effects. These medications, such as imipramine and Nortriptyline, (Aventyl and Pamelor) are able to increase the neurotransmitters dopamine as well as norepinephrine in the brain, which help people to focus. These are older medications that can have challenging adverse effects, so they're usually only used when other medications have failed.
The first choice for depression-related antidepressants is typically a serotonin-reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), such as sertraline, fluoxetine or citalopram. Tricyclic antidepressants are still used in some cases despite their long history. They are effective in treating neuropathic pain and other conditions but their antidepressant action is not the same. They potentiate noradrenephrine by inhibiting its reuptake and also act as lower modulators of pain pathways in the spinal cord.
SSRIs have less risk of toxicity and have less severe side effects than tricyclic antidepressants. They're also safer in pregnancy and do not appear to cause teratogenicity in humans or animals. However, they can cause significant withdrawal symptoms if stopped suddenly. Your doctor may suggest slowly reducing the dose over a few weeks to reduce the effects.
Although not officially recognized by the FDA as a treatment for adhd bupropion is commonly prescribed antidepressant off-label to treat ADHD. It's thought to be effective by increasing the neurotransmitters norepinephrine and dopamine and acetylcholine in the brain, which improves concentration. It also has been proven to reduce anxiety, and it can be used in conjunction with stimulants to get faster and lasting results.
There are no FDA-approved non-stimulant ADHD medications, however many people experience relief from herbal remedies and supplements to their diets. A diet low on sugar and fat may also help to reduce ADHD symptoms. Similarly, eliminating caffeine can also be helpful for some. Discuss with your doctor any medicines you or your child take as well as herbal remedies and over-the-counter medicines. This will help prevent interactions and minimize unwanted side effects. ADHD medication can affect each 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.