How To Explain ADHD Medication Ritalin To A Five-Year-Old
ADHD Medication - Ritalin
Ritalin is a medication used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. It helps improve brain communication, which reduces ADHD.
ADHD medication can have adverse effects, such as reduced appetite and difficulty sleeping. However, the majority of these are minor and go away by themselves or with time.
Dosage
Ritalin boosts the levels of norepinephrine and dopamine in your brain, which are important neurotransmitters responsible for controlling motivation as well as action and cognition. It is a psychostimulant which has been used since decades. It is considered safe when you take it in the prescribed dosages under the guidance of your doctor.
However there have been instances of abuse and addiction even when the drug is taken in therapeutic doses. Therefore, doctors must assess each patient for danger and monitor their symptoms throughout treatment. It is also important to educate patients and their families about the risk of harm and the necessity of proper disposal of any unused medication. It is recommended to use a locked medicine container that will stop children from taking unneeded medication. It's also a good idea to tell patients not to divulge their medication to anyone.
This medication may cause suicidal thoughts or behaviors particularly in those who are depressed, bipolar or have an history of mental illness. Consult your doctor immediately if you experience any of these symptoms. This medication can also raise your blood pressure, which can cause heart or stroke. Call your doctor right away when you experience a high heart rate, chest pain, or sweating. Inform your doctor if you have a 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 and pain in your toes or fingers. It can also make it hard to fall asleep.
It isn't clear if the brand-name version of this medicine is more efficient than the generic version. However, many doctors prefer to use the brand-name version due its proven safety and effectiveness. It is also important to remember that this medication can be abused and should never be given to someone who isn't suffering from adhd medication private prescription or Narcolepsy.
Some people have reported that this medication is more effective than others, however this is purely anecdotal and hasn't been proven scientifically. Some parents have stated that their children react differently to name-brand versus generic methylphenidate. However, this is not necessarily true for every child.
Side effects
When starting medications to treat adhd inattentive type medication it takes some time to find the right dose. A doctor will be able to monitor your child's or your own's bodily reactions and adjust until they discover the most effective treatment. These medications are potent and may cause adverse effects, from irritability and sleep issues to serious cardiovascular events.
Ritalin is a central nervous system stimulant that has methylphenidate as the active ingredient. It works by increasing levels of neurotransmitters norepinephrine and dopamine, chemical compounds that are associated with control and attention. It also improves your concentration and decreases anxiety and restlessness. Ritalin can trigger serious heart issues, including strokes and sudden deaths for patients who suffer from certain medical conditions. These include heart rhythm disorders and high blood pressure as well as an underlying cardiac arrest or cardiovascular disease.
Similar to other stimulant drugs, Ritalin can cause a decreased appetite and weight loss. It may also increase your child's pulse rate and blood pressure. This could be a problem if you have a preexisting heart condition or other heart issues and your doctor will keep close eye on your blood pressure and heart rate.
Other side effects include changes to mood, such as depression and anxiety. These side effects can also affect children's behavior, which is particularly difficult for children who are still young. In certain instances, it may cause symptoms such as tics or TouretteaEUR(tm)s syndrome, which is repetitive movements and sounds such as eye blinking or clearing the throat. It can also slow growth in adolescents and children. However, this is usually temporary and doesn't affect their final height.
There are several types of this medication, that are available on prescription only. The medication is available in the form of a tablet that can be chewed, dissolved, or swallowed. It may also be available in the form of a capsule that is opened and sprinkled over liquid or food items. Some people use the formula that has a short-acting effect and lasts between three and six hours. Others prefer it to be long-term which requires more dosage.
This medication may interact with other medications, such as antidepressants or monoamine oxide (MAOI) inhibitors. It could also increase your or your child's chance of suffering from a potentially fatal side effect, angle closure glaucoma.
Interactions
Many medications interact with other substances or drugs. This can i get adhd meds without a diagnosis change the effects. Certain interactions could be harmful or even fatal. Tell your doctor what other medications you or your child take, including vitamins and supplements and over-the-counter drugs. Ritalin can interact with other antidepressants. This is especially relevant for those that contain monoamine oxide (MAOI) inhibitors.
MAOIs increase the levels of norepinephrine and dopamine in the brain. This can lead to serious side effects, including suicidal ideas or seizures, actions, or hallucinations. Ritalin is not recommended for individuals who suffer from circulatory issues such as Raynaud's syndrome or high pressure. It can also aggravate symptoms in those suffering from Tourette syndrome and tics.
A few fMRI studies have revealed that an acute dose of methylphenidate given to responders to medication during stop-and time discrimination tasks increased activation of the right inferior frontal cortex (IFC) medial cingulate cortex, anterior cingulate (ACC) and the striatum. These changes were accompanied by a normalization of underactivation in placebo and off-medication conditions in the same regions.
These results show that methylphenidate improves performance in stop and timing discrimination tasks by increasing extracellular norepinephrine and dopamine. Other fMRI and behavioral data suggest the mechanism is more complicated than the increased levels of dopamine and norepinephrine. Particularly, psychostimulants are believed to inhibit the reuptake of dopamine in certain areas, such as the striatum, but not other areas, like the frontal lobes.
In one study, a mix between stimulants and nonstimulants reduced ADHD-like symptoms in children who can prescribe adhd medication (Http://bitetheass.com/) had moderate to severe cases. In some cases however, the combination didn't perform like one drug. The use of medications is not the sole treatment for ADHD, and most people don't require medications to manage the condition. Skills training and behavior therapy can help a lot of people develop more effective strategies for coping.
There are reports that name-brand Ritalin is more effective than the generic form, but this has not been confirmed by clinical trials. Both drugs are chemically same, which means they will both have the same effects on most people.
Overdose
Methylphenidate is also known as Ritalin is a stimulant of the central nervous system that can improve concentration, focus and mood when taken according to the prescribed dosage. It has also been proven effective in treating ADD/ADHD and narcolepsy. It is possible to overdose with any substance that alters brain function. This can lead to heart attack, stroke, or even coma. Being aware of signs of a Ritalin overdose is crucial to preventing these symptoms and taking the appropriate action to seek medical treatment.
A Ritalin overdose can result from a variety of factors. For instance, a person may accidentally take too much due to the fact that they don't remember to take a dose re-supplement. They may also consume other substances that may affect the drug and enhance its effects or they could be taking it for recreational purposes and aren't aware of how to dose it correctly. In addition, long-term usage of Ritalin can lead to tolerance and psychological dependence that can cause addiction. In the end people with an history of abuse of stimulants or other drugs should only take Ritalin under the supervision of a physician.
Anyone suffering from a Ritalin overdose should dial 911 immediately. First responders should know the dosage, when it was taken and if they've consumed any other medications or substances. The emergency response team will be able to more accurately determine how to treat the patient. Typically, they pump the stomach, a process called gastric lavage, to remove any excess drugs from the body before it can be taken into the bloodstream.
Ritalin may trigger seizures. People who experience these symptoms should therefore be closely monitored by medical experts. Fluids and antiseizure medication are a way to treat them. Activated charcoal is also given to the patient in order to stop the drugs 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 be sure to keep it in a secure place where children are not able to reach it. You can also inquire with your pharmacist about a take-back program. Don't keep any expired or unused medicine. Mix the medicine that is not used with ground coffee or cat litter and throw it out.