ADHD Treatment Medication
Stimulants are the most commonly prescribed medication for ADHD, and appear to increase and regulate levels of brain chemicals. They do not treat the disorder, but rather manage symptoms if they are taken regularly.
The adverse effects of ADHD medication may include a change in heart rate and blood pressure as well as upset stomach, anxiety and tics. Some teens and children who are taking stimulant medication notice a slight slowing in their growth.
Methylphenidate
Methylphenidate is a stimulant for the central nervous system and the most commonly prescribed medication for ADHD. It is available in many forms such as a chewable tablet that is liquid, a long-acting orally disintegrating tablet, and an extended-release pill. The drug increases the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain, which help to enhance concentration. It may also reduce the symptoms of depression and anxiety. Methylphenidate is an effective treatment for ADHD when combined with other treatments, like behavioural therapy.
Methylphenidate blocks the transporters that remove these neurotransmitters from the brain. The medication can cause a slight increase in blood pressure and heart rate. People who suffer from diabetes should be on guard when taking this medication as it could cause an abrupt rise in blood sugar. Talk to your doctor if you have any of these symptoms. Methylphenidate can also trigger Raynaud's phenomenon that causes numbness in the fingers and feet. This is a rare, but serious side effect. It is crucial to notify your doctor if these symptoms develop.
There is a concern that methylphenidate slows the growth of children, but it hasn't been proven to be the situation. If your child is taking methylphenidate, be sure to be aware of their weight and height. If your child is taking a methylphenidate chewable tablet that contains phenylalanine which is a risk for children suffering from the genetic disorder phenylketonuria (PKU). Consult your physician about a different methylphenidate formula if you have PKU.
Stimulants are considered the first-choice treatment for ADHD However, some individuals have issues with them. In these cases doctors may prescribe another medication that works in a similar manner. Apart from methylphenidate there are other stimulants like dexamfetamine and Lisdexamfetamine. These substances can last longer and are stronger than methylphenidate. They are usually taken twice to three times a day, but some people can take them more frequently. There are also psychological treatments for ADHD, but these are not as effective as stimulants.
Atomoxetine
Atomoxetine is also known as Strattera and is a non-stimulant adhd medication making it worse medication that improves concentration while decreasing hyperactivity and impulsiveness. It belongs to a class called selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors. It works by increasing levels of norepinephrine and dopamine, two chemical messengers which control the brain activity. It is popular among children and adults who want a different medication than stimulants like Adderall or Vyvanse.
It is important to know that atomoxetine does not work immediately. It may take up to six weeks before the effects of this drug begin to show. There are also adverse effects like nausea and drowsiness. However, the benefits of atomoxetine far outweigh the risks for a majority of patients.
The effectiveness of atomoxetine was verified in a double-blind, multisite placebo-controlled study involving 297 ADHD patients between the ages of 12 and 18. Participants were randomly assigned to receive atomoxetine at a daily dose of 0.6 mg per kilogram or 1.2 mg/kg or a placebo for 9 weeks. Both the atomoxetine and the placebo group experienced a decrease in the symptoms of depression. The atomoxetine treatment group had more improvement in ADHD symptoms than the placebo group. The improvement was modest.
In another open trial in another open trial, 10 patients with ADHD who failed to respond to stimulants were treated with atomoxetine over 8 weeks. The group treated with atomoxetine showed improvement in ADHD symptoms in comparison to placebo, with scores on the Conners Adult ADHD Scale Investigator Screening version rated and Clinical Global Impression of Severity scales improving significantly. One patient withdrew due to an rash. Three patients experienced gastrointestinal issues that were transient and one patient reported fatigue that was more severe (Kratochvil and co., 2005).
Talk to your doctor prior to you start treatment with atomoxetine about your medical history, including any supplements or medications you take. This includes herbal remedies as well as over-the-counter medications. It is particularly important to tell your doctor if you have narrow-angle glaucoma or a thyroid tumor or adrenal gland tumor and high blood pressure heart disease, or a history of sudden death. Also, avoid atomoxetine if you have taken an MAO inhibitor, such as isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue injection rasagiline, phenelzine, or tranylcypromine, in the past 14 days.
Bupropion
Bupropion, a non stimulant adhd medications for adults-stimulant that is a non-stimulant, can aid in reducing ADHD symptoms. It also helps to reduce impulsivity and improve focus, though it does not affect the brain in the same way as stimulants do. Only prescriptions are approved. Your doctor will determine the most appropriate dosage for you. Bupropion is available in tablets and extended-release capsules. It is essential to take the medication as prescribed. If you stop taking it abruptly you may experience withdrawal symptoms.
The typical dosage is two or three doses daily separated by 4-6 hours. The dosage can vary from 100 mg two or three times daily to 150 mg three or four times a day. The drug is absorbed by the digestive tract and is excreted in urine, which means that it can't enter breast milk. However, it could enter the bloodstream and cause harm to other organs. Bupropion can increase your blood pressure, which is why it's vital to monitor it regularly.
In addition to reducing the symptoms of ADHD, bupropion can also reduce depression. It can also be used to treat bipolar disorder. It is a method of blocking dopamine receptors inside your brain. This prevents the neurotransmitter dopamine from entering your brain, which helps stabilize your mood.
Bupropion can interact with other drugs. Inform your doctor if you're taking any other medication. It's also important to determine whether you suffer from any allergies. Avoid caffeine and other stimulants because they can make side effects worse.
Numerous studies have compared bupropion with placebos in adults with ADHD. These studies yielded mixed results and were not conducted properly. Furthermore, many of them excluded people with psychiatric comorbidity. However, the research suggests that bupropion may have a small effect on ADHD. Further research is needed to determine positive outcomes for patients, including the improvement in their quality of living. Furthermore, a better understanding of the molecular subtypes of ADHD is needed before effective treatment can be created. This requires a deeper understanding of the connection between the different molecular pathways. It's also important to understand how anti-intuniv adhd medication drugs function in conjunction with psychotherapy.
Tricyclic antidepressants
Antidepressants can be prescribed by doctors if stimulants prescribed to children with ADHD are not effective or cause side effects. These medications, including imipramine and nortriptyline (Aventyl, Pamelor), work by increasing the neurotransmitters dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain to aid in concentration. These older drugs may cause serious adverse consequences. They are generally only employed when other drugs are not working.
The first option for antidepressants in depression is usually a serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) such as fluoxetine, sertraline, or citalopram. However, tricyclic antidepressants that have been around for a long time, can be used in certain situations. They also work in treating neuropathic pain and have an additional pain-relieving effect which is distinct from their antidepressant activity. They increase the potency of noradrenephrine by reducing its reuptake and also act as lower modulators of pain pathways in the spinal cord.
SSRIs are less harmful and have fewer side effects than tricyclic antidepressants. They are also less harmful during pregnancy and do not appear to be teratogenic to humans or animals. But they can have significant withdrawal symptoms if they are stopped abruptly. Your doctor may suggest slowly lowering the dose over several weeks to minimize these effects.
Bupropion, an antidepressant commonly prescribed off-label to treat ADHD, is not FDA approved as an adhd drug. It is believed to work by increasing the neurotransmitters norepinephrine and dopamine and acetylcholine within the brain to increase concentration. It is also believed to ease anxiety and can be utilized in conjunction with stimulants for more rapid and sustained results.
Although there aren't any other FDA-approved nonstimulant drugs for ADHD, many people do get relief from the use of supplements to their diets and herbs. A diet low in fat and sugar can aid in reducing ADHD symptoms. Some people may benefit from avoiding caffeine. Tell your doctor all medications that you or your child are taking such as herbal remedies and prescription drugs. This will help prevent interactions and reduce the risk of unwanted adverse effects. ADHD medication can affect people differently. It may take some trial and error to discover the ideal dosage and dose for your child or yourself.